The Most Inspiring People I've Ever Met

A few weeks ago I was blessed enough to have this most amazing man and his girlfriend in one of my yoga classes I met them at the front desk and they were very kind and polite. I noticed the man was in a wheel chair and thought nothing of logistics - my favorite thing about the magic of yoga is that it is truly accessible to all. When we got into class I started teaching and it wasn't for a few minutes that I looked over and realized this man was a quadriplegic. And I was fully in awe of how beautiful his practice was. He used blocks to support his elbows and knees. In all honestly, his crow pose put mine to shame! But it wasn't the physical postures that got me with this student. It was the heart - this man, and frankly his girlfriend were so passionately involved in their practice, it was like watching a harmonious dance. Again, it wasn't something you could see in the physical. They were committed to their practices, moving through the asanas. They had mentally arrived and were committed to being present. They were committed to just be. And that my friends was so utterly inspiring. I was able to give them love at the end and the amount of strong, positive energy that surrounded these 2 was truly overwhelming. I chatted with them briefly after class and the funny thing is, they were sympathetic towards me for having a hubby deployed. Yowza that's some perspective - or really attitude shift. It's unbelievable what the body can do if the mind will allow it to. Most times we think we can't do something because we don't have it "in us." For this pair - they just said screw it and blew us all away. I do hope they come back one day - I truly enjoyed their presence and would love to roll out my mat and practice alongside them one day very soon. I also feel like I wasn't able to adequately express my gratitude for them being so awesome. So if you're reading this - thank you for being the most inspiring and tough individuals I've ever met. Go inside folks, you've all got an amazing light to shine from in there!
xoxo,
- AM

New Friends, Old City

Isn't it funny when you meet new people who are from the same city you once were that they instantly make you feel like home again? Last week I had the opportunity to meet a coworker who I've been working with for over a year now but had not actually spent any time with in person. We met for dinner - me, her, her bf, and my new sidekick puppy. It was as if we had known each other for years and immediately stepped into friendship. The best part was, my new "long lost" friend and her boo were from my old hood - NYC. And sitting and enjoying a meal with some NY-ers was just so God damn good, there are no words. It was like a breath of fresh polluted air, complete an imaginary scent of freshly urinated city blocks. It dawned on me - when we spend time with people who are where you come from makes it makes us feel rooted, grounded, and most of all...at home. Coming back to these people, even if they are new to our lives - it feels like they know us. We are in good company and being with these people who just seem to get us and what we are about - reminds us what we were made of. We all know at this point I'm a Cali convert - dog, "bummer" phrase, yoga teacher, and all and so of course I'm hoping to convert my long lost friend and her boo as well. But for now, I'm just glad a little bit of old NYC crossed my path. San Diego has my life, but NYC and its peeps will always have my heart.
xoxo,
- AM