Running On

Last week I attended a transformative yoga class in College Green Park. Jeanelle Boyer, a local yogi, was running across the state and teaching yoga along the way in her LOVE Run 2011. I was fascinated by her inspiration - her great-grandfather walked around the world in 1897.

I've been wanting to do more yoga, since I feel so great each time, but it's hard for me to justify taking that time for myself. When Bear is sleeping, I have a thousand other things to do for us, or for our house, and spending that time on something for me seems selfish. At the same time, I remember the phrase "babies need happy moms" and think about the benefit yoga does for my injured shoulder, which has been exacerbated through breastfeeding and carrying a car seat. Anyway, Jeanelle's class was at night and was the perfect opportunity for me to leave the boys at home and enjoy a beautiful summer evening in Iowa City.

I was surprised to see the crowd that gathered, probably eighty people were there to support Jeanelle and to learn from the three other teachers who volunteered their time. There is a nice slideshow in the Daily Iowan article (I'm wearing blue pants and a black shirt). During Jeanelle's portion, she asked us during meditation to think about something we were grateful for. It wasn't hard for me! Just then, another instructor's young baby began singing. After a great workout, I felt so relaxed and peaceful and thankful for my life and for a really mostly healthy body.

Peter, meanwhile, continued to exercise his gift for attracting interesting strangers when he spotted Grandpa Woodstock making his way to the Rainbow Gathering. I hope they're back on the road again.

Finally, I got turned on to Stay on Route 6, a great road trip blog about my favorite highway. Since I'll be sticking close to home this summer, I'm enjoying living vicariously through Malerie's adventure.