To run, or not to run?

A couple months ago, my husband and I promised each other that we would run in the Pittsburgh Spirit, a half marathon, in November. For a month or so, I trained, I ran and walked and ran some more. But I began noticing how tight my body was getting, and honestly I never liked running in the first place. Then, I started doing yoga every day. My body couldn't feel better, and without the running I'm much more open and less stiff. So I haven't found the motivation to run again. I even have my goals for the summer hung up at work; one says "train for a half marathon." Do I give up my mini dream of being a runner? Is my body telling me to stop or am I merely being lazy? To run, or not to run? That is the question.

Car yoga?

My life is crazy busy, and this past week was no exception. I found myself practicing yoga at home, by my in-laws pool, and in the car! Yes, in the car. This past Friday flew past so fast that I almost forgot to do yoga. My husband and I were headed to Ohio to visit family, and I decided if we got there in time I would just have to practice at their house. However, construction and traffic made us hours later than we had planned. So I pushed the back down on my seat, and did some seated yoga exercises. I actually worked up a sweat in my little 40 minute practice. I did some breathing exercises, core work, stretches and even bridge! Now, I doubt that this was the safest thing to do, but we were moving at 15 miles an hours, and I had to do yoga! So kids don't try this in your car, but know it was possible.

Anywhere, Anytime

I've been terribly busy lately. Rushing from my nannying gig to teaching yoga to all kinds of family and social things has kept my head and schedule spinning. This past weekend my husband and I planned on spending the Saturday at the lake. However, we did not plan to sleep in till 11. By the time we had gotten ready, all local yoga classes were long over. I told myself that I could practice by the lake, what a better serene place to connect with the universe. When I got there the beach was crowded with icecream-lickers, beach ball bouncers, soggy diapered kids! I tried doing a few inversions and a bikini clad down dog, needless to say I was awash with embarrassment. Lake yoga= fail.
That night we went to visit a good friend at his apartment. He has this open dining area without a table (typical bachelor). He practiced Tai Chi in that space, and I have to admit ever since my first visit to his apartment I have wanted to do yoga there. It is the perfect space, even if it is in someone else's abode. My husband and friend sat around watching Kung Fu videos and drinking beers while I watched the minutes tick by. It was getting closer and closer to midnight and I still hadn't done yoga! Was I going to have to start this year of yoga all over AGAIN?! I suddenly remembered that I had my mat in my car, and it came to me. Cue the light bulb!
I practiced in his little Tai Chi/ dining space, and it was great. I was amazed at how easily the breath took me out of the beer and Kung Fu atmosphere and into my own bodily experience. I was pulled away a couple times by raucous laughter, but all in all it was a great practice! And the night was a complete success because I finally convinced my friend to let me start teaching him yoga!
So far so good! I have not missed a day, and still love how the mere writing of this blog has forced me to make yoga a priority. I have never felt happier, calmer or healthier!

My savasana secret

Practicing every day has changed when I have time to eat, and my overall eating schedule. The times I would normally be snacking I don't so my stomach won't be full during practice. However, I've notice a new distraction filling my mind durig savasana- my hunger! I'll lay there during those 3-5 minutes of meditiative relaxation day dreaming about what I'm going to eat next! Instead of letting every muscle in my body relax or listening to my breath, I'm listing ingrediants and craving cookies!

Yoga and Relaxation

On Friday subtle soreness filled most muscles in my body. So, instead of going to my usual 90 minute power yoga class, I took a restorative yoga workshop. In those 2 hours I realized that I have a very hard time letting myself relax. While my body softened and surrendered to gravity, my mind raced on, circling through lists of lists and chores and other things so obscure and pointless that I thought I must be going crazy. Someone once said that if we could listen to a record of all the thoughts that go through our brain everyday it would sound like the crazy rants of a lunatic. I thought that my mind was calm during my yoga practice, but I realized that I need a more physically demanding practice to quiet my mind. So I'm wondering what to do with this knowledge. Do I meditate more to quiet my mind, or do I push myself through physically demanding practices to shut up my inner monologue?

One week in

So far so good. I'm loving yoga everyday. I've never felt healthier or happier.
This past weekend was Independence Day, and normally on a family and friends packed holiday I would have skipped my practice. But, because I'm doing this project I woke up early and set did my own practice for 45 minutes while my hubby slumbered the morning away. I don't know if it was the yoga that morning, but I felt great the rest of the day, and was less inclined do drink or eat things that I knew were bad for my body.
I have already learned a lot about managing my energy. I've allowed myself to have two shorter practices this past week, because I also take Kung Fu and knew I would need to energy for that practice as well as a whole years worth of yoga. It's been amazing allowing myself to back off a bit during my practice. I've actually come to like child's pose.
Speaking of taking child's pose, on Wednesday I worked for over 10 hours and ran to home to change for yoga. I was starving, but didn't have time for a real meal. So I ate a chocolate bar and went to class! 30 minutes into class and I knew I had done something stupid. My stomach flip flopped and my head swam. What a mistake! But I learned a lot about backing off and taking care of your body, and I made it through class. Note to hungry yogis- Chocolate and hot yoga don't mix!
So as of right now, I'm loving my daily yoga practice!