apple vs pear 4/2/05

Maybe I read this in Shape in español, so I didn't totally understand, but discussion of body shape, apple vs pear. Kataoka sensei tried on my newly acquired size 12 skirt and then I put it on. She mentioned that she is a typical pear and I must be a typical apple. Google search yielded this link that has the following advice to apple type, like myself, what to wear.

• Trousers and skirts that are straight. Avoid very fitted or tailored garments, particularly those with well defined waist bands as these will only draw unwanted attention to your mid-section
  


• Avoid mixing and matching many different colours. Choose monochromatic outfits, as the use of just one colour will create an overall impression of length that will focus away from your width
  


• Tops should cover the hip area and be worn over tapered trousers that flatter slimmer legs. Shorter skirts also help to draw interest to your lower body region. Light coloured hosiery (preferably 'nude') will help focus attention on your legs
  


• Pockets should be avoided as often these can be unflattering and attract unwanted attention to the upper body
  

I do like pants that are straight and I will take their advice. Humm.

Hyatt Regency hotel gym 4/1/05

When I called Hyatt Regency in Chicago to ask for fitness facilities, the guy said they have treadmill and that is it, nothing else. However I was pleasantly surprised to find out there are many other kinds of cardio equipment, weight training machines and some dumbbells. For the last two days, none of my dear roommates could make it with me (including three ladies two doors down). I did legs and abs today. Tomorrow will be back day without ab. So, who is coming with me. Huh? Huh?

candle light yoga 3/31/05

We are at a conference and we had a good time drinking sake and eating sushi today. On top of that, we went to a Spanish restaurant and had tons of tapas. After walking back from the hotel, three women from the other room joined us and seven ladies tried candle light yoga by Sara Ivanhoe. I forgot it had downward facing dog and tree. This must be the only yoga DVD I have that has a balance pose. Jones sensei, who is used to Suzanne's, said that each pose holds longer and in a way a little difficult. It lasts about 40 minutes, but it is a different 40 minutes from Suzanne's. I definitely don't do yoga enough, but I should do this more often.

Sorry, Dog. 3/30/05

Sometimes I wish somebody lives with me and points out the inconsistent things I do. I am off to Chicago today and I picked this flight specifically so that I don't have to leave the dog in the vet's the night before. However for some reason, my tendency of 思い込み led that I have another 6am flight deal and made a reservation for boarding and took the dog last night. It is only AFTER that I checked the flight schedule and found out! However not having to take the dog in the morning gave me a chunk of time in the morning to go to the gym. Today turned out to be back and ab day. I took about two hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Or to be exact, the stretch part. 2 hours may sound a long time, but I bet I spend more than 30 minutes stretching especially for the back day.

In Chicago I get to meet with my regular conference roommates. I am curious what they think of my shape and some want to try ab DVD on top of Suzanne's yoga DVD. The hotel only has some cheesy cardio equipment. Let's see how it goes.

shrinking 3/28/05

I am quite anti-social at the gym and normally don't talk to anybody. However, yesterday, a fellow female gyme member came to me and said, "You are shrinking every time I see you." I don't know how often she sees me, but certainly I took this as a compliment. So I got carried away and sent out a message to fellow uguisu sensei's saying that now I wear Medium, as opposed to XL when I was married. A few messages were generated. I will be in Chicago Wednesday through Saturday. We usually do yoga at night and I provide Suzanne's DVD. Jones sensei had it since last October or so and I sent one out to Dorrill sensei during Christmas. I will find out if she likes it or not. Also I will bring ab DVD. If a person is not exercising regularly, it will be rather hard, but I will let ladies decide if they want to join me for first half or so. Everybody is conscious around that area...

car problem, no gym 3/27/05

On Friday (Good Friday), I woke up and started the car to warm up to go to the gym. I didn't notice when I started the engine, but as soon as I started to drive, I noticed that the car is REALLY loud. Almost as though something went wrong with the muffler. It was loud enough to make me pass the gym and go one block north to my favorite repair place. There was a man waiting, so I sat there for five minutes or so, then realized that they would have been open by that time. It must have been closed for the holiday. So I went home to think what I should do. The muffler's one end got broken and it was barely hanging there! So, make the long story short, I had to find a car and bought one. I did all this before I get to work, so I haven't been to the gym for two days. Now I feel my neck is getting stiffer. It is Easter Sunday and the gym is open limited time, but enough for me to get exercises done. I look forward to it this morning.