Spring is here

After an idyllic sojourn in south-of-the-border Miami Beach, our return to the Berkshires has been a slow and gradual process. I've been resurrecting my Nia classes little by little until now it looks like I may be teaching five days a week

• Monday evening at the Williams College Faculty Wellness program
• Tuesday morning in my home studio
• Tuesday afternoon, assisting in a high school yoga class in south county
• Soon adding a Tuesday evening class in my home studio
• Wednesday evening in a gorgeous pilates studio in Florence, a one-hour drive from my home
• Thursday afternoon in my home studio, hoping to attract the after-school crowd
• Friday morning in my home studio

This leaves many of my days free. On Monday morning I'm meeting with a wonderful group of women who practice speaking Spanish. They all are more fluent than I am, with many more years of experience, instruction, and travel in Spanish-speaking countries. I appreciate their generosity, letting me join their group, slowing down their conversation so that I can understand. I wish they felt freer giving me corrections. I am always appreciative, never embarrassed, of being corrected. I really need a tutor or a small group class, having a few friends scout out possibilities here in Pittsfield.

I'm on the substitute staff for Canyon Ranch again, so this gives me access to the gym facilities and classes there. I am hoping to go there at least once or twice a week. I love classes, being challenged, directed, and guided by a knowledgeable teacher, I do so much more than I do on my own. I dropped in to the boot camp at PBP in Lenox last Saturday morning, early (7:30-8:30) to do and still get to synagogue on time. It was fun to work through a challenging circuit with a group. I definitely pick up the energy of a group, this one highly diverse with men and women ages 10-63, mostly 30- and 40-somethings.

I'm carving out some daytime hours to promote the new yoga@school program Debbie Cohen and I have cooked up. We're hoping to find some school districts who want to learn more about how yoga fits into the school learning/physical activity puzzle.

Cooking is a priority. I'm hoping to prepare four or five meals a week at home, cooking in the afternoon meals for Alex to enjoy while I'm away, or beginning the prep early in the day so that I can quickly prepare a freshly cooked meal after class. Both are good, better than looking for a restaurant where we can eat out. Don't get me wrong. I love eating out. However, with all my dietary restrictions -- no meat, no dairy, no gluten, no sugar -- where am I going to find a meal that works for me? Besides, cooking is a feast of sensory pleasures.