becoming a yogi

I’ve been getting my shift together for a few months now. I’ve made changes to my diet: not just what I eat but where I buy it, my living practices: being less wasteful and using more natural products, and my spirituality: meditating 2x a day for 15 min each.
The transitions haven’t been syrupy bubbles of delight. Still I struggle with my old SAD ways (those pesky drive thrus are everywhere aren’t they?) but it’s definitely getting better. With all this greater awareness, I ‘m asking lately: what else am I capable of?

For example this cool thing called a body, what could this bad boy really do if I challenged it? Could I stand on my head? Could I actually get in one of those freaky pretzel lotus positions? Could I be the lean strong example of health I’ve always wanted to be? My secret wish has always been to be a yogi. (This is a bit like the secret wish I had in high school to be a cheerleader, but not as shallow) one of those people who isn’t just in shape from exercising so much, but actually has a communion with this body the Universe provided for them. I’ve taken yoga classes and I’ve done a bit of my own practice but I always find some reason to quit.

So today: July 26, 2008 I am ready to take the next excellent step and become:
Lauren Zuniga: YOGA DIVA!!! (for now that means doing 5 sessions of yoga per week)

Here are likely to be my top excuses:

I don’t have time: I work 8-5 and am a single mother of two young kids.
I can’t afford it: yoga classes are not cheap, see the above excuse.
and…. well that’s about it. Time and Money. Those are always the best excuses.

So, here’s the plan:
My dream would be to take classes at the Art of Yoga, a local studio my friend owns that is hands down the best in the state. But they don’t have child care and the classes are 12 bucks each if you buy them individually. However,
I am a member at the local YMCA and I happen to know the guy that teaches a lunch hour yoga class there. He is awesome (and also teaches at AofY). I can attend that 3 days per week: Mon, Wed, Fri. If I did that every week in a month, the classes would average 3 bucks per class! Less than a latte!
They also have an evening class on Tues and Thurs. If I did all 5 (which sounds like a miracle at this point) the cost per class would be less than 2 bucks per class!
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I can go get the kids and take them to the Y with me. Can I leave work and get them and get back to the gym in 30 minutes? Hmmmm….we’ll see.
I’ll need a default plan too!
Default plan, in case I miss a class, is to do a yoga DVD at home. I’d have to do it either in the morning before the kids wake up or in the evening and get them involved ( they love yoga so that’s not hard, it’s just hard to have the peaceful practice I prefer).
The treats: I can take an AofY class on the weekends as a bonus or treat. If I do it for one whole month I will treat myself to 50 bucks worth of Young Living goodies.
That’s worth doing all those crazy poses for!
My mission is to deepen my spirit/body unity through the practice of yoga and meditation.