Heart Full

I’m not shy about my feet. Although, judging from photos and people’s reactions, I should be. Which is why I’ve been so intrigued by these YogaToes and reviews of them. I’ve been known to slip on some 4″ – 5″ monsters, and pointy shoes that really completed the outfit, but is the ergonomic equivalent of keeping your toes in a fist all day. Plus, I was secretly envious of my friends with healthy handsome feet, especially in yoga. They could really spread their toes, and by covering more ground seemed more stable than I, whose balance is so strained I almost always immediately get foot cramps.

The $49.95 price tag does seem a bit much, given that the contraption is so similar to what I get during my pedicures, and I know those are cheap and disposable. But then this Pampered Toe Therapy by Pedi Egg came up for $7.98 on Amazon. I was just about to order it when I noticed the reviews. Many of which were something awful. Many women complaining of pain, because they had stretched their toes out too much. And these women in general seemed to have larger feet then my size 6.5, so if it was painful for THEM, it might be too much to bear for me. But at $7.98 how could I lose?
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Video of the Global Mala Project, with glimpses of the unattached one.

This past week I participated in the Global Mala Project – Yoga for Peace. The first time I particpated was the year before last, with my then yoga teacher and now friend, Mia Baer. It was in Central Park, and it started at around 8am in the morning, far earlier then what I was use to waking up on the weekends. I remember the excitement of it, and the challenge, could I really do 108 Sun Salutations? I also didn’t really know what the event was all about, having just learned about it a couple days ago during Mia’s class. It was grueling. My practice, was still in it’s beginnings, and after about 20 sequences, I could feel my wrists giving under the weight.

I remember catching glimpses of the yogis around me, wondering how they managed it so effortlessly. And looking admirably at Mia, as she gracefully interspersed her sequences with a bakasana (crow) here, and a down dog split there. I discovered 40 sequences later where my mis-alignments lay — it was inevitable, those areas WILL begin to tire, and correcting them. I had begun to cultivate a deeper body awareness, knowing where I was needlessly “wasting” energy with unnecessary (e.g. wrist) flourishes, and instead began to look where I placing my feet, and how I was rising to Warrior I.
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Who in New York City wouldn’t appreciate an oasis? Just the word conjures up images of relaxation and rejuvenation, a balm for our recession beaten brows. I am no different.  The spa is my rehab, and I’ve been known to spend hours in a day researching where I can get my next blissful massage, at a reasonable price.  So when a pampering package at Oasis Day Spa worth $$$ was given to me during my bridal shower, I treasured it and wanted to find just the right occasion to use it. My honeymoon was such an occasion, and a perfect time to scrub in that bridal glow. Even better, one of my closest girlfriends was coming with me, so on top of all the pampering I’d have an afternoon of girl talk.

Oasis front desk greets you with serene smiles, and a zenish exhibit of products. You’re then gracefully shown to the locker room, and provided a plush robe to slip into and wait in the the center circular lounge for your therapist. The lounge is so dimly lit, the magazines are more of an impression than actual material to read. After a few minutes of squinting I decided to sip tea instead. My first treatment was the lavender sea salt scrub. I’d never had one of these before, and I wasn’t sure what to make of what looked to be a giant flat sink. Eventually what I thought would happen did. I was slathered over it and washed, in an entirely relaxing manner, but not unlike what they do during autopsy scenes in CSI. I could feel the verifiable glow from the scrub down, and my therapist handled all awkward -not-sure-what’s-happening-here situations well.
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