NAMASTE IN NANTUCKET.

Namaste is a word typically used to welcome peace, tranquility and balance into your life. Attending my dad’s annual Summer family reunion tends to be anything but that but I tried my very hardest to maintain a meditative mentality this past week while jet setting with fifteen of the “Powers” finest to Nantucket, Massachusetts to celebrate the F.O.B.’s (“father of the bride”) 50-something-th birthday.

…This cake typo was not a stellar start! Whoops. Not sure if “unhappy” was a warning, foresight or a baker’s practical joke.

Please do not get me wrong, I absolutely love my relatives, but, no one can deny that we are one larger than life, no volume-control, pot-stirring bunch.

So how did I create my “namaste”? … Generally, with a little help from a rom-com book, beachy bike ride, handstand in the pool, or my new trick, meditation yoga.

  

Why yoga?

Because there’s no speaking (shhhhhh!). Well, technically.

Not surprisingly our group immediately found competition in flexibility levels (which I won) and pose knowledge (that one went to the Chicago uncle), but other than that, and a couple of awkwardly performed positions, this was the perfect time to clear my mind and repeat my “I Can, I Will, I DO!” mantra in my head.

Yoga is one of those intimidating workouts where it seems every time you walk into a studio you have to either claim you are a first timer or are expected to be a headstand pro.

I don’t know how much longer I can say, “I’ve never done it before” and then sit through a class re-learning warrior one and two for the twentieth time.

But with meditation yoga the pace is much calmer, expectations are minimal and, for the most part, the focus really lies on YOU.

I’d love to become a true yogi someday — not sure if its even going to happen — but it’s a nice thought.

For now I’ll take it slow, “ommmmm” my heart out, and keep my “chi” as grounded as possible while surrounded by my nearest and dearest – who always have the next round of 20 questions, sarcastic jabs and the best big hugs ready for me!

With savasana, good karma and endless family photos in my mind, XOXO,
Alex