No, not St. Patrick's Day, silly! That comes every year!!!
Today is the grand opening of a very special place right here in the Heights,
Darla's Yoga Garden!!!Miss Ginger was first introduced to Darla several years ago when she had another studio here in town. The first time she went, she thought she was going to DIE! And she was like "WTF? Why would anyone want to DO this?!"
At that point, Darla was teaching a pretty strict Bikram series, with the Bikram instructed dialogue and the Bikram-taught expectation of yoga room discipline. Sometimes it was kinda rough, as you were instructed to "lift... more... reach... higher... pull...pull...pull!!!"
But then, after it was all over, and Miss Ginger had washed the sweat off and gotten her breath back, she thought "I DID it!" What an accomplishment!! Plus, it was the cleanest, purest feeling afterward! And, that night, she slept like a baby!! After that, she was pretty much "a regular".
That original studio closed. Drama ensued. Yoga ceased for a while. Then, Miss G got an unexpected email from Darla that said, basically, "for those of you who wish to do yoga with me, I have found a place!"
Darla had found a place to do yoga, and a place of peace for her soul. Pursuant to the drama mentioned above, Darla no longer taught "Bikram" yoga, she taught "hot yoga". No "brand name" meant there was no expectation that the "franchise" be respected. She could teach as she wanted. Teach as she needed. And teach, she did!
A room above the kitchen at the local Hare Krishna sat unused- uncomfortable, hot, and too difficult to air condition. So, the Krishnas installed mirrors and a dragon heater and rented it to Darla to practice her craft!
It was fun to meet Darla at the temple and do yoga! There we were, in our special yoga clothes, with our special yoga mats, and our special water bottles, driving expensive imported cars- and there were the Hare Krishnas- often in their unusual garb and interesting hairdos, living their life of devotion. And there was mutual respect. And admiration. And love.
We had great yoga at the temple. Small classes. People who were there for the yoga, not for the "scene." We discovered "silent" yoga, with sitar music, and kirtans, and amzing relaxation. Darla practice with us, but always kept a mindful eye on the students as well.
But, as the saying goes, "all good things come to and end", and the lease expired, and it was not renewed. Again, no yoga. A breakup in Ginger's life. Chaos at work. And lots and lots of Pinot Grigio! So, for Miss G, 40 pounds later, the day has finally come!!!
Over the past year (more?) Darla has converted a darling cottage in the Heights into Darla's Yoga Garden, a place where she and her students can practice and share their love of yoga! It's been a long haul! Do you know the engineering it takes to heat a room to 110 degrees? There were kerfuffles with the city. A handicap ramp?! Really?! We have to have a handicap ramp at a private yoga studio? Bubbling floors. Yes, it takes special adhesive to glue the tile down in a 100 degree room! Shouldn't a flooring professional know these things?!
But, it's all done!!! Miss Ginger has been one of the lucky few who has had the opportunity to practice during the "soft opening" classes, given free by Darla as she ensures the workings and amenities of her yoga boutique are in place. It's a lovely facility, and Miss G is thrilled to have such a great place to work on her mind, her spirit, and her big fat body!!!
Through all this time, for Miss G, when there was no Darla, there was no yoga. Miss G wasn't interested in practicing with anyone else. Darla knows about Miss G's quirky back. Darla knows about Miss G's completely fallen arches, making her feet completely worthless at supporting the one-legged poses. And Darla watches Miss G for signs her blood pressure is rising, and encourages her to sit and calm herself when the need arises.
No, Miss G could never do yoga without Darla. It would just feel dirty! And that kinda defeats the purpose, right?
She know my weaknesses: heat and feet! After grumblesomeodd years on my feet (sometimes in 4 inch heels) they haven't really had an arch since about 1972. During the day I can wear an orthotic to support them, but in yoga, "all soles are bared", and in the one-legged standing postures, it's hard for me to balance because my feet flatten, which causes one to fall. So, I struggle to hold and arch, which makes the foot burn with pain.
So, the Sunday class was with 2 other people who have similar issues, and I gott say, it was LOVELY! It was plenty hot, but not so hot you had to fight for your breath, so you could really focus on the postures. There were no sorority girls in the rooms sticking their legs in the air our their heads up their asses, so the class really was about our "special needs". So, of course, Miss Ginger dubbed it "Short Bus Yoga"! I hope we do it again soon! 
