Chill AF.

I haven't been to yoga in a while.

Not as long as I haven't posted, but a long while.

I'm trying to build up strength again, so I'm going to Level 1's. Today I went to the Community Class and it was inspiring. Sure, they're not as quiet before class starts, but I grabbed a spot in the back and forgot about how much I love just watching yoga.

Also, very happy that I haven't lost as much strength as I would believe.

Might try my hand at this blogging thing again, or might not. Just updating because once again yoga has made me feel amazing.

Kapotasana

Yoga has been wonderful lately.

Recently, I was introduced to the pose, Kapotasana. I'm in love.

I'm not really a heart opener type of girl, but this pose speaks to me. So far, I haven't tried to come down to my forearms, and I can only hold the pose for a few breaths, but it's something I can't wait to work on.

Speaking of heart openers, I've made a little progress with Wheel.

What I really can't wait for is increased core strength. I can get into a tripod headstand setup, but I'm not quite there with the lift. I've also made some progress here.

I also love that I don't really get sore anymore...

I may end up stopping this blog and focus on a pen and paper yoga journal... I'm not too sure on how exactly I want to do it, but I'm looking into it. It's tough to Google "yoga journal" because of Yoga Journal, but I haven't abandoned it just yet. I will actually Google "keeping a yoga journal" after this. That will probably help.

I tandem, I might also just keep a journal on Pinterest. I don't like putting up Google search images and somehow would feel more justified by pinning it.

Any thoughts on keeping a yoga journal?

Still practicing...

Yoga has been on and off lately. More on than off, but I afford to do more.

I'm about to embark on another 30 in 60 day challenge, and for some reason this doesn't seem like it will be too hard for me this time around. (I think last year it was forty classes.)

I've been able to hold Crow for longer, except I do well when I forget to breathe.

Tripod Headstand will get there one day. What I really need to do is work on my core more. It's difficult to lift up through the core for that, but I can feel that I've got the general idea.

I've been pushing up into a pseudo-Wheel! If I can build more strength in my arms, I may be able to push up fully one day. I think my back will acclimate to the stretch as I work with it. Also, I need to make sure I stretch out my quads a bit more when I do this posture.

One day, I noticed my Standing Splits to be a little better than what it used to be. I have to try to remember to try Monkey God with blocks.

I also want to remember to do Dancer. I think the one day I will reach a full expression could be soon if I remember to work on it. On that note, my King Pigeon needs some home practice love.

Recently, I took a 101 Course just because I thought I needed a refresher on some basics. It was cool to see that I HAVE made progress. When I get into a low lunge, my foot reaches all the way. I've trained myself to gaze forward during Chaturunga. The 101 Course was not what I needed. I needed the Level 1 Class.

I need to update this more often. Writing about my progress makes me excited to do more.

Recent Yoga Pandora Love: Ghost Loft station... next up will probably be Emancipator.

Namaste, beautiful people.

Thich Nhat Hanh Living Mindfully

Be forewarned: this video is two hours long. Worth the whole watch, but let me recap.

My favorite part was the first forty minutes with Oprah interviewing Thich Nhat Hanh. His lack of ego humbles me, and often his speech moves me to tears. A memorable part for me was his description of his practice: to learn to care for your suffering in order to care for the suffering of others.

The Dhamma Brothers segment was interesting for me because if I ever am in a place of knowledge and resources, I would love to bring these types of programs to prisons, rehabilitation and mental health facilities. In all reality, I feel like there's something I could do, but my life is too much of a jumble right now.

I hope to watch at least Thich Nhat Hanh's interview to begin my New Year. I've created a New Year's Inspiration playlist, and I'm hoping it'll get my head in a good place for the rest of the year. Heck, maybe I should watch it every six months.

Anyway, I hope this has moved you as much as it has moved me, and I hope we are all taking our lives in more positive, compassionate, and mindful directions.

Namaste.

I did morning yoga. -What?!

I may be currently laying in bed, but I actually did yoga in the morning for the first time in 3 or so years.

I'm not a morning person at all, and the fact that I'm doing it on a Monday is even more impressive. I spend weekends at the S.O.'s place. He snores. Monday's I play sleep catch up. Today was nicely different. 

Went to a Hot Power Fusion at Core Power for the first time.  I normally don't like hot classes, but I thought it might be nice on a winter morning (despite the mildness of winter so far). And it was!! 

For some reason today was one of the few days I wake up energized. I'm hoping to go to a 6 am class every now and then, but, if I can go a few times in a month, I'll consider it a success. Like I said not a morning person at all.

With the New Year coming, I'm glad I already have a pretty steady practice and I don't need or want to have an "overhaul" resolution. I'm at the point where I want to keep it up at least, but practice more in general. It's lovely to feel my progression. 

As for now, I feel great. I think I'll either watch a little YouTube or put on a podcast and enjoy my coffee. Then, it's GTD time!

Have a great week lady and gentlemen yogin!

Namaste. 

The lives of my very well loved yoga mats.

I bought my first mat in 2010. It's a brown, Gaiam brand mat - no longer available on the site. My only and deciding criteria was that it was the thickest mat available at the time. Which is not that thick (5mm) compared to some other ones. (I'm looking at you Jade mats!).

In retrospect, I really think my preference for thick mats stems from previous experience with knees on ground action. I actually practiced without a mat with Yogi Toes recently, but the Chaturunga taken on the knees situation was not nice.

Anyway, back to my first mat. I can't believe it's only been 4 years. Still not sure if it feels like longer or shorter... :-T This has been my mat at X-Sport and Core Power Yoga. This is also the mat I took to my first Wanderlust in the City this past May. I still use it in home practice, but I definitely upgraded with my next mat. A nice mat actually does make a difference!

Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip

It's black like a real yogi's! :-P But in all seriousness, look at that beautiful mandala-esque print. Click here to buy. (I am not paid at all for this endorsement.)

I only own two mats (so far!), but this one is the favorite child. It seems like this is Gaiam's favorite child too. This is the one mat prominently featured on the site and in ads. It can still be slippery once I get sweaty shoulders down to do core work, but it's a non-slippery dream when dry. Also at 5mm, its constructed to feel thicker, with more padding. I got this one at the end of 2013, and its already got some substantial love.

Check out the design up close!

As you can tell, I am partial to Gaiam. I may want to try the Jade mats. They have some REALLY thick ones that feel as if they'd be (even more) less slippery. If I wanted a thin mat, I'd just get a travel one. And there's just too much controversy, true or not true, regarding Lululemon. Prefer to avoid instead of support, even though their mats are VERY popular and do seem to be of great quality.

Either way, I'll let you all know the next time a mat joins my family!

Namaste. 

Gliding through my practice.

When taking time out for a home practice, maybe what you need to do is make is special. Light some candles, turn off the light, and put on your favorite yoga Pandora station.

Mine today was "Such Great Heights" by the Postal Service station. 

Practice was nice today. Built heat, but went at a soothing pace. Still jacked with energy because that's what it'll do to me, but I'm a night person anyway.

Gotta get off the screens so I can sleep sooner rather than later. Maybe listen to the Star Talk podcast while I do Savasana in bed. 

Oh, and I've rediscovered the single-task lately. It not only obviously makes you focus more, but you feel more fulfilled once the task is done. 

Om Shanti

Namaste.