Wow, coming back for air. I went to the Path of Yoga conference in Miami on the weekend. I went all ready to blog up a storm while I was there, but between technical difficulties and uber-long days it just didn’t happen. Now that my life is slightly sorted again - the bags under my eyes are fetching carry-ons instead of hockey bags - I’m ready to blog again.

Was the conference ever great! I learned from teachers I *never* thought I would see in person. It was incredibly intense, I did 16 hours of yoga in two days. About 10 of those were on Saturday and every teacher kicked our butt. I felt like I was teetering over the edge all day. Usually my yoga weekends are pretty laid back, time to reflect and get connected. This was crazy - 2 minutes of svasana and then out into the hall swept away by the throngs hurrying to water, washrooms and the next session.

I fought the butt kicking for the first couple of sessions - resisting what was being asked because I wanted to save some strength, wondering if I’d have enough anyways, mind scurrying about and then I stopped. I just surrendered to the day and I either had what it took to do what was asked of me, or I didn’t. And either one was ok. Either way I breathed.

The conference did the trick - I came back fired up to teach my classes. I’m doing a two-week focus on back-bends in my Level 2 class thanks to inspiration from Ana Forrest and Amy Ippoliti. I’m trying to have a spirit of adventure in these classes. It’s not about achieving some goal but being playful and maybe doing some things we didn’t think were possible (with support of course).

I helped a woman do a supported Wheel. She’s done yoga for 10 years and it was her first time in that pose. The look on her face when she came out of it was priceless. She was so thrilled and so proud of herself. It was just like me with the butt-kicking - my mind was deciding what my body could do. But the source of intelligence is my body - it’s always game to try.