Energy and Art

Wow, it seems like such a long time ago that I practiced! Waiting until late afternoon to blog really dims some of the details. Which may be a benefit to blog readers everywhere...

Home practice this morning. Another email from Volleyball Guy in Manila. A few sentences. I think it's funny that he's sending his students individual emails (versus a mass mailing) and everyone gets a couple of sentences about his experience. It reminds me of him at practice. He doles out an adjustment to one person then moves on to the next. A snippet of energy here and then a snippet of energy there.

Practice this morning was pretty good. The left knee is a little sore, but not too bad. Handstands were a little heavy. I got The Cop to adjust me in supta kurmasana. His first supta k adjustment. I'm so proud ;-) He did well.

Garbha pindasana was amusing, as always. Got both arms more than halfway, waited there a bit, then tried one arm through all the way and then bent the arm (using my other arm) to try to get it near my face. Gosh, it looks like such a silly, simple pose. But, as it turns out, it is not. Still, though, I can't quite tell what it's trying to teach me. Maybe this one is about humor.

Great news this afternoon. When I was working on the new book, I often looked at work by the artist Kiki Smith. When my publisher asked if I had any ideas for what I'd like on the cover, I immediately thought of an image of her work that I love: http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/date_work_lg_146D_1.html. In kind of a crazy gesture, I wrote to her gallery, asking them to forward a request to use the image. Honestly, I wondered if I would ever hear back. I imagined I'd be viewed as a deranged poet stalker. And if I did hear back, I wondered what kind of fee would be charged. Today I had a note from the gallery's director, saying Kiki Smith has agreed to let me use the image, and the charge is that I send her one of my books. How much does that rock?

Okay, I am working from home this afternoon, so blogging has to be limited to a quick break. Tomorrow is Mysore at Sanskrit Scholar's fitness center. I am going to pack my teeny space heater in a gym bag, and we're gonna heat that place up!