yoga, fitness, money, life

So, this morning's dilemma. I slept in this morning, and I was thinking about yoga when I woke up, and I realized that I can't continue as I have been. I really need to do yoga twice a week. That's the minimum for me. I'd rather do it more, and I'd also rather supplement with other kinds of activity like walking or something. Right now, I am doing very little in the way of physical activity. I can't afford to take two classes at a yoga studio every week. At at least $15 per class, no matter what studio I go to, I can't afford that. So I was hoping I could do one class a week and practice on my own the rest of the time. But I am not doing that. Not at all. And I can see the effects in my body. It's not good. I don't even take walks on my lunch break anymore, I just sit there and read.

So, I'm thinking that I need to give up on the studio classes for a while. I had wanted to do the studio thing because I want to get serious about the yoga, seriously connect with a teacher and a yoga community, etc. But it's just not feasible for me financially right now, and I have to accept that.

So I started thinking about other options. Last fall, I joined a gym near my parents' house, and that was great--I could do the elliptical machine, do my yoga, and there was enough space there that even if there wasn't a class going on I could find a spot to do my yoga on my own and not bother anybody. And I did enjoy the classes there and found them interesting. I don't want to join that gym again because it's 40 minutes away, so I started looking closer to here.

Found this place. Looks really nice, even has a pool and aqua aerobics. I called about their rates, and it's $99 for a one-month membership, $67 a month for an annual membership ($719 if you pay all at once) and I think she said a $99 membership fee. If you cancel early for any reason other than moving out of town, there's a cancellation fee, she didn't tell me how much that would be. There's a three-month and a six-month membership too but those were big lump sums that I don't have right now. I just don't know that I want to commit to a full year anywhere. I'm not planning right now to move out of this area, but things could change. And I guess in the back of my mind I'm hoping that my yearly salary increase next winter will be enough that I can switch to a studio? You know what, I should just sign up. I mean, I should go over there first and check it out and make sure it's do-able and nice and stuff, and then I should sign up. $67 a month is more affordable than studio yoga, the place is closer to my house than the studio is, and I'll have unlimited access to all the stuff they offer.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Oh, and my work will pay $100 towards a fitness club membership. They won't contribute diddly to classes at a yoga studio.

books 2007: Uncertain Voyage, by Dorothy Gillman

Eh. This is the author who writes the Mrs. Pollifax novels, which I absolutely adore, but this book did not live up to Mrs. P's high standard. I was expecting more international espionage and less whining and wussiness. Everything that happened to the main character happened to get her to realize things about herself and be a confident, real person. Being thrust into a world of international espionage was more of a sideplot. Not that it wasn't well-written. I just like Mrs. Pollifax too much, I guess.

today's random discoveries

Random discoveries of today:

- At some point this summer, the maintenance man came into my apartment and replaced my thermostat. I noticed this in the middle of my yoga routine. How odd! The new one is really nice.
- On my walk this afternoon, I saw two little boys walking with their dad. The boys were skipping along and singing a happy little song that went "We're going to the bank!! We're going to the bank!!" The dad was looking vaguely embarrassed. He shouldn't have been, it was totally cute. I'm never that excited when *I* go to the bank. I hope Dad had a big ol' deposit to make!
- Three words: Green Apple Gelato. OMFG.
- If my mom ever comes up missing, tell the police to check the basement freezer.
- Coupons really do make a difference in grocery shopping expenses. And cereal really is cheaper at Walmart. And my mom really will insist on buying my cereal for me. I think she feels better knowing I have food in my apartment. I also now have chicken patties, baking soda, and dish detergent courtesy of my mom.
- There's a claw game machine at the Walmart near my parents' house--you know, where you try to grab a stuffed animal. The last time I was there, there were stuffed Presidents in the machine--I tried to grab Andrew Jackson. (If it had been Grover Cleveland, I would have gone back in for more quarters.) Anyway, tonight there weren't any Presidents in the machine, but there were incredibly adorable Gremlins plushies. Unfortunately, the machine was out of order.
- Yoga/workout pants that fit me! From Walmart! For $10!