Day 24 February 23, 2012

You do not know what your experience on the mat will be until you step onto it.  Ahhh, the beauty of yoga.  Every day is a chance for a new opportunity to discover. Each day our bodies reflect a new version of itself, based on what it’s been doing in the past. 

Today, during Strength I realized that these sessions are as challenging or gentle as I make them.  The “Ultimate” self-adjusting physical practice.  Today, I worked my edge very strongly and reaped sweet, blissful sweat because of it.

Will do my core and meditation later.

Have been sleeping heavily … and restfully.  Sookie woke us up this morning at 4am with her "clackity clack" footsteps on our cold tile floors.  I took it as an opportunity to leisurely check my email and have a cup of coffee before practice. 

Now, onward towards a wonderful day!

Day 23 February 21, 2012

Snow shoed for three hours – 13k on Sunday… so, missed my Ultimate Yogi class.  

Then Monday, work and an unexpected visit from the mother-in-law made the entire day disappear. 

My mistake … I “slept in” because of the holiday and didn’t take that 90 minutes for myself.  I was unable to find time to squeeze it in.  This “missing” workouts didn’t happen for me when I was ok with 20 or 30 minutes of exercise …

I must budget time like I do our finances ... 

I reconciled the day off, but in hindsight I think I need to find a happy medium.  On days I know I am going to have to squeeze in a quickie, I will just have to substitute something else instead of skipping entirely.  I get so rigid when "on a plan."  So much being revealed on this program.  

I have to be easy on myself for not doing this program to a “T.”  Just because I used to practice 90 minutes, 6 days a week does not mean that is my reality now.  Habits take at least three weeks of continuous repetition to stick and I’m getting there with this new habit.  It's all a process.

So happy to finally get to The Ultimate Yogi Cardio class today.  Quietly completed the fast paced flow at 5am and so happy I did – much better start to the day.  Yoga has always been my “moving meditation” and I needed it today!

Finishing another Pineapple Parsley Yummo smoothie now … that combo of the herbaceousness of the parsley with the tang of the pineapple is a winner! 

Mediation tonight ... looking so forward to it!

Day 21 and 22 February 17 and 18, 2012

Yesterday, I did a 30 minute Tracy Anderson DVD and then attempted to do Mountain Pose/Pranayama /Meditation, but the day got in the way and had to stop about half way through Mountain Pose.  I just felt I needed more than the program demanded yesterday and then I never finished what was on the schedule.  But, it was a great day – so, all is forgiven. 

Today – started with 20 minutes of cardio instead of HardCORE and then rocked the start of my fourth week with the CrossTrain class.  This one’s not getting any easier!  Loving these classes … just wish I had more hours in my day.

Little note on mats … my trustee Manduka has become quite the slip fest since I washed it, so today I used some Wiseways Herbals “Tea-Tree Foot Powder” on my hands and feet to get some grip.  (I have no financial stake in that recommendation - it's just good stuff.)  Worked like a charm!

Off to real life weekend stuff now …  

Day 20 February 16, 2012

Ok, so you definitely don’t need the gym to get a thorough “workout” from these DVD’s.  I woke up so sore I did not want to get out of bed.  Between meditating right before bed (really good, deep 15 minute guided last night) and major effort during these classes, I’ve been reaping deep slumber.

Just finished Vitality and feel ready for the day.  Bit of an inner monologue during class, thinking about what I would journal today instead of being present in class.  I was thinking about WHY someone who just wrote a blog on gyms being “icky” was feeling the desire to get into one so badly.

A little background on me … I work from home for the bulk of my job. I have an online position that requires me to be logged into a computer five, sometimes eight hours a day.

It’s a bit isolating.

Perhaps I was feeling the need to participate in that part of gym culture that I sometimes detest … the social aspect.

So, to remedy … lunch out with a girlfriend today before work.

Smoothie time now!  Really good one today!

Pineapple Parsley Yummo

Makes 2 servings - use organic when possible!

2 cups water

3 cups organic baby spinach

big bunch Italian parsley

1 cup frozen pineapple

1 frozen banana

1 packet Stevia

Blend and enjoy!

Day 19 February 15, 2012

Did 15 minutes of another core focused DVD before diving into Detox.  Detox has become my fave of the series so far, as I build the most heat and really dig the more detailed instruction in a lot of the poses, but especially in triangle, revolved triangle and revolved half moon. 

I love strength challenge of  the yogi “dive bomber” push ups and the full plank knee to shoulder and rotation to opposite shoulder.  Makes me want MORE!  

But, the “hardest” pose of all continues to be savasana.

Also – struggling a bit today with the strident commitment to the program.  Kind of feeling a bit of the “gym bug” and am feeling a bit “trapped” by the time commitment and stridency of the program.

There is just not enough time in my day to accomplish all of the fitness and mind/body activities I want to do!

Looks like I’ve got something to meditate on later …

Day 18 February 14, 2012

I had to hit the “pause” button on The Ultimate Yogi program for a few days.

Sometimes, all the planning in the world cannot overcome simple human error or perhaps fate, as it were.  I had carefully etched in where I would do my DVD’s while away from home for a few days, only to find when I arrived at my destination – I had forgotten my classes.

I managed to improvise day one by doing a yin yoga program I found on YouTube, but our schedule was so jammed packed the next two days that I decided to find flexibility (not the muscular kind) outside of my sometimes too rigorous “stick to- itiveness.”  I took the days off. 

Once I overcame the guilt of veering from the program, I forgave myself.  I realized The Ultimate Yogi is not intended to heighten my internal flaws – like perfectionism and not wanting to disappoint anyone.  In fact, it is for the opposite – to aid in becoming more “ultimate.”  And for me, that actually meant skipping a couple days to learn that it is ok to do that.

It’s funny, I was approaching this program as a physical transformation program.  I am feeling the aches, pains and soreness from the rigorous flows as well as the openness and length from the deep releases, but I am becoming very aware of the personal transformation that is taking place – in just a short wisp of time.

So, today I am picking up where I left off – at Day 18 with Yin Yoga and ten minutes of meditation.

What transformations are happening to you?

And ... by the way ... Smooches for Valentine's Day!

Day 17 February 10, 2012

There I was worrying about the repetitive nature of the program when today the purpose revealed itself.

On today’s agenda: HardCORE, Strength and 10 minutes of meditation.

Knowing that HardCORE is a killer right before Strength, I did it about an hour before the Strength class.  And because I knew I had some recovery time, I really went for it and got a thorough core workout.

When I hit the mat for Strength, the monikers of these classes really hit me.  The first two weeks I was really just going through the flows, breathing, experiencing … but, on this third roll – I really am feeling the title of the class.  Yes – yesterday really was a cardio workout and today – definitely pushed my limits of strength – even more than some of the body weight or sandbag workouts I do!

Finishing up a smoothie now and feeling a bit of anxiety about traveling this weekend and being able to do the prescribed classes … I’ll keep you posted on how I deal with a crammed schedule, plane flights, hotel rooms and The Ultimate Yogi!

Day 16 February 9, 2012

Finally got a restful night’s sleep, but then made the mistake of checking email before practice.  Ended up online for 90 minutes before hitting the mat.  So bad, so unhealthy.  I am going to consciously work to unplug when I do not have to be online, so please do not be alarmed if you do not get an immediate response to an email or text. Need to stick to: wake up, yoga ... then life.

Really went deep into the Cardio class today.  I was able to really meld breath and movement to get my heart rate up quite a bit.

The extended side angle/reverse warrior flow proved to be a doozy for my glutes once again! 

Starting to feel my yoga muscles hugging the bones more snuggly, resulting in a tightening up (in a good way – no relation to flexibility) of the physique.  Ahhhh, the vanity bonus of a power yoga practice.

Smoothie, errands, then work today.

Tip: I store my extra smoothie portions in spaghetti sauce jars!

Very Green Berry Smoothie

Makes 3 servings

Use Organic if possible

2 cups water

3 stalks celery

1 head romaine lettuce

2 huge handfuls raw spinach

1 bunch cilantro

1 frozen banana

1 cup frozen “antioxidant” berry mix (cherries, pomegranate, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry)

1 tbsp E3Live

3 tbsp Hemp Protein

Day 15 February 8, 2012

Wonderful adventure on our search for a vintage vanity yesterday.  We had traveled two hours each way from our home one day, and 45 minutes each way yesterday, only to readjust our plan and find the perfect piece right in our own town. 

Alas, sometimes you search so far and so hard for something only for it to turn up in your own backyard.  Maybe I shouldn’t be looking so intently.  I should be observing what is happening right here, right now.  Ahhhhh – that “stay present” message once again in my life …

Had a very strong Crosstrain practice today.  (I did 15 minutes of a core focused DVD instead of HardCORE and will meditate tonight.)

Became very aware that the injury I sustained in upavishta konasana three years ago is not perfectly healed, but has certainly allowed for more openness in my left hip.

Makes me wonder … every Ashtanga teacher I have ever had has maintained that injury is merely clearning way for a opening.  I have to admit; every injury I’ve ever sustained has eventually healed and allowed for more flexibility and/or strength in the area injured.

Going to take Sookie for a short hike, then smoothie and work.

What have YOU been searching for that may be resting before your eyes?

Day 14 February 6, 2012

Woke up before that darn alarm again today! 

Mountain pose, pranayama and meditation on the schedule.

Perfect practice for a full moon!

Traditionally, Ashtanga takes full and new moon days off … so having this pranayama meditation practice sits very well with me today, because man alive – that full moon energy is ROCKIN!

Anticipating an energetic shift … some change coming …

The Mountain Pose class whizzed by and I was perfectly “blissed” afterwards.

I had some difficulty during pranayama today that I have not experienced up to this point.  I couldn’t catch long, full breaths on alternate nostril breathing; on the “holds” I felt like I was suffocating.  I hope this is not a metaphor for something else in my life. 

I literally could not stay the holds, I had to take extra breaths to get air in.

My chest felt tight and almost painful.

I felt great relief once the meditation started and chose to do it lying down, covered with a blanket.  I was able to release, relax and let go and finished refreshed.

Fun day ahead after work today …  picking up a beautiful vintage vanity to organize the “clutter” of beauty products in my life.  (It’s part of my job – don’t judge!)  I’ve wanted a vanity my entire life …  will post pics tomorrow.

Meantime – here’s the salad I’ll be munching on the next few days:

"Eat me, I’m Beautiful Salad"

Makes a lot

Use organic everything if possible

Salad:

1 head Romaine lettuce

3 cups baby mixed greens

4 stalks celery chopped

1 cup baby heirloom tomatoes

1 cup chopped mini peppers

1 cucumber chopped

½ cup pomegranate seeds

Mix all washed, chopped in a bowl

Dressing:

Adapted from Cooking Light (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/romaine-salad-with-tangy-lemon-dijon-dressing-10000000223528/)

·       1/4 cup water

·       3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 

·       2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice 

·       2 teaspoons olive oil 

·       1/4 teaspoon salt 

·       1/4 teaspoon pepper 

·       2 garlic cloves, minced 

Place all ingredients in blender and blend.  Drizzle over salad.  Also great for dipping artichokes!

Day 13 February 6, 2012

Wonderful night of sleep after another 15-minute meditation from the “AM & PM Yoga Meditations” by Gael Chiarella, CD.  Did track 4 on CD 2, “The Lullaby of Breath.”

Woke up naturally at 4:11am – before my alarm was set for 4:30am.  The extra minutes allowed me a bit more leisurely cup of coffee before the Vitality class this morning.

Turned the heat up a tad in the house to make up for the early morning chill and had a really nice practice.

I am so much more relaxed and focused practicing at the early hour, knowing that I have time, am not rushed and am setting myself up for a more full day.  I really found depth in the back bends today, more in my upper back and chest than I usually do.

But, the deepest opening came during the reclining twists at the very end of class.  With each inhale my muscles naturally elongated and with my exhales I sunk deeper into these twists than I have in years.  I could just feel myself falling deeper and deeper into the twist.

Then, during savasana, my husbands alarm went off on cell phone (it should have been in the bedroom with him, but alas – it seems it was left in the kitchen.)  I tried to maintain and release into corpse pose, but I was too distracted by the vibrating, pulsating scream of the cell phone.

Oh well, note to self – do a cell phone check before practice – just like at a shala.

Made a delish smoothie for this morning, here’s the recipe:

Mango Cilantro Very Green Smoothie

Makes two servings

Use organic when possible.

2 cups water

1 cup frozen mango

1 frozen banana

1 bunch cilantro

1 head romaine lettuce

3 stalks celery

½ lime – squeezed for juice

½ Meyer Lemon – squeezed for juice

1 tbsp E3 Live algae

3 tbsp Hemp Protein

Place water, lemon juice, lime juice, algae, hemp protein and frozen fruit in Vitamix and blend.  Add romaine, cilantro and celery and blend.

Enjoy!

Day 12 February 5, 2012

Slept amazing last night after a wonderful 15 minute guided meditation.  I used “AM & PM Yoga Meditations” by Gael Chiarella,  CD Two, Meditation 3: Restful and Rejuvenating Sleep.  And did I ever …

Woke up recharged and ready to do Detox and HardCORE (saving my mediation for evening.)

A word on scheduling … husband keeps mentioning to me how LONG these DVD’s take … and yes, this program definitely takes some time and dedication – realistically, two hours per day.

I have resolved to wake up early during the week to get the program and in and not feel rushed or like it is taking over my day in a negative way, but I am realizing that I am going to have to do the same thing on weekends.

During both practices – Saturday and today – I felt like I was taking a huge chunk of my “free days” for this program.  And although Travis mentions in the Detox video that it is imperative to take time for yourself – to be “selfish in order to be selfless,” I think that I will have to sacrifice some sleep in time so that I still get my full days.

I did 15 minutes of another core focused DVD instead of HardCORE – just don’t want to wear that one out … I know myself – I will get bored … and it makes the HardCORE workout more of  a challenge for me doing it once a week.

Then, Detox class.  Love this one.  That triangle/twisting triangle/twisted half moon/standing splits/seated twist series is SWEET.  Realizing that I have very different hips than I had a year and a half ago … so tight, so filled with the grief of losing my brother.  The discomfort I feel physically is an accurate metaphor for what has accumulated in that area of my body … the storehouse for so much human emotion.  But, as Travis says … this program will “chisel away” everything that is not “ultimate.”

Made an awesome pot of veggie soup over the weekend.  Here is the recipe:

Veggie Soup

2           2-tbsp coconut oil

 1- onion chopped1-    bunch green onions chopped

 1 – pound organic baby carrots

2-    bunches organic celery hearts

1-    pound chopped organic kale

12 – cups vegetable stock

 2 – jalapenos chopped

 Sea salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Sauté onion and green onion in coconut oil until almost clear.  Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil.  Add carrots and celery, season to taste.  Reduce to simmer and cover for 30 minutes.  Add Kale and jalapeno.  Turn of heat, cover and let stand for one hour.  Bring to a simmer before serving.  Enjoy!

Day 11 February 4, 2012

Woke up again during the night last night.  

This time, went to bed much later than usual … planning to have a Saturday morning sleep in.   Woke up at 4:40am without the alarm and was basically awake until 6:30am.  But, heck – it’s Saturday, so I took advantage and slept in until 8:30a.

Husband and I took Sookie on a 90 minute hike … amazing … but, mostly uphill.  Picture is of Chuck and Sookie today about half way through.

Did Yin afterwards and was soooooo tight.  The seated forward folds were uncommonly uncomfortable for me.  I could not relax or breath without fidgeting.

Very distracted by the physical discomfort even when I really backed off, but made it through.

Nothing else profound to report today other than these classes are obviously really working my hips and glutes.

Until tomorrow … 

Day 10 February 3, 2012

Woke up several times last night, once for an hour … which I unfortunately used as an excuse to hit the snooze button at 4:40am until 6:30am. 

Needless to say practice got bumped and I still wanted to do “Strength” on an empty stomach so I didn’t eat anything for the four hours before I hit the mat.

I did 15 minutes of another core focused DVD first instead of “HardCORE” and then popped in strength.

I was absolutely wasted by the time we hit the first five yogi push ups.  My legs shook during the rotated crescent poses.  My shoulders begged for mercy in the forearm planks.

I dropped to my knees at several points and wished the class was over, but I persisted and got through it.

I’m finding the rotation of Crosstrain, Cardio and then strength is pretty intense.  Looking mucho forward to Yin tomorrow.

Will be meditating later this evening.

Meantime … hitting the kitchen for some chow – which I of course, was deliberating during savasana.  I’m thinking a veggie wrap made up of leftover salad, avocado, leftover beans from our family taco night, jalapenos and salsa.  The spice should recharge me.

Really working on letting go of any disappointment if I can’t physically get through a class.  A year and a half ago my ego would not have allowed me to rest during a challenging flow, but now I listen to my body and relent when necessary.

It’s funny – strength is not just built during the “strength” movements in exercise or yoga.  It is gained during recovery – which is why we must let our bodies have “rest days.”

Will be taking it easy and resting to build that strength back up the next few days.

(Attached is a photo of me in a "strength" pose just for kicks.)

Day 9 February 2, 2012

Super sore from yesterday’s Crosstrain class, but knew I’d work that lactic acid out with this class.  Have been sleeping like a rock.  I credit the evening meditation, good aches and being physically wasted from the new early wakeup time for this.

Cardio class today ...

Turned up my space heater and really got into the flow.

Focused on being present, alignment and working my “edge.”

That extended side angle to reverse warrior flow really rocks my glutes.  Yoga booty here I come.

Hamstrings have been tight, regardless of how much warming up I do or the temp of the room.  Right knee is also smarting quite a bit.  Really injured in August when I jumped back into my Ashtanga practice too quickly from that year break, I quit after two weeks because I felt I was aggravating the injury and wasn’t being mature enough to modify.

It will be challenging for me to modify the poses in this DVD series if necessary.  Lotus is what really gets me … I will have to settle with a half lotus on the left side for now.

I can really feel the effects of this program already.

Some people may smirk at some of the verbage Travis uses or the anecdotes he tells – thinking they are too “New Agey” or “Yoga-y,” but the truth is what he says is full of positive intention and it can’t help but affect you in a positive way.

I felt some old emotional baggage; some negative thoughts and feelings just burn away during today’s practice.  After I rose from savasana all that was left was ash.  A last exhale and 15-minute meditation cleared that away so that nothing remained, but a clear mind and delightful mood.

(image from: www.123rf.com/stock-photo/fire.html)

Day 8 February 1, 2012

Major good effects from yesterday’s practice.  I felt much less anxious and nervous in a social situation last night than I usually do.  Carrying the lesson to not judge or be so personally, deeply affected by all the “little things.”

Convinced the hubby to practice with me today with much success.

I find I am so much more focused and have much less inner dialog when practicing with him.

The second week of HardCore allowed me to go deeper and engage more fully.

My second go at Crosstrain was similar in that I could access the poses more deeply because of a bit of familiarity with the flow. 

Will meditate this evening.

Power Fiber Bowl

Makes 1-2  servings

¼ cup organic old fashioned oats

¼ cup organic oat bran

1 ¼ cup water

1 packet stevia

cinnamon to taste

3 tbsp Nutiva Hemp Protein

2 tbsp organic golden flax seed

1 pear – chopped

2 dates – chopped

Cook oats, oat bran and water on stovetop or in microwave.

Stir in stevia, cinnamon, Nutiva, flax, pear and dates

Enjoy!