TODAY'S WORD: orteil (m)
: toe
le gros orteil = big toe
le petit orteil = little toe
la bague d'orteil = toe ring
Say arrondissement the French way. Watch the demonstration, here, by David from FluentFrench.com
EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Il est possible qu'au début vous ne puissiez rester que quelques secondes dans chacune de ces postures, ne renoncez pas, chaque jour le ressenti est différent, chaque jour est un autre jour pour votre corps, ressentez vos limites, respirez dans vos limites, ces postures non seulement étirent vos pieds, orteils, chevilles mais également votre mental!!
It is possible that at first you can only stay a few seconds in each of these postures, do not give up, every day the feeling is different, every day is another day for your body, feel your limits, breathe within your limits, These postures not only stretch your feet, toes, ankles but also your mind !! (Google Translation)
ECOUTEZ – Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the example sentence in French: Download Orteil file
Or click HERE to listen to Jean-Marc read the example sentence
Thank you for your helpful comments about How to Listen to the Sound Files while Reading the Text! Today I am adding a second option (see the inline link, above, and please let me know if this helps!
Improve your spoken French with Exercises in French Phonetics
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
Yoga and Wine (and one more lost home…)
If the way in which Jean-Marc and I met our yoga teacher wasn't unusual enough, the way our first cours came to a close was: we sat in a peaceful circle drinking wine!
I do not drink alcohol but was happy to trinquer avec un verre d'eau. My thirst began sometime during the 2-hour session when I could have kicked myself (but for a sudden leg cramp, a foot cramp and a toe cramp…) for not bringing along something to drink. On a long hike I would not forget water, apparently yoga is as strenuous.
Strenuous may not be the word to describe a newbie yoga experience. Terms like awkward, humbling, painful, and mon Dieu (Mon Dieu I'm out of shape!) come to mind. And there are other terms–orteille, thorax, cheville, talon…– some of which need more than a dictionary (a Map of Human Anatomy would help, so that next time when I hear "press your orteilles into the ground" I will strain to press my toes (and not my ears) to the floor! Imagine trying to press both ears to the floor at the very same time. You would need some very long oreilles…).
All in all, our first séance de yoga went well. The relaxing music and the pleasing spicy scent in the air (encense?) along with our teacher's raspy, down-to-earth voice put us at ease, despite a Mistral wind that threatened to rip the roof off the studio–located right inside the cozy home of our yoga instructor.
Finally I love our teacher and new friend, Dominique (even if she DID, with much emotion and tears, choose another couple for whom to sell her 1930's vintage French house…). And I adore "Tao"–Dominique's black and white border collie who attended class with us: front and center stage–on a mat beside her Master. We also met some more new friends: Valérie, Aurélien, and Marise — veritable contortionists after only 6 months with Dominique! While toasting with a glass of Jean-Marc's rosé (a peace gift he offered our seller-come-yoga instructor, who then shared it with her students) they assured us things will get easier. I like to see the universal meaning behind that promise.
In the space of 10 days we had lost yet another house but gained a new friend and teacher. A wise woman at that, for in refusing to sell us her home, Dominique set us on a path toward what may turn out to be just the right place…. "Et oui," Dominique agreed, "une porte se ferme, une autre s'ouvre." One door closes, another opens up.
….
Stories you may have missed…
1. The first house we tried to buy, after deciding to sell our vineyard
2. Did you know this rule for cheese? French cheese etiquette here
FRENCH VOCABULARY
trinquer = to toast
un verre = a glass
d'eau = of water
l'orteil = toe
la cheville = ankle
le talon = heel
une oreille = ear
le cours = class
l'encense = incense
la séance = session
le/la contorsionniste = contortionist
Want to speak French fluently? 30-Day French will teach you everything you need to know to speak French on your next trip to France with 30 lessons based on real-life conversations. Try it out.
FRENCH KNIT REUSABLE ECO SHOPPING BAG – made and knit in France!
FOUTAS – perfect gift : quick dry towels for camping, sauna, gym, and yoga!
TISANES – French herbal teas. My family drinks one every night, to help drift off to sleep.
WORDS IN A FRENCH LIFE: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Oh well done Kristi and many thanks for the new-style link to hear Jean-Marc. For me – and hopefully all our blog friends, or at least those in need – it works a treat. I just clicked and got the invite to “Open or Save” (or both). I chose Open and Jean-Marc began. If the logo for the sound obscures the blog page, just drag it to lower down so that you can read his words. I do hope everyone can listen AND read now. I do sympathise with those who are not techno whizzes as I’m not either.
Thank you, Margaret. Great to have your feedback. And if anyone here has ideas on how to improve the reading (tech advice welcome!) please chime in!
Update. The new link only seems to work at the blog!
Heres what to do if you would like to access it via your email: when you receive todays email click it open. Next, click on the title of the post and you will be taken directly to the current blog post where you can access the new sound file (it looks like a long gray block).
Yoga is a wonderful practice for the mind, body and spirit. It helps me be compassionate, non-judgmental and patient, both with myself and others. And I see these qualities in YOU when you can take a
class from someone who didn’t sell you the house you wanted! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you’ve found this oractice or teacher at this time in your life! Namaste!
FluentFrench.com
I clicked on and wow….the explanation on how to hold your mouth when saying the French “R” was masterful! (As a former speech therapist, this man knows how to demonstrate! ) The cartoon pictures of the mouth and tongue are right on! And in the blog there are other words he shows. At last….how NOT to sound so American. BUT I was relieved to learn that the French think the way we English speakers say “beaucoup”…as BOW-KOO, is cute.
Thank you, Julie!
Hi, Nyla, just forwarded your comment to David. He will appreciate it. Thanks.
Nyla here again….I meant to say that it was I who was a former speech therapist who admired the youtube presenter…. MY oops.
Hi Kristi,
Thanks for the post today and Namaste! Here is a funny video of pets interrupting yoga! 🙂
Lovely post. I studied for my yoga teacher training certification during a very difficult time in my life. The deeper practice was beneficial, but so was being surrounded by a lovely community.
Kristi, I’m sorry about the lost house opportunity. However, I’m glad you found yoga. I promise, it absolutely does get easier with regular practice. I have seen 60-year-olds transform within a matter of months from what they refer to as ‘tight pretzels’ into — their words, again — marshmallow. 🙂
P.S. Yoga and wine / yoga and chocolate retreats are becoming quite chic in North America.
Bonjour, Kristin,
I have been a reader for over 5 years and either don’t recall or
missed reading about le Mistral which you mentioned today. You
and your neighbors must have some Mistral stories which would be
interesting. Perhaps you coul share some Mistral stories?
Good morning! I was able to hear both recordings! I am so glad to hear that you are trying yoga. I am a yoga teacher….As for water….try sipping water throughout your day, especially the day you take a class. It helps to be completely hydrated before class begins. When we gulp too much water in a thirsty rampage, it runs right through us….Hope you continue to enjoy yoga…Don’t give up. I am nearly 63 years old, have been doing yoga for 30 years and look like I am 21…..(NOT REALLY!)…Much love, Eileen XO
Aww Ricard looks almost exactly like my Amelie
You would love the mostly yin yoga class I teach on Friday morning. We lie on the floor and moan a lot, and call on God to help us! And contrary to standard practice, we chat and laugh a lot. We were the Busted Down Broads, but now we are the Nasty Women.
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful post that just fills us with smiles and hugs!
As always,you are an inspiration!Not only for trying something new and healthy–yoga–but also for turning a negative(loosing the house)into a positive with a new friend,teacher,and encouraging copines!(especially like Dominque’s quote!)
Love
Natalia XO
PS Eileen,joking or not,21 sounds terrific to a turning 70 year old!
Wow! Please gimme some of that.RIGHT NOW!!!! 🙂
Once again I am smiling after reading your post!
I have practiced yoga off and on for years and can’t begin to tell you what a difference it has made in my life! Since the first of this year I have been taking five classes a week; one of the classes is restorative yoga.
Looking forward to hearing more!
Namaste!
Yoga has been in my life for more than 25 years. I am a certified yoga teacher. I take classes five days a week and so enjoy them. Keeps me humble and calm (most of the time!!!) but most of all gives me joy. I agree with Eileen sip the water before class. The reason not to sip in class is because as you build the fire every time you sip water you put it out which uses so much more energy to practice. So before and after helps to stay hydrated. We are at 87 degrees today so hydrate, hydrate is on my mind.
xoxo
Yoga changed my life. You made me laugh out loud with your description in the third paragraph. I remember my first classes when I was so out of shape and not flexible. I have been practicing now for nine years and am turning 68 this year. I intend to practice for as long as I can.
Wishing you luck with finding your next house.
Yoga! Yay! Good for you et J-M to try this. I have practiced & taught for years and attest to its beneficial effects.
A word of caution: please take it slow and easy, no pain ever. The goal is not to “get into the perfect pose.” Rather, move with the breath, focus on alignment…our bodies have spent decades being a certain way, often tight and restricted, so it takes patient practice to open up the spaces and places!! All bodies are different. Try not to look at/compare yourself to anyone else. Yoga is like a flower unfolding, one breath at a time.
Be gentle with yourself, dear Kristen. Namaste!
oreilles v orteils — I am sure, given my poor state of hearing, I would have been completely flumoxed by the command to put my ears to the floor. You are a good sport to share what you do with the class, chere Kristi. Fingers (and orteils) crossed as you move forward to your next house.
Chere Kristi, can you tell me the type of yoga Dominique teaches? I am an Iyengar yoga student and I have a dear feiend in La Cad who Would like to try Iyengar.
TIA Betsy