I have been struggling with The Bros K. but today, today I may have broken through.
Things started to shift in Part 1, Book 3 for me.
I couldn’t get past the whining and the histrionics of the beginning chapters, not to mention all the impossible-to-keep-track-of Russian names. When I can’t hear a name in my mind, but have to rely on just the graphical pattern of letters, I get lost.
I went to book group having slogged through just about 100 pages, and hoped the others who had read farther could assure me that there was light and ease and joy coming in the future.
That didn’t really happen, but I was inspired to keep slogging, just because.
Because it was Dostoevsky.
Because it was a classic.
Because I’ve read longer and more turgid books and god dammit I would read the Bros K. Even if it killed me. And if Linda R could do it, so could I.
It seems like so many things I’m doing these days are like this: grinds.
The Yoga Challenge, The Ultimate Yogi, the Bros K.
But when I got home from book group, bound and determined, I experimented with reading some of it out loud, hoping I could tune my ear to it, hoping I could find a way in.
And it worked! And I did! I started laughing because the way his characters narrate their lives sounds so much like modern conversations. These language patterns sounded so natural, I could hear myself talking exactly this way.
Is this the wonder of this particular translation?
I don’t know, but I am happily reading the Bros K. now, and really digging it.
Today was Day 27 of the Ultimate Yogi. Only 81 more days to go. I decided to just do the damn thing. No expectations. I don’t have to like it, I just have to do it.
But the last few days, I’ve been getting into it.
The Strength sequence is still a problem. Even when I think I’m doing okay and hanging in there, there it comes: that long hold in plank with alternate knees at the biceps. When that part comes, it’s nothing but oh fuck, oh god.
So hard.
All the other sequences I pretty much cruise through without a lot of suffering.
I’m starting to tire of his stories, though: the elephant sculpture one, and Hollow Bone.
Enough.
Note to Self: Kath, if you ever put a program or video online and you want it to stay evergreen?
Don’t talk too much.
Don’t tell stories.
Just instruct the yoga and the breathing with as few words as possible, no jokes.
Never make a joke. Because in all the world there is nothing staler than a joke on video. Especially on a video you want people to watch every day, or at least somewhat frequently.
The Yoga Challenge is 17 days in as of today, and though it’s going okay, there’s not the commitment that there was in the past. No, I shouldn’t say that. There’s the commitment, but things keep happening. Like Jury Duty happened to one person, and a medical problem flared for another one.
I don’t think there are too many people who can do something like this without a miss. Some things like jury duty can’t be helped. Some things like heart issues flaring, can’t be predicted, some things like college graduations can’t be missed. I get it, I do, but still.
So this will be it. I will really work hard to put it online next year. That way more people can do it. It’s not the daily yoga that’s the problem or the challenge, it’s the coming to class. So online might be the answer, I think.
The season is unlocking. Grass is greening, daffodil foliage is breaking through. I’m enjoying my long walks at the Hike and Bike with Stella everyday. That time spent with her is becoming an important and wonderful part of my day. She’s really a great little dog.
It’s feels good not to grind so much and just enjoy: the yoga, the reading, the season. Hallelujah.
Inspiration Location 