30 Days Hath September or Month-End Review

My replacement Fitbit met an untimely demise and I felt like such a prima donna replacing it but I did. Decided to go with a Garmin Vivofit 2. The Fitbit and Vivofit are similarly matched. I like that you can recharge the Fitbit but I was really drawn to the waterproofness of the Vivofit.

Hit the pool for the first time with the new tracker and was a little disappointed that it hardly registered movement. Of course, the youngin' who hopped in my lane and swam circles around me would probably attribute the lack of detection to my speed.

When I first put the Vivofit on, thought that it was broken since it doesn't register movement as fast as the Fitbit but what I really like about the GV2 is the red bar of shame that appears if you don't move for a while. You also get beeped at. Actually, it's more like a pleasant chirp. It's not loud but the message is clear and, note to self: take the Vivo off when practicing yoga.

I am pleased with my activity this month. Sure, I could be bummed that I didn't get in more yoga for National Yoga Month but when I did practice yoga, it was spectacular.

Walked to work today and listened to Finding God In All The Wrong People, a sweet Fresh Air podcast. Hope that you were pleased with September too...

From Today's Walk

Bicycling, 4 x's

Climbing, 4 x's

Dance It Off & firm up!
*Rock It!, 2 x's

Dreadmill, 1 x

Ellen Barrett Live: fusion floor workout, 1 x

Just Walk: mix + match walk blasters
*Short + Sweaty, 1 x

Just Walk: The Tone Every Zone Walk
*Circuit 1, Upper Body, 1 x

KnockOut Body
*Knockout Body Blast, 2 x's

Mowing of the Lawn, 2 x's

Swimming, 5 x's

Walking, 15 x's

Red Line of Shame

Yoga, 6 x's

Photo Credit: Official Yoga Buzz Photographer, Union Station

Zumba, 3 x's

Yoga Groove

Tara

National Yoga Month has almost gone by without a mention from me and maybe it's because I've kind of lost my yoga groove. I'm down to about one class a week but...

When I read Stacy Hunsicker's letter in the spring 2015 issue of Yoga & Spa magazine, I totally related:

Once yoga calmed my mental drama, more of life opened to me...

Had the same sense of recognition when I read a letter by the publisher of Spirituality & Health magazine:

Each enlightening moment is another brick laid toward out ultimate goal: to become the best versions of ourselves -- spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Went to a two hour workshop last night presented by Dr. Manoj Chalam.

When I think about the PH.D part, I think about how he said that he was a PH.D. who is now schlepping around statues of deities. I also remember this childhood song that we used to sing while jumping rope that involved some young lady who had gone to school "...and when she came back she was an educated fool." My mind does like to go in all kinds of directions. Whose mind doesn't?

Chalam started off the workshop with a meditation and went on to say It's good to center yourself and hit the reset switch and you do that by focusing on the breath. And the meditation portion of the program reminds me of why I like yoga so much.

When your mind is calm, you're in the zone...you go within. Un huh, yeah yeah.

I also like what Chalam said about knowledge: The more you know, the more the unknown increases.

Ganesh or Ganesha is one of the most known Hindu deities. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles and, as Chalam said, Everyone should have a Ganesh.

I am also fascinated with Tara whose main characteristic is compassion...Fast forward to tonight.

I was in a mood before I hit yoga and it didn't get any better when this woman put her mat precisely in front of mine. I would have understood if the class had been full... Joy was in the mood to take "it" up a notch. During the plank portion of the program, she said "For those of you cursing me in your head right now."

Little did Joy know but "right now" had started much earlier for me. However, at the end of class, I was less moody and the intensity that I had in my neck and shoulder (left side) had diminished significantly. I also heard what Joy said about Shiva (dancing) and fire and how sometimes things have to get burned to the ground to be rebuilt.

Plenty of Real Estate

Month-End Review or Stuff My Yoga Teachers Say (Recap for National Yoga Month)

I'm not doing my usual month-end review but, for the record, I did exercise almost every day in September -- except for three Fridays because every 'Drea needs some rest.

It's the last day of National Yoga Month. I already miss outdoor yoga. Even though it can be an itchy affair, I'm going to miss the view of the grass during downward facing dog and I'm going to miss looking at the birds and sky during savasana et al.

I did make it to an outdoor yoga session on Sunday at a crystal festival. I told Alison, who accompanied me, that I would not have been at a crystal festival just a few years ago.

Saw the Buddhas (to the left) or, as Alison said, Buddhaville at the festival. At any rate, I want to pay homage to National Yoga Month. Initially, I wanted to do a savasana edition of Stuff My Yoga Teachers Say but more elements of the practice made it into this recap:


Dismiss your body from any responsibilities. Dismiss your mind from worry. Relax... Alison

Be still. Be at peace. Do nothing... Gloria

Imagine your face totally expressionless...Alison

The only thing moving is your breath...Rebecca

I'm going to slowly walk through relaxing. Kim W. (at the beginning of savasana)

If you're at your edge, you will suffer. Sheila before we entered a 10 breath count.

This is your relaxation pose. Sarah about Savasana

This is 100% your practice. Rebecca

If you're not using the breath, you're limiting the experience. Sheila

If you except the light, that means that you also except the shadow parts like "crabby me." Sheila

Notice what you notice. Elle (almost at the end of practice)

Time Well Spent or Month-End Review, September

Birthday yoga. Yoga at the Confluence under the Arch. Hot yoga. It was a month to remember. Plus, mission accomplished. I wanted to roll out my mat much more than I did last month. I chalked up fifteen hours of yoga and it was definitely time well spent. Really enjoyed swimming as well.

Hadn't been to hot yoga in over a year and as soon as I sat down on my mat, I knew that I didn't need hot yoga anymore. All of that heat made savasana super sweet. Also dug the aromatherapy "wand" that the teacher waved at the beginning of savasana. The breeze from the wand was pretty nice too... Hope you found plenty to enjoy during your September endeavors.

10 Minute Solution: High Intensity Interval Training

Ab HITT, 1 x

HITT 101, 1 x

HITT Explosion, 2 x's

Rock Bottom HITT, 1 x

Upper Body HITT, 1 x

Bicycling, 3 x's

Climbing, 3 x's

Just Walk

Mile 1: Classic Low Impact, 4 x's

Mile 2: Walk & Tone, 1 x

Mile 3: Speed Intervals, 1 x

Mile 4: Strength Intervals, 1 x

Mile 5: Ab Walk,  1 x

Kettlebell, 3 x's


Personal Training with Jackie

Upper Body Circuit, 1 x

Stretch Max (No Equipment), 1 x

Swimming, 10 x's

Walking, 8 x's

Yoga, 15 x's

What Yoga Gave Me

Visual reminder to breathe and keep my cool.

It's officially my birthday and National Yoga Month as well.

For the most part, I've been an even-tempered person and did everything in my power to stay in that zone because when I got angry, it was ugly.

I'm surprised that I did not break a hand or a toe as I had a penchant for pounding and kicking things. Onetime, I went to walk off my anger and saw my hand punching through a tree. Good thing that I didn't try it because, you know, trees don't give.

Once I got to the anger zone, it would take me forever to disengage and I could hold a grudge like nobody's business. I was a bit of an extremist.

And yoga?

Yoga gave me the middle. The vast space in between. It enabled me to let things roll off my shoulders and to not take things personally.

A woman once told me that I had an expansive spirit but I wish that she could see me now...

When I started this blog, my goal was to become leaner and I still have that goal but I have a more important goal -- I want to be kept on my kind-hearted toes.

It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Mad props to the yoga teachers whose classrooms I have stepped into.

AnnaBridgetCindyDonnaGloriaJaimeJenJeremyKateKellyMadonnaRhonnaRoseSharonVal

Soft Eyes And The Spot Taker

Spotted Alison and Gloria on the parking lot as I reached back to grab my yoga mat. Alison was so happy with her coffee and imminent asanas that she forgot hers.

I looked over my shoulder and saw someone unrolling their mat in Gloria's spot. Thought it was a student that Gloria was letting guide the class and I allowed myself a brief moment of disappointment before telling myself that it was okay but Alison just thought that the spot taker didn't know how the class was set up and that turned out to be the case.

As I grabbed the top of my newly laundered shirt to wipe sweat off my face, Gloria said Do you all feel the heat? I feel like you guys are mad at me.

No, not mad. Just trying to keep up.

It's National Yoga Month and I'm glad that I was able to practice today. Didn't spend as much time as I would have liked on the mat last month but I plan to make up for lost time.

It's also my birthday month. Got an email from Pure Barre La Jolla. If I take a class, my birthday gift is another class or free pair of socks.

Also got an email from The Pilates Room: We wish you to pamper yourself with a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Wish that I had planned to be in Cali for my birthday.

I've been watching Orange Is The New Black like so many others. The soft eyes scene amused me...

Get There or Stuff Yoga Teachers Say; Month-End Review, September

I usually do a month-end review and note the activities that I’ve engaged in but since I’m in throes of a yoga love affair and September is National Yoga Month, I’ll do something different.  I did, for the record, practice yoga for 16.5 hours. So, for National Yoga Month, here are things that came out of my yoga teachers’ mouths and resonated with me for one reason or another.

A Lot of Yoga Teachers


Maybe your neighbor can hear you breathing or even I can hear you breathing up here.


Donna


Imagine that I'm going to put a container on your mat. Put all of your worries, fears and stresses in there. I'm going to come by and put a heavy lid on your container then I'm going to take the container out to the parking lot…


Your breath is your energy and your power.


Gloria


Stretch your arms and legs out. Make an X with your body and lift up. It’s like a magic carpet ride.


Try to get your hips to settle down (in swan pose).


You’re not struggling. It’s like Goldilocks. Not trying to hard or too little but just right…

Notice the texture of your breathing.

And if your head comes down, let it (during resting swan pose).

You should feel all the joints in your hands – especially the pinky and thumb (during downward facing dog).

Hug 'em (knees) in…

Don’t live in the future. Keep your head over your hips…

Use the strength of your arm…

Look through the hands; get there (top of the mat)...

Love your body. Love yourself. You are lovable…

Birthday Gift

Rebecca

This is a group class so let’s create energy…

Check in with your face...

Traditionally, the palms are open during savasana to get flashes of intuition.

We put our two thumbs on the third eye and say Namaste.


Madonna

Balance -- use it or lose it.

Just Getting Started or Month-End Review, September

To borrow a turn of phrase from my yoga teacher, goodbye to National Yoga Month but not to yoga. In fact, I think that I'm just getting started with yoga. I have, however, almost said goodbye to bicycling. Gotta remedy that...


10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Arms and Shoulders, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Sleek and Sexy Abs, 1 x

Bicycling, 1 x



BodyGo Row Class @ CrossFit, 2 x's



Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

15-Minute Upper Body Circuit, 3 x's

Rock Climbing, 6 x's

Climb So Ill, a new gym coming to town, Open House

The Open House Sky


Arch from Open House

Swimming, 8 x's


Treadmill, 1 x


Walking, 12 x's


Yoga, 5 x's

Legs As Far Apart As Possible...Rest Head on Hands...If Possible...Always Makes Me Quiver



What was your go-to activity or what made you quiver this month???

The Lone Yoga Mat

Got home, ate a few pieces of apple while reading The Sleeping Doll and waited for 5:45 to roll around before I headed out to try this yoga class. Because of National Yoga Month, I got a pass to attend a class nearby.

As I headed to the studio, this stunned guy asked They have yoga around here?

Yes, I tell him, just a couple of doors down. He inquires about price etc. and I walk a few feet to see that the blinds are closed and the lights are off even though I'm staring face-to-face with a flyer that says All-Levels Yoga (Monday at 6). There's a lone yoga mat and block on the floor. Maybe there's a secret side entrance. I check but there's just an alley. In the meantime, I stand in the doorway with a yoga mat across my back.

I decided not to wait around. When I get home, I go to the studios' website to get the owner's email address and, just as I'm about to hit send, I see that most of the yoga classes have been canceled until November but there was no cancellation notice earlier in the day.

I'm not having very good luck with this studio. I decided to go to Community Yoga which they hold a couple of Sundays a month and, when I attempted to go, the teacher got the times mixed up.

Maybe I should have told that guy that No, they don't do yoga around here.

It sucked to try and regroup and get reenergized for exercise when I could have taken care of that immediately after work.

So, yeah, there's a cooperative bakery and an eye-catching mural but no regular yoga classes around there.

The Mural

Sunday Morning Body Yawning

To celebrate my birthday and National Yoga Month, I decided to participate in Yoga Within the Confluence but outdoor yoga and rain don't mix.

My "treadmill/elliptical trainer" gym membership had been frozen up until three days ago so I looked around at the group classes and spotted a Sunday morning class that didn't have any adjectives like intermediate or power.

As I was checking in, I saw this woman heading toward the counter. I knew, without a doubt, that she was the yoga teacher. She had it written all over her.

I thought attendance might be low because of the rain but the class was so full that I almost left. I had to also tell myself that being near the door did not give me a reason to tip out. I remembered this FitSugar article that said: no one is paying attention to you -- everybody's concentrating on their own practice.

Did I mention that it's unnerving being in a new class with about fifty plus folks?

We warmed up with two-hand "drumming" which was kind of cool because the sound of applause was loud and choreographed as we drummed our legs. We moved on to rubbing our hands together then placed our warm hands over our eyes and stayed that way for several minutes which was very relaxing.

Planks and downward facing dog had sweat rolling down my face. I never knew that sun salutations were so much work.

At some point in the program, people were doing shoulder stands and back bends but I stayed at ease.

Before savasana, we reached our arms overhead and Gloria said that it was like a yawn for your body and it did feel that way. I guess there was enough room in the class for me seeing that I had space for a body yawn...

I thought about what I wanted for my birthday and I didn't have much on the list. Kind of nice not to have too many wants. I did buy these Nike about a week ago but not with my birthday in mind but more as a back-up pair of shoes.

How do you know when you need a new pair of shoes? When you start sliding across the floor in a cardio class or when your feet are sliding while you're on top of a stability ball trying to do strength training.

Love the tag on here:

When you need to cut. Explode. Jump. Plant. Move. Sprint. Push. Run. Train...

Yeah, Nike, I plan to continue doing all of that and because I've been doing "all of that," this birthday finds me feeling very good. It's been a rainy day but not dampened.

Thanks everyone for the presents and well-wishes.