Today was our first day of Ashiatsu training...I love it! I think I'll really like this modality. Even though today felt awkward just because it's all new - using our feet instead of our hands - after some practice, it'll flow better for me. There are a few levels of technique to learn and I'd like to continue with it. We have 2 more days of training, and then we'll need to send in a written test, and 4 evaluations from people we practice on before we get certified. I like that it ended up being just Suki and myself - we both got worked on by the instructor and eachother so we can compare and give feedback.

I think I just like learning new things because whatever I take, I think, "Maybe I'll specialize in this"! =) I can see myself really liking Thai Massage and Lomi Lomi too. Fluid techniques that look like dance. It's interesting because this particular type of work is a blend of techniques - one being a type of martial arts training from India. In Aikido, we did a series of stretches, exercises and drills as part of our warm up and more stretches, breathing exercises and a little meditation at the end of each class. And I do remember doing some shiatsu type work along the spine on one another at the end of class sometimes. That and the stretching were my favorite parts of class! So the art form in India had this bodywork as part of their training.

Yesterday and today I was feeling like maybe I had allergies - sore throat, congested and sleepy. But I think getting worked on for about 90 min. today flushed things out of me. I still feel a little off, but I should be back to normal tomorrow - I hope.

I think I need to start doing more physical things like a martial art, dance or some other physical art form. And going to the gym doesn't count! Maybe it's the "art" part that I'm missing in my life.

When we were talking with the instructor, she was talking about how she was so disappointed in how the US fails in the area of nutrition and how greed took precedence over good eating habits. You could tell she was passionate about it. I like to see that in people. I want to find that in myself. I feel like I can be interested in so many things that I get lost easily.

It's like I can force myself to like anything if I had to. Oh, except teaching small children English in Japan! I tried that more than once and I think I almost gave myself a nervous breakdown! =)

Maybe I should start "The Artist's Way" again from the beginning and commit to doing to the exercises as if I were taking an actual class. I feel bottled up inside...like something is trying to make its way out, but I'm holding things in. 12 weeks. 3 months. If I start this week, I'll finish mid-Nov.