Gina, trying to catch a wave.
This was my first attempt at surfing, yikes...it's much harder than I thought it would be, but so much fun. I must have sucked down 15 gallons of salt water and fallen way too many times before this photo was actually snapped. Very humbling experience and I can't wait to do it again, I'm not quitting until I can ride a wave all the way in. I do love a challenge and am always looking for a reason to go back to Hawaii. Nothing like a little ocean water to remind us just how small we really are in the grand scheme of things.
surfingNice one! I think surfing is the hardest sport out there, but those that do it say it's incomparable. It looks like you're born to it! Maybe a little more time in Hawaii is a GOOD thing. Life is relaxed, the water's warm.
I don't surf but I've watched it and my kids do it. So here's the coaching.
1. Your stance is perfect!
2. Now smile! You're on wave energy!
Weems
I watch the surfers here all the time. I particularly like watching the surfers with a parachute. When they fly. It looks so fantastic. I almost felt inclined to decide for skiing for my winter vacation... until I saw your picture:-) Perhaps I should learn how to surf instead.
Monika
Monika, that's kite surfing you're talking about. It's a wonderful sport combining surfing and windsurfing. I guess the best training for it is to literally learn to fly a kite.
They teach it in many places in Hawaii. If you want I can find you some connections to learn it.
However, if you don't come to Aspen, I'm gonna close the area!
Weems
I don't think I am ready for kite surfing. I am still having some shoulder problems... It's going to either be Aspen, Hawaii or Esalen, not sure yet. I always had difficulties making decisions:-)
Monika,
Surfing was such a rush. Of course I love the water and the sunshine. When I'm in the sun I can actually feel myself opening up much the same way a flower does when the sun shines. I definitely perform better in the sun, however, two years ago I took my boys to Tahoe so we could all take snow board lessons, HA! It was the funniest thing you ever did wanna see. Very very difficult. I've never been snow skiing, just never thought I could do it, but now that I've got a Colorado connection, hehehe (Weems) I do believe even I could snow ski. Tough call Hawaii, Esalen or Colorado/Weems...hmmmmm....let me know what you decide, you never know just who you'll see there.....
Gina
for a special Esalen alumni retreat:-) Weems as the group leader. It would be so much fun meeting you all in person.
Monika,
That sounds like so much fun. I already know Weems, but I would love to see him again and meeting you would be the icing on the cake. Besides, with Weems as the instructor I just don't see how I can go wrong, HA, maybe I will get up on ski's after all. What do you think, Weems???
and if I am the driver, I promise to stay within the speed limits:-) Gina, you don't live too far from me, we should really consider this, seriously:-)
Seems like we are all part of your female fan club:-)
And we want to ski:-)
It seems like I'm having delusions of adequacy here.
But, be careful about no-account seasoned ski geezers. They're notoriously untrustworthy.
Actually it's me that's a big fan of all of you. And that's really the truth of it.
We should get Steven Harper out here as well. Many of you don't know this, but he started as a ski instructor, before he went on to more serious pursuits! :)
Weems
I trust you, Weems at least more than I trust the surfers...:-) Why don't we all gather? We could form a skiing gestalt group.
I teach skiing in a ski week program with Tim Crum--an aikido master/ski teacher. I will suggest to him that, from now on, that's the name of his program!
By the way, if you all do come to Aspen, I recommend that you come for his program. It uses the the principles of aikido in application to skiing. The idea is to move with the energy of the mountain rather than against it. The metaphor of the skiing AND the aikido are very powerful for life changes. The program is called the Magic of Skiing. Check www.aikiworks.com I will definitely be involved in the Magic week in February, but not so sure about January. It is an amazing, wonderful ski week. Beginners welcome as well (Gina!) This is my favorite program.
Weems
Tim Crum------AIKIDO MASTER, I'm there. Monika, you better be the driver cause when I'm behind a wheel the only thing you see is a bleep and I'm gone. I cannot be trusted cause I drive as fast as I think and I'm a fast thinker who never stops thinking. I can do February, how bout you Monika. Oh, I am so excited, moving with the "energy of the mountain", I love it! Weems, you better watch out, we just may be coming to your mountain, hahahaha.
Gina
All of this from one little picture. I love it! What a great web site we have here.
Gina
I can't believe I typoed Tom Crum's name. I've only been working with him for 20 years. It's TOM Crum. He's wonderful. Gina, get Don to come out as well. And Steven!!! Dude, you need Aspen. It's time to glitter up!
And, jeesshhhh! Everybody here's a race car driver? Amazing!
Weems
This sounds like pure ITP (integral transformative practice a la Murphy and Leonard)... It looks fantastic and is a bit out of my price range ... Gina, perhaps we can negotiate a discount as we introduce Gestalt practice to the Aikido of ski:-)
Signing off for the day now. This is so much fun to communicate with you here now. Monika
Yikes, that is lots of $$$. Weems, we're California girls, all our income in wrapped up in inflated real estate, which is actually deflating much to fast for my liking. Talk to Tom's wife and let me know if she can swing anything. It sounds like so much fun and I really would like to do it. Hey, would you be instructing us as well?
Gina
Okay. Then I'll offer a plan B. Let me check my schedule for the season, and get some dates that I'll be available, and we'll work out something better. OR, if you want we can all go skiing at Mammoth or Tahoe in the spring! Or Snowbird in April! I'll show you the aiki stuff anywhere.
Weems
You'd do that? You'd come back to California and play with us at Tahoe? Yippee, let's see what Monika says. Well, I'm already starting to feel selfish, maybe we could work our Aspen, just not the Tom Crum thing, although I hate to miss that but as Mick Jagger says, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need", I'm good with that. Besides I don't wanna make you come all the way back out here. Let's make a plan and see what we come up with.
Ciao Bella
Okay, call me dumb, but I usually stay as far away from the snow as I can.
I can't promise yet, but I need some spring skiing--AND any excuse to hop on the motordragon. I also have friends in both places that could help me with my own lift tickets.
Weems
In fact, I love that. I do improv and for me this is a way of living. So Aspen sound like super fun. My second choice would be Tahoe because it is closer. Gina should be able to walk to Tahoe from her place. Perhaps we can then all spend a day or so before at Esalen too. I had to laugh when you said Mammoth was near Bishop. If someone doesn't know Mammoth, I doubt they know Bishop. :-) Keep up the spontaneity.
Gina what did you think of the book of the book?
Love, Monika
Oh, Bishop. Where the heck is Bishop.
Bishop? Just north of Big Pine. (It's near Yosemite.) But Tahoe's fine.
Thank you. Monika. Sometimes, for me, spontaneity is just a nice word for chaos. Lucky that I don't mind chaos, eh?
Weems
Monika,
I'm currently reading 3 books, Tom Crum - three deep breaths, Dan Millman - body mind mastry and Fierce Conversations, author escapes me. Sooooo, I've got the Book of Books waiting on the side lines. Monika, I'd like to take some workshops, classes, etc. on Gestalt, what do they have around our neck of the woods???? Can't go clear to Esalen everytime I want to soak up more good stuff. Any info you have is appreciated.
Ciao
Hi Gina,
There is the Gestalt Institute in San Francisco and they apparently have a branch in Mil Valley. They do have groups and individual therapy and they train. I work with Seymour Carter when I go to Esalen and he also does private sessions outside of Esalen. There are also some independent Gestalt groups in SF. I have not yet explored them but would like to do a weekly group. I am still hoping that Albert is able to open a second group on this site.... but I don't want to start this conversation here again.
Gotta run into a meeting now, Monika
Gina Wahine Wave Queen!