Exhale – AIDS LifeCycle 2006 – Day of Registration

In Iyengar Yoga Classes we speak of the exhalation of the breath. . . .. …   In personal practice, if one has a tendency toward anxiety and is trying to release stress, a breath ratio that emphasizes exhalation will be more helpful.

05 June 2006 – 5:45pm- Day Zero – The Day of Registration

As I walked around the Cow Palace doing the traditional “standing in line. . ” I was greeted by Xmas Past, Xmas Present, and Xmas Future . . ..

1. I reassured 1st Time Cyclists’ that hot water would be available.

2. Upon seeing the faces of veteran riders, I was confident that I was doing the right thing …

3, AFTER “Cycling Mentor” – Kyle Rich & “Daddy” – Chick Pipher reached their $2,500 pledge minimum, I began to smile.

4. I realized … this is it. “Houston, we have a GO.”

"We hope for the best; we fear for the worst, and they are always based in the future. I am afraid of something. It is not right now. But I’m afraid of something that’s coming; I’m afraid of something that could happen; I hope for something to happen. It’s never dealing with the actual moment. You don’t hope for the present. The present is simply present."

Between now and 4:00am can be the toughest time for an AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist.

Why?

Because, during 6 months of training rides, we’ve talked all the talk …

And now ……we’ve got to walk the walk .. . ..

So . . whether they’re a roadie, a cyclist, and/or staff, . . . .if you’ve got a friend out their on this journey . … send an email and tell them “exhale.”

So . .

The mind can be thought of as a lake. When a lake is calm,  it sits still , the reflection is clear.   Yet sometimes, a pebble falls into the lake and creates rings of disturbance.   And eventually, the rings can grow and disturb the clear reflection of the lake.   Then everything, around and within the lake, is disturbed.. The same is with the mind .. .. So, keep your mind still . .. . And don’t be influenced by the pebbles which fall within your path."   "Amused like a mother, dispassionate like a sage, doggedly like an endurance cyclist, breathing like a twisted Yogi . . . . . . you go on."

So, if you’ve got a lover, partner, friend, neighbor, taxi driver, yoga teacher, and/or maid on this 585 mile, 7 day, journey:

1. Pick up the phone and send your words of support.

2. Email them.

3. “Fed Ex” a San Francisco Mission District Burrito.

4. Chant

5. Shoot off a flare ..

6. Exhale.

And if you’re a cyclist, roadie, cheerleader, volunteer, staff, “Ginger”, and/or “The Chicken Lady”

1. Please remember, as long as you walk with good intentions, don’t be concerned with the outcome of your actions. . .

2. Laugh.

3. Learn from your enemy.

4. If you want to whine . . . imagine what it would be like if 2, 500 people started whining “together”

5. If you need a hug …..I’m here.

6. Exhale

P.s.

Check out the AIDS LifeCycle Experience

Check out the AIDS LifeCycle – 2006 Pictures