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.)