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 Waking up to the sounds of Fighter jet planes was not something I expected in the middle of the country. With a training base close by, the thought of going for a ride in one of those military puppies had me dreaming of high speed flight!  Instead, the day held other forms of excitement. Witnessing a newborn goat that bleated like a duck, a mid-afternoon hot-tub party with Kara and the pets, salivating over RD’s fried Venison steaks and laughing over our prancing two-step and waltz lesson had us enjoying the Texan winter more than I could ever have imagined!
It’s so strange and kind of surreal to find ourselves picking up again, moving on. For the first time in a very long time, settling down at Skydive Houston actually felt like coming home. So many positive experiences in such a short stay has left me wanting to nest and set up a home base in our beautiful Airstream for the rest of our winter stay. But our yoga conference in San Fransisco has us on a timeline, and I’m hoping that we can play with a bit of flexibility to enjoy the company of our Canadian friends at Skydive Arizona whilst allowing us to visit a few Lululemon stores along the way. Getting away early en route to our next destination has been a challenge for us from the onset of our journey. Or rather, perhaps I should speak for myself. I’m truly enjoying 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but with going to bed in the wee morning hours, this means a late morning start for me. Perhaps I need to start using an alarm clock on our travel days? Unappealing as this option may be to me, I think that I need to shift my bedtime schedule.
It was well past noon before we left the drop zone traveling to San Antonio. Part of the routine for shifting bases is making sure that everything is in order with the trailer …. we’ve yet to come up with a firm checklist, but a few of the ‘must dos’: airworthy tires, empty holding tanks, refuelled propane tanks, Hensley Hitch intact and everything in its place, inside and out. Finding a ‘Flying J’ close-by with many of the services needed to accomplish this task is always a bonus. And that we did find. You see, within Texas, close is anything under 75 miles.  Our new friends Kara and RD were anticipating our arrival, as were their curious horses who pranced and rubbed up alongside the Airstream as we drove down their bumpy mile long driveway. Once we set up shop on their spacious property, we were custom fitted with our own private Texan corral (protecting us from the many wandering and overtly curious ‘pets’). Kara, RD & family graced us with a fabulous ‘Redneck’ Christmas experience that we’re not soon to forget. The rich and delicious food that this family creates and consumes in beyond describable. YummmmmmmY!
I found my courage to jump in the cold today. It’s been about 5 years since I last jumped in - Celsius temperatures, and I wasn’t sure how my shoulder would hold up. You see, my body tends to seize up in the cold and the last place I wanted to find myself impounded and immobile is at pull time. So there I was, leaping like a lemming, praying for the best (with a ton layers & under armour to keep me hopefully nimble enough).
Lucky for me, I managed to get 2 jumps in before the cold seeped through to my brain, instilling a sense of “are you crazy” logic to stop whilst I was ahead of the dwindling sun and warmth. However, my beloved husband fears not the cold and managed to get 5 spritely glorious jumps in. What a way to leave the drop zone @ Skydive Houston … in high spirits, with plenty of love and yogaFLIGHT shared by all. We ended this evening by sharing in a delectable sushi meal that left us all stuffed to the gills (pun intended!) and satisfied that we would soon return. Perhaps in the spring or maybe next winter. Regardless, we WILL be back. It almost feels like home away from home.
BTW, Tandem Skydives at Skydive Houston, until the end of January 2010 will be $99. Yes, you read that correctly, $99. Better come and jump before this special runs out!!
Well, we survived through night 1 of the Arctic blast. Our pipes seem intact (only after pulling my husband away from the boob toob to drain the pipes and shut off the valve to the now frozen water line) but the electricity went out sometime in the night. The only reason that I know it went out is we discovered our batteries are no longer holding a charge, which means that there’s not enough ooomph to even spark up the furnace. No electric heater or furnace = dang cold upon waking! Who wants to get out of bed when it’s almost as cold inside as it is outside? Come noon, we made the move and finally jolted out of hibernation. Thank goodness for wool blankets!! I do miss the comforts of a constantly warm house in the throes of winter. But this life of luxurious choices sure is hard to beat .
When coming south for the winter, I was really hoping to leave the cold weather behind. Our stay in Missouri had us hovering a few nights just above zero in the Airstream, but our plumbing was safe from the cold. No frozen pipes or water leaks. In coming to Houston, I thought that for certain we’d be well above freezing in our stay. I guess that’s what you get for thinking! The next three days and nights, we’re hunkering down to weather the Arctic blast that has already seeped in through my bones, craving for the sun and warmth. Now if only we can stave off any plumbing crises!
It’s panic mode here in Texas … kerosene and propane heaters are sold out wherever one looks. The only reason that I know this is that Skydive Houston was desperately looking for an alternate way other than electricity to heat their 2500 feet business space. I feel for them …. we’ve been relying on our electric heater pretty much 24/7 for the past few weeks and with this deep freeze in effect, the furnace will be a definite asset in our attempt to keep warm and plumbing-issue free. Fingers crossed!
 I’ve never really been one for video games. The greatest joy I ever had from an electronic game was the pinball machine that my family housed in our multiplex house in Listowel when growing up. I totally wracked up the high scores and spent many a Saturday afternoon challenging my dexterity and skills with the flick of my pinball fingers. Beyond the occasional game of Pacman and Super Mario, video games didn’t do anything for me growing up. Solitaire and word games were the only thing that stimulated my senses on the computer. I do find myself getting bored very quickly …. partly because I am a klutz and have a terrible track record with hand – eye coordination. But, being the guests of two hospitable skydiving friends, and wanting to be a good sport, I gave in to Stacey’s persistent coaxing on trying out the Wii Fit. WOW! Stacey and Don must have about 40 games. Makes me wonder if this is where ‘Feisty Girl’ gets her nickname from, being the competitive skilled player that she is??
 I’ve never been one for violence, whether it be in a movie, a cartoon, part of a video game or in real life. I cringe at the thought of seeing blood, whether it be brought on by violent action, or staged as part of a Blockbuster’s draw. I steer clear of horror movies and avoid conflict at all costs. I believe that violent action and behaviour begets more violence. Avoid, avoid, avoid. Even the thought of all these Texans arming themselves with full gun arsenals within their homes and vehicles has me cringing at the thought of any possible negative confrontations. So the thought of playing a video game with a fake rifle in the ‘Call of Duty’ had me bowing out to pursue other interests.  However, when it came to duking it out with my husband in a boxing ring or trying to punt his butt off a platform with dueling swords, I had an alarming enthusiastic good time. Go figure?? Perhaps, the kid-like animation of the Wii felt less hostile and confrontational?? Or maybe it was the cheering crowd laughing their faces off at my inept but witty foot and arm work (i.e. think of the chicken dance)?? Whatever it was, I actually enjoyed my spirited and perky workout on the Wii, and look forward to the next 100 pin bowling game thrown my way. I also look forward to becoming a Yoga Master on the Wii Fit. It states that I am a Yoga Novice. Looks like I have lots of work ahead of me .
 Both slaDE~ and I agree that one of the best parts of this new journey that we find ourselves on is the ability to wake naturally, without an alarm to jolt our bodies out of hibernation. It’s truly amazing to find oneself suddenly awake, renewed with a sense of light and being when the circadian rhythm of ones body is allowed to prevail. I remember upon waking in Calgary, when both our cups overflowed with work, play, yoga and instructing, always waking so tired, scattered and somewhat unsatiated. Amazing what a lifestyle change and a few months can do. Living and following ones dream, without the dictation of daily schedules and appointments leads me to believe that life doesn’t have to be so structural and finite. That with the flow of existence comes the renewal that our bodies so desperately crave. Activities such as meditation, yoga, or exercise help to redirect our energies into a positive outlet. But living a life of self-direction and motivation with as little stress as possible also helps. I feel very blessed that we can pursue a new path where the body is able to energize through sleep and cre8tive outlets that make our heart sing.
What an incredible day of openings, new friends, opportunities and body bliss! yogaFLIGHT continues to expand in its horizons and experiential wonder. Such a new dimension of yoga for both yogis and non-practitioners who’ve not had the chance to play outside of their own solo practice. It’s such a thrill to see those new to partner yoga and yogaFLIGHT, as if it were their very first skydive. That sense of wonder and awe and newness. The look in ones eyes after returning feet to earth, completely and utterly entranced and exhilarated. As too like a skydive, describing the experience of yogaFLIGHT is such a difficult task. Easier to show than to define the experience. When someone asks me what is the purpose behind yF? What a great question! From my own experience, the practice of yogaFLIGHT is very therapeutic in that it allows gravity to help stretch the body and spine naturally, in many different configurations (upside down, sideways, …). yogaFLIGHT has the ability to connect people through play, body awareness, communication and breath, and helps to build strength, balance, trust, confidence and flexibility in ones body, mind and practice.
The true meaning of Yoga is union — invoking the connection of breath and body movement. The meaning of Flight: a journey made through space and time.
yogaFLIGHT = allows for the essence of the individual to ‘be in the moment’ and in balance, through communication and connection, with another person. The ultimate in body bliss.
I want to dream and breathe and live as an Avatar. I want to be reincarnated as an Avatar in my next (or even this) lifetime. I so hope that I dream Avatar flying dreams of kaleidoscope colour atop my own dragon, seeking connection with the trees and sky. Guess I’ll need to overome my fear of heights though .
3D Avatar = best movie of all time. Can’t wait to see and breath it in again! The BluRay movie can’t come out quick enough. Sigh ……
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Waking up to the sounds of Fighter jet planes was not something I expected in the middle of the country. With a training base close by, the thought of going for a ride in one of those military puppies had me dreaming of high speed flight! 
