the view along the san lorenzo. look, we have wildlife in santa cruz. you can tell me what this is a million times and i will still forget. click on the picture and enjoy the larger version, the detail is really nice.

yoga karma is when you take a later class to avoid the teacher teaching the early class, only to find out the teachers have switched classes.

yoga karma is when you take an early class because a milf said she would be there, but she skips yoga that day.

yoga karma is when you practise on your day off because a cute girl said she would be there, but then she decides she doesn’t feel like practising.

i’m sure you can add to the list. see you tomorow ~m

west cliff fire-hula hooper. this picture is so cool, with the fire right in front of her face. love.

i wonder if we’ll feel the effects of a new bikram yoga studio in the area. today’s noon wasn’t empty, we prolly had 20 people in class, even some first-timers. i’ve been in noon classes with a *lot* less than that. yesterday’s noon wasn’t mat-to-mat, but there were still a lot of baked benders. with only two days to compare, it seems like things might stay the same at the studio. i’m sure we’ll lose some regulars, but i think there’s always someone ready to take their place. maximum love,m

more night photography yumminess from yesterday.

well, after two days off from bikram, i was back in the studio today. can’t say i noticed too much of a difference in my outward appearance, but maybe i feel a little more “solid.” hmmmm, i don’t know about the difference between one day or two, but it definitely felt good to be back in the hot room. even more than the stretching, it felt nice to sweat again. that’s not the best thing about bikram yoga, but it’s a pretty great feeling to cleanse yourself from the inside out. see you tomorrow ~m

bird in flight, along west cliff, santa cruz. patience is a must if you want to photograph birds flying. just commit yourself to staying in one place for a little while and see what happens. click on the photo to see the larger version and really enjoy the detail of the wings.

small class, hot room today. love the push of the dialogue delivered with authority. inspiring to see our little 14-year-old bender practise. she sits out of poses with no drama, no fidgeting. her discipline in class is a good example for others. she was downright stoic compared to the teenagers behind and the lady next to her. patience was the word for today, see you tomorrow ~m

one more of singapore’s srpint srkis. i’m such a spicoli, i can’t believe this wasn’t one of the first photos i posted. this was one of the funnest nights i’ve had in a long time. if you’re an edmonton reader, make it a point to see them when they bring their circus to your town.

right before class, i looked in the mirror and told myself that i was gonna finish class as strong as i felt then. during the standing series, there were a few light-headed moments, but i told myself to stay strong. when we got to the floor, i felt great and i looked in the mirror again and reminded myself that i was gonna finish class feeling the same way. a little water and then 2 minutes of rest. by the time class ended, i think i finished stronger than when i started. your mindset really helps determine your class. if you go in thinking your prolly gonna fizzle out in the end, you prolly will. no matter how you feel, keep a positive attitude, in and out of the hot room. xo,m

corey feldman fronting truth movement on the santa cruz beach boardwalk. corey explained how special the set was last night. you see, for the first time ever, they were performing their new concept album from beginning, middle and end. he was so serious when he was explaining this, it was hard to watch.

thought i would take a short final savasana today. tried getting up a lot earlier than i normally would but i din’t have the strength. i din’t have a wipeout class or anything, my body just din’t wanna move. “stay here,” it said and i did. oh, our teacher was great today, encouraging us to final savasana for at least two minutes “before you do any of that fancy, look-at-me stuff.” love it! see you tomorrow for our friday fun class! ~m

shannon jae singing on the streets of santa cruz.

monday morning practise, whoohoo! my friends were in shock that i made it to the 10. i almost didn’t make it. i was pedaling super fast to get to the 10 am, but then my mind started thinking bad things and i started getting down on myself, biking slower. i told myself to be thankful for what i had. be positive and feel blessed. i cruised into the yoga studio lot to lock up my bike and wait for the noon, but thanks to a slow clock, i got to take the 10.

keep it lifted. that’s what our teacher kept saying today. your arms, your chest, your gaze, your spirit. keep it lifted. keep the energy flowing in a positive direction. i was really feeling it because that’s kinda how i felt on my bike ride in. i was so down on myself, but then i turned it around on my own, lifting myself. as soon as you start thinking it, you can’t help but be it. sometimes we look for outside things to motivate us or keep us going, but it really comes down to believing in yourself and knowing that you can do it. see you tomorrow ~m