*Sigh*

I heart yoga brain. I heart meditation brain too. =)

Lynn's 7-day Yoga Challenge wraps up today. It's been a wonderful way to keep myself accountable (the stickers on the calendar, a la Shirls, also help). And I like that no two practices were the same.

Did you check out my guest post?


Tonight I chose a guided meditation followed by some gentle twisting, forward bends and garland pose (squat, aka malasana). It was just what I needed after a long day at work!

Now, to run a bath in my claw foot tub and read a bit before bed. Tomorrow's marathon training has me doing a long, slow distance of 8K.

Namaste.
The divine in me sees and acknowledges the divine in you.

TGIF!

Except I have to work tomorrow. Boo. But that's how I got last weekend off to go to Folk Fest. C'est la vie.

After I post this and shut off the computer, I'm winding down for the night! My yoga practice tonight will consist of:

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined cobbler's pose) with the Gayatri Mantra playing in the background.

Have you ever heard the Gayatri Mantra? It is one of the most auspicious mantras. Translated, it is:

Earth, Atmosphere, Heavens.
We meditate on the sacred light of the radiant source.
Let that inspire our thoughts.

My favourite version is by Deva Premal. It's absolutely beautiful.

And now, since my oh, so healthy snack (ripple chips and onion chip dip washed down with Rock Creek Cider) is complete, I need to roll out my mat!

Yoga Challenge Day 5

Today I did some yoga after my run before I left for work. I did the Summer Seasonal Vinyasa Flow by Melina Meza on myyogaonline.com.

It was meh. I didn't really like how she cued the class, I found it hard to follow along and the sequencing didn't really flow for me.

But I felt pretty good when it was done, so it did it's job. =) And I was almost late for work because I was luxuriating in my yoga brain.

I guess I'd better go write the guest post that I promised Lynn!

Doors Are Opening!

	Tuesday July 27	Thursday July 29
Lap 1 Run	6:04	6:35
Lap 1 Walk	9:19	8:55
Lap 2 Run	6:33	6:06
Lap 2 Walk	9:13	11:11 (WTF?!)
Lap 3 Run	6:20	6:45
Lap 3 Walk	9:50	10:18
Lap 4 Run	6:49	6:22
Lap 4 Walk	9:15	10:23
Lap 5 Run	6:51	6:24
Lap 5 Walk	9:22	9:37
Lap 6 Run	6:45	6:45
Lap 6 Walk	9:20	9:16
Lap 7 Run	6:44	6:40
Lap 7 Walk	9:00	9:52

Good morning! I got up with all intentions of running early, before the sun got too hot. Yeaaaaah….well, I got out there, and that’s all that matters. But it was hot! Here’s a breakdown of Tuesday and today’s runs. I’m happy with my running speed, so it’s just a matter of continuing to build on my base and slowly decrease the amount of time I walk!

 

So I think I may have found a place for me to have yoga classes in my neighbourhood! The price is right so all I have to do is go check out the space and sign a lease. Oh, and get my first aid, my company name registered, insurance, have signs and a website made….but the doors are opening, so who am I to argue?

Yoga Challenge Day 4

After work tonight, I booted up the ol' computer (literally, she's on her last legs and why, oh why, didn't I buy a Mac?!) and logged in to myyogaonline.com

This is my favourite place online for yoga! Why, you ask? Well, lemme tell ya.

1. It's Canadian! That's right, it's based out of and run by folks in Vancouver.

2. Variety. You can choose by yoga style, length of practice, or teacher. If you only have 5 minutes and need a guided meditation, you can get it here. Or, if you've got an hour and want to really push yourself with a vigorous practice, well, that's here too. Whichever way you slice it, it's win-win.

3. Affordable! For less than one drop in class at a local studio, I can have a month of yoga, when I want and what I want! Even better, when they turned one last month, I won the Facebook contest for a year of free yoga! =P

So what did I do tonight? A yin practice for summer by Melina Meza. I love that she designed the practice from an Ayurvedic (yoga medicine, basically) perspective. Yin is a slower practice that focuses on getting into the connective tissue by holding the pose for a longer period of time (the poses usually aren't referred to by their Sanskrit name to prevent you from comparing your practice to your yang practice). Breath is really important in yin yoga--as the connective tissue starts to loosen, the feelings can be incredibly intense. Using your breath to breathe into those spots and release the tension is the key. Have you tried yin yoga before? You should!

It was a great way to wind down at the end of the day.

And with that, I'm going to call it one. 'Night!

Marathon Training Begins!

Today was day number 1!

I'm following John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals run/walk program. Today's run was 35 minutes of 3:2.

4.70 km
372 cal
35:00

Whoo hoo!

Chandra Namaskar

I don't enjoy working evening shift. Unfortunately, this is my week. I came home and did a few rounds of chandra namaskar (moon salutations):



followed by headstand, camel, simple twist, and savasana.

It wasn't a very long practice, but a practice nonetheless. Chandra namaskar is a beautiful evening practice. Surya namaskar (sun salutations) are very yang or masculine. Chandra namaskar honours the feminine. It cools the nervous system and is an excellent practice for menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. The sequence emulates the moon--dropping into darkness before rising up again and radiating with brilliance. And I've never been a big fan of surya namaskar, but while practicing chandra namaskar I'm filled with peace and gracefulness.

Oh, and mom dropped me when I asked her to spot me in headstand. Note to self: get a better spotter! ;-)

Yoga Play Date

Today is day #2 of Lynn's Yoga Challenge.

My friend and fellow teacher Sonya came over to play!

We warmed up with a few rounds of Surya Namaskar (sun salutations). Then we played upside down for a bit:

Headstand (Look mom, no hands!)


This is actually from a few months ago. Today's headstand was free form, in the middle of the room. I just needed a spotter!

Then we played around a bit with pincha mayurasana and handstand. Photos from Yoga Journal.



We did some quad and shoulder warm ups and then brought out the big guns: Urdhva danurasana and Ustrasana




All of our backbends were counter balanced with forward bends, some twists and a lovely savasana.

Then we went outside and played with our hula hoops!

Le Sigh

Folk Fest is over for another year. *sigh*

My friend, M., was in town writing an exam on Friday and decided not to head home. We had a coffee Saturday morning and when she dropped me off at the park, I said, "We should get you a ticket." Easier said than done when it's sold out, but I'm not just another pretty face, people! Yay!! Folked the rest of the weekend and now am literally exhausted. There was lots of sun and I ran into oodles of people I know, which is great fun. And really, who doesn't love sharing some good tunes and good food with good friends?

My yoga today happened in the park. Every year there's yoga first thing Saturday and Sunday mornings. Also happens that my friend, Amy, teaches it! And C. & H. helped out this year. I've never made it down to the park early enough...until today!! We had a lovely practice in the sun that was mostly hip openers and twists to counteract all the sitting we'd been doing all weekend.

And now I must fall, exhausted, into bed for some much needed R & R!

Let the Folking Begin!

Check out the glow in the dark 4 day wristband!

If last night was any indication, I am in for a GREAT weekend! These guys are my new favourites! Although these guys were pretty amazing, too!

I went for a run so that I could justify-ably consume more mini-donuts, chicken bhoona and other fabulous treats that are available on the island.

7.90 km
1:00:18
630 cal

I also have realized that half-assing my physio exercises will NOT get me across the finish line in Honolulu. Physio takes priority! And now must go do said exercises...

Happy Folk Fest Friday!

480

Posts!

Pushed myself out the door this morning to run. It's hot and humid. Good prep for Honolulu! I didn't set out with a distance or time goal...instead I just wanted to run and see how I felt. I stuck (most of the time) to 3:1's, but nothing structured.

4.01 km
332 cal
28:39 min

My legs felt like lead most of the time, but I think if I'd gone longer and further, they'd feel better. I've come to learn that it takes me a good 5K to feel good. But alas, the foam roller and I shall make nice to work out said kinks.

On the emotional front, I'm doing pretty well. I'm surrounded by amazing, supportive friends. And it felt good when I saw S. last night to know that I looked good and he didn't. =P

Too little too late, I suppose.

And now I must get ready to folk!

Return to Singledom

Breaking up sucks. But it's bearable when you know in your heart of hearts that you have made the right decision.

And his words do nothing but solidify your decision.

Folk Fest this weekend is going to be great! I'll be surrounded by great friends, amazing music and a gorgeous island park. And there's a beer garden that makes a mean sangria!

Sunny Sunday!

What a perfect morning for a run!

59:19
7.53 km
598 cal

IT band feels good (we made nice with the foam roller when we got home), I feel good, it's all good. =)

Going hiking out by Canmore this afternoon then yoga tonight. I work tomorrow and then off till next Monday for FOLK FEST!

Quick Saturday Run

Was going to be late for coffee, so I just did a quick li'l run!

3.01 km
245 cal
21:39
7:12 km/h

Tomorrow will be longer!

Off to a yin yoga class this afternoon and maybe a bike ride. We'll see if that big burning ball of fire in the sky remains!

On Pigs and Yoga

Look who I get to look after this week:




This handsome devil is Squeak. His brother, Rusty, was hiding and didn't relish the opportunity for a blog photo. They live upstairs. Their humans are away for the week so I'm in charge of providing the parsley and carrots.

I was sick yesterday (Boo) but felt well enough by the time evening rolled around to go to a yoga class. My teacher was re-certifying another Anusara Inspired teacher and they needed guinea pigs (is there a theme to this post or what?). What a lovely class! Oodles of back bending (the Ayurvedic doc would be proud) and I must say, I think the possibility of me pushing up into Urdhva Dhanurasana is closer than first thought!

Today I'm going for coffee with the girls, then a yin yoga class my friend is teaching. I've been meaning to get there for ages, but Saturday afternoons don't always fit into my schedule. I'm making it work today! I also want to get a quick run in before coffee, so I should strap on the trusty Garmin and get out the door.

One last thing: the scale and I are still on speaking terms. This is good. =)

Happy sunshine-y Saturday!

Insert Witty Wednesday Title Here

1. Appointments with the physiotherapist are starting to become less painful. Progress!

2. Philadelphia Ranch Dip + Epicure Cheese Chives & Bacon = REALLY good. Especially with Veggie Chips. I've heard. That's definitely not the voice of experience talking.

3. Must run tomorrow. When? Not sure. Morning? Well, that would have to be 0430. Lunch? Only get 30 minutes and no shower facilities. I wouldn't subject my co-workers to that. And besides, when would I eat lunch? Maybe I could run before yoga? After yoga? Maybe yoga should be my activity tomorrow and running will occupy Friday's time slot. Yes, that's what I'll do!

4. Must knit! That baby blanket won't knit itself, and the baby has made it's appearance, so no more procrastinating there.

5. I'm babysitting the guinea pigs upstairs for the next week. They're adorable! Squeak & Rusty. I had a lovely glass of wine with one of their humans last night, too. I like that I like my neighbours/landlords & they like good red wine.

That is all. =)

Runnin' in the Rain

7.39 km
58:14 min
580 cal

Then I made a yummy potato salad:

10 new multi-colored potatoes (quartered and sliced, then steamed)
1/4 red onion, chopped
4 green onions, chopped (white and some green bits)
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 slice English bacon, cooked and crumbled
green beans, cut and steamed
1 small beet, steamed and chopped

vinagrette:
generous 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 TB EVOO
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp grainy mustard (mine is made in AB and has horseradish too)
pepper
1 tsp sugar

Coffee with a friend who's just got back from the UAE, then some serious knitting is going to happen. I got all caught up on Corrie last night, so there's no telly to watch!

And did I mention the rain? Maybe I should be building an ark instead...

It's Official!

I am officially a yoga teacher!

I taught my first REAL class (75 minutes)to people who paid (OK, made a donation to a great cause)! There were ten, count 'em ten (I counted twice, just to be sure), people! The rock and butterflies occupying my stomach all weekend have since left the premises.

It's all good. =)

Found My Mojo & Leaving on a Jet Plane!

Not sure where it was hiding, but I strapped on my Garmin and headed out this morning:

29:48 min
4.13 km
342 calories

I'll take it!

I'm teaching my first yoga class tonight! My fellow students and I have launched Yoga For The People! It's yoga for everyone. No experience necessary. No Lululemon necessary. Pay what you can. It's a yoga revolution in Calgary! Check out our Facebook page.

This is our Manifesto:

Breathe in and out. Deeply.
Rejuvenated and empowered.
Boldly learn, stretch, move.
Fit or not, flexible or not, fashionable or not.
Man or woman, young and young at heart.
You belong here.
Mind.
Body.
Spirit.
There is a place for you here, whenever, forever.
You are powerful.
You are strong.
You are all things.
Offer what you can, when you can. Pay it forward.
A new day. A new way. A new beginning.
This is yoga reinvented.
This is Yoga For The People.


AND....I booked my flight and condo for Honolulu!! I'm super excited and can't wait for a tropical vacation (oh, and a marathon)!

Still here....

Just busy! Mom and my niece showed up on Friday and we've been go, go, going ever since!

Just got home from seeing the new Shrek movie. LOVED it!!! Waaaaaay better than Toy Story 3. I heart Donkey.

=)

Summer Reading List

Two books I haven't been able to put down since I picked them up last Wednesday afternoon:

The Moose is Loose!

Early in the new year, my friend Jo and I signed up for this bad boy trail half marathon. Mostly 'cause we saw the great moose bling the half finishers got (that we did not for completing the 10K) last July. We want a running moose medal to wear around our necks!

It was to be Jo's first half and a great trail run pour moi! But alas, it was not meant to be. My IT band/knee are getting better, but there's no way I'm ready to run a half. And a river hilly, trail half at that! So I called Jo the other day...got the greatest message on her voicemail but didn't get to talk to her.

The phone rang last night and guess who? Yep! My bubbly friend! Turns out the very day that I called her, she injured not one, but two toes on her right foot in two separate instances! She stubbed the big one and split the newly pedicured flower decorated nail in half (apparently there was a geyser of blood). She got that under control, went to pick up friends at the train station and while showing them the sights in her fair city (Edmonton) by some freak coincidence, her friend (who wears nothing but steel toed boots) stepped on her baby toe and crushed it (she was wearing sandals, not steel toed boots)! OUCH!

So as of 11 p.m. last night, she's not even sure that she's going to be able to run. Regardless, we have made a pact that NEXT year we WILL run it, upright, uninjured and smiling!

And after discussing our running injuries (cause really, I think her toes will count as black toes, she's been training up till now and needs a much better running story to account for the injuries) we caught up on the rest of our lives. I love that even though we don't see each other very often, we can pick up the phone and pick up our conversation right where we left off.

I also love Facebook for helping me reconnect with my friends from uni that I lost touch with over the years. Jo is one of 'em (so are Sarah & Michelle) and I'm eternally grateful to have found them again.

And know what else I love about Jo? I can use an exclamation mark in EVERY single sentence, and I don't have to go back and edit them out! Our conversations (written or spoken) are always filled with exclamation marks! 'Cause that's just how we roll...

=)

Who knew?

Journalling + Exercise = Weight loss

Two weeks ago, I was five pounds heavier. The scale is going in the right direction again, and it feels great. Proper hydration, good food and writing it down will get me back to my goal weight.

What spurred me on? Hearing that the year was half over! Egad! Where did it go?! Oh right, I was doing my yoga teacher training.

What will the rest of 2010 have in store for you?

TGIF!

Three day weekend pour moi!

I had a pretty lazy morning and lingered over a lovely mug of chai and a tasty breakfast of quinoa, Almond Breeze original, Nutella and fresh cherries all warmed up in the microwave. YUM.

I needed to run some errands and while I could've done them all downtown, I chose to lace up the runners, strap on the heart rate monitor and go the non-efficient route. Walked to the bank, stopped at the post office to pick up my contacts and then hit the other bank on the way back. After what seemed like FOREVER at bank #2 (two tellers, really? Good thing I shut off the timer so I don't know exactly how long I had to wait. I'm guessing 30-45 minutes) I arrived home again.

36:09
3.9 km
241 cal

Had some lunch, did a load of laundry and loaded the dishwasher then headed out on my bike. I had to race the clouds all the way home from the reservoir!

1:15:29
20.36 km
696 cal

I'm enjoying some lovely grapes and then intend to soak in the tub for a bit. Yesterday was baby due date, so I MUST get some knitting done this weekend! But I also started a new book (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) for our work book club....I may have to alternate!

Happy Friday!

Still looking for sunscreen suggestions. Any ideas? I just want my shoulders and back to stop breaking out!!

Happy Canada Day, eh!

Unfortunately, I have to work this afternoon. Not such a bad thing, since it's cha-ching, double time!!

I've just had a yummy brekkie consisting of:
quinoa
Original Almond Breeze
1 tsp Nutella
fresh cherries
chai

My plan is to head out on the bike for a ride, BBQ lunch for S and then maybe head down to the park and see what's going on. I'm not so sure about that last bit...I don't like crowds. After work, I'm hoping to be awake enough to catch the fireworks downtown.

And then my three day weekend begins!

Tomorrow is plan free so far, but there will be a run and a bike in there somewhere. Saturday I have an Ayurvedic consultation in the afternoon and Sunday we're going to S's folks. I'm hoping that either we'll go out for lunch or we're taking lunch with us. Anything to prevent his mom from cooking! There's a cute little tea house in Nanton (not far from them) that I would like to check out. Much better than overcooked meat and bizarre food combinations.

What's your weekend plan?