Yogathon

I did the Yogathon yesterday. I didn't actually feel like going at all, the weather was gray and miserable and for some reason my right shoulder was aching too... if it had been a matter of going to class I would have totally skipped it. But as it was for charity, and I had gathered $230 from my wonderful donators (you know who you are - I love you!), I had to grin and bear it. Luckily Helena was picking me up so it was just a matter of walking downstairs and getting in a car.

Once we got it everything changed though. Atmosphere was nice and relaxed, and we found Nicole immediately and went to set down our mats. Yogathon was held, like last year, at the Plaza of Nations which is a glass-covered outdoor area - there's a wooden floor and lot of light, but it's intimate enough for an event like that. We spent some time walking around the booths gathering some freebies and meeting friends - yoga is so networked in Vancouver and it's funny that I'm already starting to be in it.

This year the object was to do 108 minutes of yoga, instead of the 108 sun salutations we did last year - I think last year they must have had problems because if your technique is not good you're gonna hurt yourself. For those 108 minutes we had ten different teachers, all representing different styles from Yin to Iyengar to Ashtanga to Kundalini to Anusara. And some others too. It was quite lovely, and it was really nice seeing all the different styles. Our Bernie taught the Yin and he was as great as ever (although I wish they had put Yin as the last style). The Iyengar teacher was a lovely old lady, not unlike my first Iyengar teacher Pat, and she had that precise comforting Iyengar style. The Ashtanga teacher was a bit too uptight for my taste, and I absolutely hated the Kundalini section - I've never done any Kundalini style before and this one with the Breath of Fire (is it Kabalabati or not?) made me hyperventilate and I had to lay down. Anusara teacher was Dan and he was fantastic, and there were some other good teachers too from styles I can't remember anymore.

In the end of it I was almost surprised on how fast and easy and fun it was. 108 minutes sounds like a lot because I'm used to ashtanga, but mix it with some easier more relaxing styles and you've got a lovely relaxing practice. I'm really happy I went (although my shoulder is still bothering me).

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