Vacuum bags and more...

When we make the choice to come to class, to put down our mats and to practice we may also be making any of (not limited to) the following choices: to hire a babysitter, to not clean the house, to not make breakfast or dinner for the rest of the family, or to leave babies, or children or spouses or __(fill in the blank)_______ . Any number of things must fall into place in order for us to actually make it to our mats. Some days are better than others, some excuses to not come to the mat are better than others.

For me today the issue was vacuum cleaner bags. Some time last week our vacuum cleaner bag at the studio was totally full and I tried to empty it out so that I could keep using it, but in doing so ripped it. Alas, I was going to have to go out and buy some new ones! You might not think that vacuum cleaner bags could really be that integral to the running of a yoga studio but let me explain something. We often use the analogy of "peeling back the layers of an onion" to describe the process of yoga. Well what we don't mention about that is the peeling of layers of skin, toenails, and hair that is also a part of the process. You might not believe how much of this, plus all of the dust and fibers from blankets that we accumulate on the floor after just one class. So we use the dry mop to sweep the floor, and then we vacuum the debris from the mop - so the vacuum cleaner is pretty important.

So what I now know is if you are in need of vacuum cleaner bags don't go to Walgreens, Fred Meyer, Albertson's or Target (at least if you have the kind I have). After these four trips, finally I went to JJ's Vacuum Store this morning and after two trips there, I finally had the right bag.

This, was what was almost going to keep me from my practice today. Two things made me do it, one is that I feel better when I practice, it is fun, I enjoy it, it is a time for me to focus on myself and on what makes me me, and two because Lars was going to meet me :). As I started my first sun salutation I smiled thinking to myself "do your practice...all is coming...even vacuum cleaner bags..."