yoga luka

Today I tried Yoga for the first time here in Chile. Now I am no stranger to yoga--but yoga in another country/language is a whole new ball of wax! There is a place by my house that I've been meaning to try called Yoga Luka. This studio offers 1 class for 1,000 chilean pesos or 2 american dollars..(1,000=1 luca).  So this morning around 12:30pm I headed over to try the Iyengar I style yoga. At home I attended yoga classes at school (UC Santa Cruz woot woot!) or the Ymca in Westchester. This Ivengar Yoga was an interesting experience because I couldn't understand what was happening the majority of the time and because they use all kinds of props that are foreign to me. First of all my Spanish has been progressing pretty well so I figured I wouldn't have too many problems with the instructions..I had most of the basic words down--manos=hands, espalda=back, pecho=chest, respire=breathe..etc. But my teacher kept mentioning muñeca which I know to mean doll. I was like whaaa? Doll? Act like a doll? So weird! After class I realized its also the word for wrist! It makes much more sense now! 


Anyway, there I was going along trying not to draw too much attention to myself..but the teacher came over a couple of times being like what are you doing? At one point we had to use a weird wooden block by arching into a bridge and putting the block underneath us..It was very uncomfortable and I fell off at first! But eventually I got back on and handled it! Also, I guess I was breathing really hard cause the woman next to me said Nariz!! = Through your nose! Ahh! RUDE! Okay! Getting my workout! Hahah. It was actually really fun though and it lasted for an hour and a half for only 2 dollars so I'm thinking this might be my new workout opportunity! Although there is a salsa class that I am going to try and hopefully I won't embarrass myself too badly! 


Also, I looked up what exactly the philosophy of Iyengar yoga:
A form of Hatha Yoga, it focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through the development of asanas. Through the practice of a system of asanas, it aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. This discipline is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life which in turn can help promote total physical and spiritual well-being. (Thanks Wikipedia!). 
I would gather thats why we spent quite some time meditating while I nervously looked around..hahah!

Doga with the Chubs McGee. 

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big bowl of update

Dear Readers,

Sorry I have been severely lacking on posting..I promise to be better! Things have been moving right along here in Santiago so much so that sometimes I stop and think how can it already be 4pm, and December and almost 2010?! Time goes by so quickly! Jeez. Teaching has become easier because I now have a comfortable feel for my students different levels and strengths and needs--I have never taught adults before..The experience is sooo different than my little elementary school children who I taught to paint and draw in Santa Cruz! There are advantages and disadvantages to teaching adults..for example--you never have to tell adults to pay attention or focus or to just try! But they aren't nearly as funny as the little guys and it's more difficult to see the progress of acquisition in language fluency. Teaching business English is also interesting..I am learning alot about the economics, and policies of Chile and how it effects the citizens. My students tell me many new companies first come to Chile to start business to see how profitable they will be as Chile has few regulations and allows free trade.

Other than that I have been enjoying living in our new abode in Providencia. We live with Carlos and Dana--two Chileans and they host several other foreigners. The house is wonderful and alive and full of art because Carlos is an artist (Dana is studying music!). I always feel inspired and relaxed here. We cook alot and there are two hammocks that I am particularly fond of especially when it is 80 ++ degrees out which is often the case now that we are headed into summer. Even though Santiago gets hot hot hotttt-we are lucky because the beach is a hop, skip and jump (okay maybe 1hr and 30 min via micro bus) which is amazing because Valpariso and Vina Del Mar are soo beautiful and so different from Santiago. These cities feel more like you would expect of South America..kind of dirty but rich in culture and people. A more relaxed feel overall and the BEST seafood everrrr omg. Yum! I went once with Andres then again with Cortney and our roomate Nicole (from Germany). We got to see one of three of Pablo Neruda's (famous Chilean poet) awesome houses which are filled with cool awesome collectibles and such.
And the most spectacular views ever!!







I could eat seafood all day every day!


YUM. So how is everyone at home? Its funny to hear Christmas music when its so hot outside! Here everywhere there are bathing suits, sunscreen and summer dresses galore! Im thinking of you all mucho mucho! My Spanish is slowly getting better but it still needs work..sometimes I still mix it up with French! Silly! Well, more later!
Besos!

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