Berkeley Yoga Birthday

I recently traveled to Berkeley, California to take my Iyengar Yoga certification test, and I passed!
Being from the bay, it was nice to be somewhere familiar but also new to explore.  I stayed at an AirBnB, very close to the yoga studio.  I felt very at home in the community- the local shops and people were wonderful.  I spent one day just hanging out with people, I did not even thinking about the test, acting like I live there!
The day before the assessment, I explored the neighborhood. I spent much time talking to Reverend Betty Gray at her gift shop on Alcatraz Ave. We vibed on the teachings of the Universe, she shared with me about the community, how she opened up her shop and some of the lessons she learned along the way.
I visited Hercules Records, spent a lot of time in there going through many albums.  I picked up a few- including a "Dirty South Anthems"--of course.
I had lunch at Easy Creole, a girl cannot resist some cornbread.
There's a really cool brewpub in the neighborhood too, Hoi Polloi. I'm not much of a beer drinker but I've been trying many different kinds since my one night in Munich (on the way back from Budapest).  I figured, I'm here, might as well enjoy myself.  So I ventured in there and the couple who own the place are so friendly! They let me try a few beers to help me decide.  They serve up truffle popcorn with the brews, there's something about truffle...yum.
The next day was the first day of my assessment, also my birthday.  I woke up feeling great. I walked to Home Grown Oakland, to have breakfast and get some last minute studies in. When I walk in there Blackstreet was playing. Who plays Blackstreet nowadays? I inquire, Robin who works the counter, said something along the lines of "90s R&B is the only R&B that matters..." LIFE. So my birthday started off really well, with a delicious breakfast, amazing jamz and study time.

Now for this test I've been preparing for what feels like years, I walked to Adeline Yoga for day 1 of assessment. There were only 6 of us to take the test, it was nice to meet everyone and the assessors made the experience nice and light. I really enjoyed my time with everyone.  It was tough though, I felt a little roughed up after day 1.  I had some Thai food with a new friend and we went our separate ways to prepare for day 2, the teaching portion. This is the portion that is supposedly the most difficult.  I knew I had prepared myself for this, all I've been doing for the past 8 months is study and practice. So I went through my sequence one time that evening and left it alone.  Day 2 which was the 2nd anniversary of Guruji's passing --RIP to him (it was quite a weekend), came and it was time for me to teach.  My practice was beyond the teaching portion of the test, it was yoga that I had to practice, to keep the fluctuations of the mind at ease, to be present.  

Thanks to Berkeley for a lovely time, I am grateful for the people I met during my stay there and the new friends I made. I'm a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher now. I'd say it was a pretty great birthday this year. Until next time, blessings to you all.