Day 108

So it's been hard to come up with a way to start today's blog, honestly. So many things have happened and so many things have changed that it's difficult to find a place where to begin.
When I started the UY program I had already been taking yoga for many years. I had some wonderful teachers back in AZ who got the "yoga bug" growing in me. For that I thank them immensly and I miss their presence every day; because even if some people are "here", you can't quite feel their presence. They had that special vibe going on that I miss terribly.
Then I moved all the way to Spain with a broken heart because I was leaving behind my home, my friends and the life that I had built for myself there. The first two years here were the hardest: not because I was miserable or unhappy, but because I was homesick and I longed to see "my people". I totally gave up practicing and just went on to watch the days pass me by all the while trying to find a way to go back to what I had.
As the days and months went by and I saw that no matter how much I obsessed about it, things were not going to change for the moment. I guess I just got tired of feeling so out of place and decided to start making changes. I knew that one of the main things that I needed to go back to was my practice because that always made me feel good with myself and that meant that I would be feeling good with others as well.
In comes this wonderful search engine called Google and voilà! I found the Ultimate Yogi. I bought it feeling a bit sceptical and didn't give it much thought till I started watching the DVDs. I really liked what I saw and I started to get excited about going all in with the program. I found out about the new round starting on May 6th and decided to wait and start along with everyone else. That folks, was a smart decision, because if there's one thing I am grateful for, is having met all these wonderful people that have practiced alongside me.
Down this road I saw many changes in my body and mind. Physically I am stronger and more flexible than I have ever been. I remember I used to wonder about being able to complete 108 SS and as I was doing them effortlessly today I got a HUGE smile on my face. The muscle tone you get? Fabulous!
As for my crazy noggin and all the things that happen in there...well I do believe that I did somehow meet my intention, which was to be more patient. I don't go ballistic as often as I used to and I have learned to stop myself before saying something I will regret. I am a crazy person, don't forget that! But I am taking it easier now.
But what I got most out of this program is the ability to let go of things and people that are not good for me. I have always been the kind of person that tries to avoid going into conflict with others and wants to keep everyone happy. Well sometimes you just have to get real and cut those ties that bind. I always knew I had to do that, but never got the push I needed till I started the program. Listening to Travis and taking the time to find what was wrong with certain things was what did it for me.
What I am most grateful for? The people I have "met" through this program. Funny, witty, crazy, weird, smart and caring people. They have certainly made this journey a memorable one. Here's to meeting some of you along the road! I am sure it will be something I will cherish forever.
To all those of you who have stood by me, cheered me on, read this crazy blog and love me for the whacko that I am I am most grateful and will never forget your kind words and actions.
To Travis, Lauren, Yariv and all the UY gang I owe so much! This truly delivers: I do have that shift inside my eyes. I can only hope I can thank them in person some day.
And to all of you who are reading this and are on the fence about doing this journey: JUST DO IT! I promise it will be all what you expect and more! And when you are done, you'll see that you won't be able to stop, because yoga is a lifestyle, not a mere sport or challenge.
And finally I hope that all this is not all too cheesy because seeing that I am done, I am having some wine and that always makes me so chatty and corny.
As always, sending groovy vibes to all of you out there and I will DEFINITELY see you on the mat!
Namaste.

Ale over and out.

Day 107

So here we are on our last day before finishing the program! With lovely Yin to prepare us for the send off it couldn't have been any better.
I spent the morning just walking around town on my own since the men of the house finally went on that golfing thing they do. I window shopped, had a beer here and there and bought some cute lil' things. It was on the cloudy side today, so it was a morning well spent.
I met up with the dudes for a late lunch at a restaurant close to home and had a veggie and seafood soupy rice for lunch. It could have used more salt, but hey, at least I didn't have to cook it, right?

We later headed home and after fooling around the house for a bit I did that Yin I love so much. It was a slow, bittersweet practice today because even though I'll keep at it, it had that coming to an end finish, ya know? The stretching was super nice and I was feeling pretty mellow after it.
Not sure if I'll have dinner because we had a lot of that rice for lunch and it kinda poofed up in my stomach, so I think I'll skip it all together.
These are exciting times and we should all be freakin' out about having accomplished this task we set out to do. I'll write my testimony tomorrow and will put in this blog so it'll remain here for all those who were kind enough to come along on this ride with me and for those who are yet to come. It's been super motivating to see that so many people have read this and somehow have found something nice to take away with them. That's what it's all about, yes?
Anyway, excited about tomorrow and can't wait to celebrate with you all and read your testimonies.
Wishing you the best of nights!
Namaste.

Day 106

Hello Monday!
My dog decided to say good morning to me by leaving me a good chunk of poo in the hallway. I wonder why? What does it mean? Is it code for something? Am I missing something? Or was it just for funsies? It sure woke me up, tho. Bleh.
Anyway, got to my little list of endless chores to do and ended up doing Gentle close to noon. I had forgotten how much I liked this groovy class! It's got that nice flow going and it's got that sexy feel to it, no? That's a keeper for sure. Those neck rolls always do wonders and I am always grateful no yogi push ups are involved.
*oh God. As I am writing this blog I am listening to my son watching Regular Show and those dialogues are the absolute best. I just can't stop laughing at the complete stupidity of it. Wish there had been these kind of cartoons when I was growing up*
Soooo for lunch today we had raw ahi tuna salad and it was super super good. It had pine nuts, goji berries and all sorts of goodness in it.

In the afternoon I went to buy my son's uniforms for his new school and holy mother of Vishnu did we need a drink afterwards! Even though it was less pricey than his other school, we had to get everything because he's a new student. Ay, ay, ay. It better last, I tell ya.
For dinner I have no clue what I'll have but it'll be right after I watch me some Breaking Bad. Maybe some fruit? Or a salad? Ah...the possibilities! hehe
Tomorrow is THE.LAST.CLASS of the program. Wohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
And it's Yin!
Wohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
What an awesome day it's gonna be.
Namaste.

Day 105

Oh my God. We are on day 105. ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE. How awesome is that?
Today, all that energy that had dumped me yesterday came back with a big whoosh. You can call it good and bad days, mood swings or just plain downright bipolar; but the case is that I got it all back. Not sure why I got it back because yesterday in the wee hours of the morning I went to the bathroom all sleepy and when I was coming back I totally slammed myself against the wall. Slammed hard enough to get an "Are you ok?" from the man who sleeps through Armageddon. Holy pain...
Anyway, I woke up just late enough so that I could do breakfast with a beer and from there my day just took off. I did quick chores in the morning -well, if you wanna call it "morning"- and was super hungry by lunchtime. But of course that we had grilled steaks on a Sunday! This time there was a chimichurri sauce involved and a side salad:

I then told my boys that I was taking the rest of the day off and just plugged in those headphones and lied outside under the shade listening to some good tunes. The weather was super nice and time just flew by. I also got remembering those awesome yoga classes I took back at At One in Phoenix and got really nostalgic about it. There is a certain magic and chemistry between a teacher and a student that is priceless. The whole feel of a live class, along with some wicked flows and rockin' music is something that I miss terribly! Those were certainly good times ;)
Anyway, before it got too late -or had one too many beers- I did the last Mountain Pose of the program. It felt really good to just flow with the movements and let my mind go blank. Super relaxing. I know some people find MP boring or pointless, but once you get into the mellow groove of it all, it quiets the mind and gives your body a nice break.
For dinner I am having a good ole bad for you doner kebab. Haven't had one in a looong time, so looking forward to that.
Mañana we have Gentle. Sweet. I really like that one. I'll probably do it later in the day because my boys are going golfing tomorrow and guess where Ale is gonna dash to? Yup: the beach. It's Monday, so where else? Ha!
Hope you had a good and productive weekend and we'll talk some more tomorrow.
Namaste.
PS Props have to go out to the chef of the masion for keeping the little dude entertained all afternoon. Thanks A!

Day 104

So I am totally energy free today. Don't know why because I got a good night's sleep and woke up quite late; but I am just meh for the day. I am warning you that this is going to transmit through the blog, so you know it's gonna be a bit on the bleh category.
I dragged myself all through Cardio and even found myself yawning at some points. Not that the class is boring or anything: it still kicks ass, but I am just a bit lost in myself today.
It did feel good to be able to finish it and tick this 104 day off. Just four more! I remember that first Cardio class and compare it to this one where I did it all the way through with no energy whatsoever and it still was miles better than that first class months ago. Holy crap the changes I have been through! Just amazing, really. I will dwell on this more on my 108th day, so no more spoilers ;)
For lunch we had spaghetti with shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. It was a bit too spicy for the little dude and I am just crossing my fingers my stomach won't act up on me again; but it sure was yummy.

In the afternoon I did my meditation early because I have been doing it at night and find myself nodding off. Well, I did fall COMPLETELY asleep meditating in the afternoon... so that worked out just right, yes? Hehe.
For dinner I am having some more cheese and a bit of Jamón Ibérico. I will wash it all down with some vino, just so I can really, really get into this lazy groove I am in today. Plan on watching a creepy movie and just putting this one in the books.
Hope you had a more active day than me and that you are enjoying your weekend. I also want to wish all of you who will be doing the juice cleanse ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD. I certainly won't be doing any cleanse or diet lifestyle for the end of the program. I want to be in full use of my senses for those 108 Sun Salutations. Ha!
I'll see you all over for Mountain Pose series tomorrow!
Namaste.

Day 103

So this morning I totally blew everything off and headed to the beach because it was calling my name so loud. So loud...
But I did do the last Hardcore of the program before I left. That one is a goner, people!
At the beach I mostly caught up with some sleep: I brought my book but didn't read a single page. Just conked out. We had a couple of sandwiches for lunch and then headed off to port to the America's Cup zone to see the kids do a mini regatta. More than a regatta it was a game to see who could go faster without capsizing or who could topple who over. They had a blast and it was hilarious to watch. Here are some pics of the little dude:

They were teamed up this time. He's the one holding the sail.

He was happy to be teamed up with an older boy because he likes to go faster too

Here he is now holding the rudder

And one of the many capsizes they managed

Amazing to see kids totally dominate a sailboat and be fearless at such a young age. Hope Mikel keeps at it because I think it's another way to engage him in a cool sport. Next week, when he's off camp, we'll all go sailing and I'll post some pics of that as well. Good stuff ;)
Back home, after showering and getting that kid tucked away, I got to Balance. Such a nice practice today! Even though I had whacked my ankle with the sailboat and had some sunburnt parts of me, I was able to do the sequences nicely and felt a bit nostalgic about this being the last Balance of the program. One of my favorites, I will be sure to do that class once a week after UY. I am still practicing on some extra arm balances and hopefully I'll get them soon. Hope all of you out there who feel a bit on the fence about Balance, will soon cross over and find it as challenging and fun as I do. All that core work and strength that we have been building up to pays off in classes like these. Just fab!
For dinner I'll have some different kinds of cheese with crackers and some fresh figs for dessert.
Tomorrow instead of Yin we get Cradio as our last power yoga class of the program. A good finish for that section, yes?
Hope you get a good night's rest and I wanted to leave you with this sexy beast that I came across today on the beach. Sweet dreams and namaste!

Day 102

This morning I ran around like a headless chicken trying to get stuff done so I could go die at the beach after doing Strength. I sure was happy that it was the last time doing it in the UY program. Don't know why I was so happy because I will keep doing this class afterwards. I admit I am not a fan of this one; but unlike my other bitchachos, I do know this class is key and it has to stay in the rotation, much to my dislike. Who knows? Maybe one day I will warm up to it *seriously doubt it*.
What's funny is that everyone in the house knows I am doing Strength because of what comes out of my mouth while I am doing it. They are all peeking in the living room all:

Hehe

Anyway, I was glad that was over and done with. I changed to beach attire in warp speed and headed out to spend some quiet time. I love going to the beach sans kid! It's so relaxing... Don't get me wrong, I adore my son, but I love being able to put on those earphones, listen to some music and not have to have eyes in the back of my head because someone wants to go swimming or wandering around. Later we had some sandwiches for lunch and spent the rest of the time just chilling.
At 5:00 we picked sailor boy up and headed back home. Tomorrow is his last day of sailing camp, so we will get to see that mini regatta I was telling you about before. He will do another week but later in August -gotta keep him entretained!-.
For dinner I'll have a mixed greens salad with bits of chicken in hopes that my stomach will finally give me a break. Ugh.
Tomorrow is Fabulous Friday with Balance and Hardcore. Gotta keep practicing all those balancing poses because you never know when this is gonna happen:

You sure as shit wanna be ready for that, yes? Hehe...
Happy 102 for all of you and I'll see you over for Timber!!!
Namaste.

PS Today's UY photo is my absolute favorite. Totally fits me like a glove ;)