Understood

As I carefully made my way to work, I saw this woman in full stride. Cap, shorts, leggings.

There's part of me that wanted to roll down the window and yell encouragement. I love it when people get their workouts in despite the weather but there's also the part of me that thought I would never run in the snow because I would fear slipping and putting myself out of commission.

When I first started to swim, I went across town to find out that the pool heater was broken. Cold water plus a lifeguard? I got in the water. I sometimes remember that incident when I complain about the cold water at the pool that I currently go to.

I've also driven for a total of one hour to take a 90 minute hot yoga class and I've driven like a bat out of hell (through the city and back on the highway) after encountering a traffic jam to make it to a regular yoga class.

Fifteen minutes to make it to class and I'm twelve minutes away? I can do it. Never mind that I have to park, check in and whatnot. I can do it. Totally understand the runners that I saw today.

After The Mountain Climbers

Went to the pool last night. Chatty Kathleen, well, chatted me up as soon as I descended the stairs. She is totally fascinated by Moms Mabley. Apparently, there's a documentary about Mabley on HBO right now.

Felt good in the water until diving mom perched at my lane. I felt self-conscious and thought about the episode of Malcolm in the Middle when Lois thinks she can dance.

My post-swimming trick of rolling down the windows didn't work. Congestion hit before I hit the bed. I heated up a cup of water and inhaled the steam which gave me relief but I had a sleepless night as I struggled with congestion...

Up tonight, kettlebell.

Glanced at the whiteboard and didn't even cringe when I saw burpees. Whatever. I know that it's a good exercise for the body and I know that I'm going to modify.

The workout on the whiteboard:

50 Two-hand Swings (16 kb*)

25 Burpees

50 Swings

50 Push-ups

50 Swings

Mountain Climbers, 50/50

50 Swings

I want a brownie point for getting back up to do that last set of 50 after the mountain climbers. I was the last one to finish but the others kindly waited even though I waved them off. We moved on to stations -- pyramid-style.

Squats, 10...9...8...7...6...5

Push-Ups, 10...9...8...7...6...5

Jump Squats...

Alternating V Sit-ups

Pull-Ups (Bar or TRX)

Next up:

Goblet squat, 10
Kb Press, 10/10
Goblet Reverse Lunge, 10
Jump Squats, 10

We finished up with a one minute forearm plank then a 30 second straight arm plank. Before the planks, I assumed reverse corpse pose. Next time, I'll reverse the order.


*I don't normally swing with a 16 kb but Marisa assigned us heavier kettlebells for tonight's action.

Yoga After Thanksgiving

A four day weekend -- that's how it should be all the time. Of course, it's all fun and games until you get back to work and the phone starts ringing from the time you arrive until you leave.

Got home and headed straight for the kitchen. Wish that I had figured out what to cook on Sunday.

Worked out while the quiche was in the oven. Ate. Washed the dishes.  Got science experiments out of the refrigerator. Headed to yoga.

As I pulled up to the fitness club, could see that the cardio class had already let out and many mats were already in place.

I held open the door for another yogini and she said Either they're early or we're late. There were still two prime pieces of real estate but people kept coming through the door. I have never seen Donna's class so full.

I told the woman next to me that maybe people needed yoga after Thanksgiving. I think they're going to need to do more than yoga. I told her that maybe people needed to calm their minds after Thanksgiving.

It was hard not to become a spectator with so many people in class. During savasana, though, I zoned out and was disappointed when Donna rang the harmony bell. Kind of funny, hunh?

Earlier in the day, this Syrian woman told me that her sister had made it to the States. I asked her how she liked St. Louis. Anywhere is better than Syria, she said then told me how happy her sister was on a recent trip to the grocery store.

Coasting? or Month-End Review, November

I've been thinking about yoga goals lately. The few that I have are "modest." I want to make sure that I have a solid understanding of basic poses and, beyond asanas, I want restoration. Who doesn't want the latter?

As I sat in easy pose while Gloria led the class into crow and side crow, Bobby Brown's My Prerogative popped into my head. After class, Linda (an avid bicyclist et al.) told Gloria that she was thankful for her. Don't know if I was more tuned in this year but I heard a lot of people expressing gratitude...

Had a car dream the other day. The front window became totally fogged up and the engine didn't work but I was able to coast through the streets without crashing into anyone or anything. I was relieved when I woke up.

I feel good about November because the body and mind felt strong. Ellen Barrett says that movement is a treat and here's how I treated myself this month:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix
*Cardio Kickboxing, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: HIIT
*Rock Bottom HIIT, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: KnockOut Body!
*Knockout Body Blast, 8 x's

Love again...

10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results fat burner
*Power Sports Drills

Bicycling, 1 x

Ellen Barrett Live: Sleek Sculpt Express, 6 x's

Give Me 10!
*Fat Blasting Cardio, 4 x's

Just Walk
*Mile 1: Classic Low Impact, 10 x's
*Mile 2: Walk & Tone, 3 x's
*Mile 5: Ab Walk, 1 x

Just Walk: Walk to the Hits*, 1 x

Kettlebell, 4 x's

Latin Cardio Party
*Samba, 1 x

Stretch Max (with stability ball), 2 x's

Swimming, 3 x's

Treadmill, 1 x

Walking, 6 x's

Yoga, 13 x's

Also raked the leaves today. If I ever go on a retreat in the fall, I want to be assigned to leaf raking. What would you want to do?

**Disclosure: I received this video without charge.

Something I Would Never Ask Marisa

Went looking for pants and brown shoes and, of course, I ended up in the active wear section.

When I saw this Nike shirt, I knew that it was a question that I would never pose to Marisa.

Went to select a kettlebell but Marisa said that there was no need. She had everything ready for our pyramid workout.

Pull-Up (On Bar or TRX), 10 x's
Heavy Swing, 10 x's
Alternating V Sit-up with 8 lb Medicine Ball, 10 (each leg)
Squat Jump, 10
Bulgarian Bag Swings, 10 (each direction)
Snatch, 10 (per arm)
Squat, 10
Push-up, 10
Plank (knee to elbow), 10

***

Pull-Up (On Bar or TRX), 9 x's
Heavy Swing, 9 x's
Alternating V Sit-up with 8 lb Medicine Ball, 9 (each leg)
Squat Jump, 9
Bulgarian Bag Swings, 9 (each direction)
Snatch, 9 (per arm)
Squat, 9
Push-up, 9
Plank (knee to elbow), 9

Well, you get the picture. We made it to the four rep point precisely when class was slated to end.

During the workout, I put my mat down for the push-up station and Julia asked me if it was okay if she used my mat. I told her yes and she said I'm thankful for Andrea.

Later on Julia told me that she was going to need a sip of water at some point. It was a workout that I felt invigorated by so I kind of bulldozed through it. I think that when I'm faced when this kind of workout, there is part of me that doesn't want to stop because I don't know if I'll be able to resume the workout.

I kept glancing at Marisa's whiteboard but didn't really study it so Julia caught me off guard when I heard something that sounded like ass to grass (squats). Marisa thought I might be offended but Julia straightened her out -- She's not offended. Julia was on a roll tonight.

After kettlebell, I soaked for a bit and caught up on magazines that have been accumulating in a wicker basket. I read a short article (Health, October 2013) called Sports Bras Don't Have to Hurt. What caught my attention is LaJean Lawson's credential. She's a leading expert on breast motion. Didn't know there was such a field.

I Have Yoga Guilt or Stuff People Say To Me

When I look at you, I have yoga guilt. 

Rosie

You are muscular. 

Aunt's friend

Whenever I hear the word yoga, I feel guilty.

Sarah

You are strong. 

Jeanne to me after I effortlessly picked up her massage table and placed it on a carrier.

Maybe I'll look like the folks on your Yoga Journal calendar in 10 years... 

One of my colleagues on trying to work out the plantar fasciitis kinks...

Me: I can't believe that I organized a yoga party.

Hazira: You can't believe it?

Me: You have Zumba and yoga at your clubhouse? What's preventing you from taking the classes?

Patti: Inertia.

That was quick.

 The lifeguard to me after I exited the pool at lap 15.

Can someone tell me why this woman has this book?

A question that Hazira posed, more to the universe than to me, when she spotted the book below.

Oh my God, you still look the same.

Dale, Irma J. & Rhonda

You're strong. 

Elle as she gave me tips during triangle pose...

I Want What Ellen Wants

Thing one...not talking about the root chakra -- associated with survival and security or maybe I am.  I lost one pound and it's ridiculous how satisfied I feel.

First, the scale moved and not in the direction that I wanted and the needle stayed in the same place -- apparently stuck.

I've tweaked the diet a bit and I've tried to make more of a commitment to discomfort i.e. high intensity interval training.

I feel better. I think my clothes fit better. We'll see.

I've been into Sleek Sculpt Express lately. It's a 30 minute workout but I usually tack on bonus exercise as well. In my world, I feel more comfortable when I can get in at least 60 minutes of exercise.

Almost each time that I exercise with Ellen Barrett, her words capture my attention:

I think of movement as a treat.

If you need to sit on the floor, you can do it...If you need to carry a heavy bag, you can do it...If you need to sprint through the airport, you can do it.

I want to be highly functional. In essence, I want my comfort zone to be large.

 I want you to feel invigorated not irritated.

I want what Ellen wants. Her comfort talk reminds me of a season two episode of Louie. Louis CK's character says that he only has the stamina for a life of comfort.

Went to a fundamental yoga class this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt so content afterward; thanks Elle for guiding...