The best part of going to AYC this year was getting a taste of what that concept of taking refuge means. Many Buddhists chant:  While on the path to enlightenment, I go to refuge to the Buddha, I go to refuge to the Dharma, I go to refuge to the sangha. AYC was my sangha, The teacher’s sharing of their memories and knowledge was my dharma, and the Buddha like everybody knows is everywhere. When I needed it the most, I took refuge in my practice, and it embraced and sheltered my like the most tender grandmother. I figured this out while sharing a little bit of what went on this weekend with my fellow shala mates. I left for San Diego in the middle of crazy time, and the only option on how not to think obsessively about what could go wrong was to go inward and think of nothing else but the practice session. I always wondered if I was going to ever experience going inward during an entire practice. Nothing like a sh*t storm to make your wishes come true. I even had a little bit of fairy dust left for today’s 1/2 primary, even with the tightest back ever, courtesy of  cramped air travel. Nice to be home. Next weekend- now don’t hate me- Tim Feldman at The Yoga Shala in Georgetown CT. There are still some openings for the whole workshop or for just one session if that is what works for you.

I already feel as I’m typing this that Mercury might feel taunted and come and bite my big behind. I am having the best week ever people. My teacher gave me Setu Bandhasana today and then said something like: That’s the last pose of Primary, congratulations, and gave me a little squeeze. I love getting teacher pats in the back. My travel companion for AYC gave me the loveliest gift today because she remembered I had admired it on her wrist, and because I had told her a couple of days earlier that MY DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!! She told us last week to be ready to go to city hall this week to “make this shit legal”. Let’s say Magdalena is not a traditional gal. Her mom bought her every feminist children’s book published in the 80′s and her great aunt had to buy her a Barbie behind my back, and kept it as their secret for several months. She was not on board with the whole girl power thing until her late teens, but boy did she outdo me. I am terrified of my and Ray’s older relatives reaction, but simultaneously relishing it. So  we can’t even buy lunch tomorrow because she does not want any semblance of “the bride’s family has to dish out cash so the groom will take her” But she did agree that we could buy bubbly and I have four bottles of stuff I’ll probably won’t have a chance to afford again anytime soon.  And the next morning, off to San Diego at the crack of dawn. Thank you life! How convinced am I that no non-yogis or family reads this blog huh???