The day after a grueling ballet class with Joan Bayley, a Brit who used to dance for Balanchine, I decided to take yoga instead of my usual Sunday pointe class. I'm not much of a yoga fan (I miss the music that makes ballet such a joy), but I'm always willing to try a new class.I discovered the Santa Monica Yoga studio, a cozy and colorful place with hardwood floors, where I met the above Buddha. They offer a great deal - a one-month unlimited classes package for new students for only $50, which I bought, so you may hear more about yoga on this blog in the coming weeks.
Less than a block away on Ocean Park Blvd, I found an amazing little store, Kultura, that carries used books and vintage dresses - it's like this place was made for me! I'll post more extensively about it soon.
Speaking of books, what have I been reading? I enjoyed the great Hermione Lee's essays on writing biographies, Virgina Woolf's Nose. And right now, I'm reading D. J. Taylor's Bright Young People, an exploration the 1920's London where the gilded youth partied to the sound of jazz. The beautiful cover of the books is a photograph by Cecil Beaton, a Bright Young Thing in his own right and a forever genius.
Emily Dickinson
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26 comments:
how fun, maybe Norm will join that class one day :) I can't wait to be done with my semester so I can read for fun and not just ensayos!
Essays are my favorite food, so I will check out that suggestion.
SEALAURA - HA, I had already forgotten about that whole dog yoga things I posted about.
I know what it's like waiting for the end of the semester to read what you really want to read... Fortunately these days I can read whatever I want all the time.
ALTADENAHIKER - essays are yummy.
Gracias por las recomendaciones de libros, siempre son bienvenidas!
Beautiful contrast of colors in your Buddha shot.
And please please book me for the Santa Monica Yoga in May!
I agree with Laura about the lovely color contrasts in the Buddha photo! The shop sounds great! Yoga, books, and vintage dresses ... a serendipitous meditation! OMMM!
LAURA - I can't wait for you to be here...
J ELAINE - see, all the cool things we could do if you came to visit me!
Thanks for dropping by Mary-Laure, I've been photographing faces on tombstones for rather a long time, thinking at least a trace may live on with the photos after the images on the stones have disappeared, weathered away. I like your blue Buddha here, looks like you have a lively blog going, percolating... My wife does alot of yoga, and swears by it, I did a little some time ago... the breathing exercises can be wonderful. So, are you in Paris or California ??? Or both ?
What a wonderful adventure for the senses. I love that the shop specializes in old books and dresses! I enjoy yoga, but it took time.
Mary-Laure, it still facinates me that Buddha has different appearance/faces in different regions... ~Peaceful week beautiful!
those books sound glorious! what a beautiful sunday you had.
xo
All lovely finds.
OWEN - I moved to Los Angeles from Paris a few months ago and I'm loving it!
DEBRA - I hope I end up enjoying yoga too...
Ton buddha est très beau
I have always loved the phrase "bright young thing." I've been thinking of it a lot, as I count my new grey hairs!
Enjoy your yoga class. You should do some yoga at home to that music you love so much. I do yoga while watching Magnum P.I. reruns. I do it because I like to, and because there is no "right way" to do yoga, as long as you are careful about your breath and alignment.
oh i love doing yoga too....and i get into to it...then somehow allow lie to take over and then stop...foolish me, because it really is a wonderul thing! oh and that store sound great...i love when i make new discoveries...and how wonderul that your mum will come soon!
nancyxx
Used books and vintage dresses? That sounds like a perfect shop! :)
TRAVELER'S SOUL - je savais qu'il te plairait...
HADLEY - Ha, I love the idea of doing yoga while watching those reruns! At least it keeps you head clear.
NANCY - I've been trying to love yoga for some time now... Maybe if I find the right teacher and style for me...
I'm super excited about my mum's visit in May. AND my sister will be visiting me too, right before my mum, as of April 30. Isn't that great? I'm counting the days already!
REBECCA - I agree, it is just perfect!
I've had my eye on that book forever...you must tell us how it is once you're done! Hope the yoga studio works out for you...my favorite one has switched to private sessions only so I'm feeling a bit adrift at the moment...
Right now I'm reading 'A Story Of Love And Darkness' by Israeli author Amos Oz. A very dense book where the birth of a nation meets the beautiful and tragic story of Oz's family. It took me some time to get into it as it features an entangled mix of life stories and anecdotes, but I'm officially addicted now.
LAURA - I understand; I would feel LOST if my favorite dance studio in Paris or LA closed.
BILLIE - you know, someone else recommended that book to me and I'd love to read it; I read another book by Amos Oz last summer and admire his writing.
Yes, his writing is amazing. I also read a sort of children's tale of his, 'Suddenly in the Depth of the Forest' (A Fable for all ages), a very short book that mesmerized me, scary yet dream-like.
I've been meaning to take up Yoga for ages!!!! It's just really tough to find a class to suit me ....and I might be indulging in some laziness at the same time .... :D
BILLIE - I hadn't heard of that book, thanks! I love it when great authors write for children.
CHICK - yes it's so difficult to find the right teacher, the right studio, the right people...
that's wonderful wish I could find affordable yoga classes where I live :) and tell us more on yoga. I'm loving Yoga lately!
SOFIA - no problem, I intend to post more about yoga in the weeks to come...
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