Rambling Yogi: Episode 1 Bardstown Kentucky

Home practice in the RV generally means tight spaces…

and lots of pet interference….but I get it done.

As a former long distance runner I had toyed with the idea of maintaining my training when we hit the road in October 2012. I had visions of running in marathons (or even 5ks) in every state of the Union. I’ve always been a goal setter that way. But after a few months on the road reality sunk in…at least my reality. We were often in places that were not conducive to running. Clark isn’t a runner so I was always out alone running long distances which meant an hour or two of running ‘blind’…not knowing if the trail or route I was on was “safe” or if I would have cell service should I get hurt. Sometimes we would end up in areas that offered no good areas to run…the roads were too dangerous with no shoulders and heavy traffic and the high school tracks were closed to the public. At one point I ran around the RV park we were at to get my miles in…about 34 laps. It wasn’t fun. People thought I was crazy.

Crossing the finish line at the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Full Marathon with my Great friend, Coleen.

I lost my mojo because running was becoming work…trying to map my runs without Internet, constantly discussing possible routes with Clark and my projected return time (so he would know if he needed to come look for me), and frankly, the stress and tension I created from the fear that I might get hurt and not have access to any help exhausted me before I even took the first step into my run.

Not wanting to completely give up on exercise I decided to recommit myself to yoga. I virtually stopped all other forms of exercise (running, kettle bells and HIIT workouts) to see if “just” yoga could maintain the level of fitness I would be comfortable with long-term. So far, it has.

By the time I got the brilliant idea to blog about various yoga studios and classes around the United States we’d already crossed our 12th state line. I’ve never been much of a studio student because most of them have been cost prohibitive. My history of formal yoga classes includes a semester in college (paying for credits was way cheaper than a 3 month studio fee…actually, depending on where you’re at it may be cheaper than ONE month!) and a month of hot yoga thanks to an awesome Groupon I found while we were still living in California.

Although these aren’t mine I have owned 3 of these VHS tapes…can you guess which ones?
source

Most of my experience with yoga has been home practice. Thanks to VHS (you thought I was going to say Betamax, didn’t you!!) , and now, DVDs and YouTube one can learn a lot without ever leaving the comforts of their home (or RV). However, I really do think that taking a class, when possible, can improve your practice, clarify some concepts and offer a chance to check in with a teacher to work on alignment and corrections. It really doesn’t do much good to practice yoga consistently if you’re doing it all wrong time and again. Besides, you share a certain energy with the other students when attending class which can reinvigorate your home practice if it’s starting to feel a little stale.

Headstand at Mustang Island, Texas

Scorpion Pose in Jackson’s Oak Park, Mobile, Alabama.

Pigeon pose in Point Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Triangle Pose White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

Pigeon Pose McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Texas.

Although I had been practicing yoga in the RV since we hit the road, Bardstown, Kentucky was the first place I took an actual class. We were staying very close to town anyway (My Old Kentucky Home) and the local studio was only a few miles down the road, so I had no excuse. Besides, with a name like Pink Elephant Yoga I couldn’t resist!

Feeling fantastic after a class at Pink Elephant Yoga!

I happened to attend a Monday evening class in May. Little did I know that the owner/instructor, Jennifer Hurst, was out of town at a teacher training in Asheville, N.C. at the time. Yay for teachers who continue learning!! My instructor was Craig Faulkner, one of Jennifer’s students and fellow yoga lover.

Somewhere on top of Granite Peak (9050′) at the Norcal Tough Mudder Squaw Valley, Ca.

The studio is situated on 3rd Street, which is the cool ‘downtown’ area. Although small I was able to find an open spot up near the front of the room, made little small talk (there were a few people talking about doing a Tough Mudder event, something I proudly completed before we left California) and settled into my breath. Craig kept the class focused as we moved through some warm ups followed by a nice strengthening flow that actually got me sweating! While it didn’t exactly challenge me beyond my current level a lot of energy and great vibes were shared throughout the class.

Jennifer is now offering prenatal and children’s yoga classes thanks to the teacher training she was away on that May. Included in her training was yoga for seniors, something I would love to offer one day (hopefully I can get my teacher training completed before I become the senior).

If you’re in the area definitely stop in and take a class (and tell Jennifer that Tales From the Mutiny says “hi”). You can’t beat the drop in price of only $8! For those of us living this lifestyle, traveling around the country (or world) we have a unique opportunity to experience the diversity out there and what better way to do so than to move our bodies!