Back on the Mat - Another Yoga Challenge

OoOoOoOoohhhhh - it feels so GOOD! 

Although I haven't been consistently practicing on a mat, I generally practice breath-work or move into a balance pose, energizing pose, or calming pose on a daily basis.

I have missed being on the mat.  When Yoga International appeared in my inbox with a 7-day Vinyasa Challenge, the stars seemed to be aligning in my favor: A challenge peaks my competitive spirit interest, 7 days is realistic/reasonable for me to commit, and someone else leading me through yoga is preferred.

Vinyasa 7-Day Challenge, DAY 1: Power Breakfast from Yoga International:  A dynamic 40-minute practice incorporating a vigorous series of lunges, planks, and warriors, as well as revolved poses, balancing poses, twists, and more. 

I also had a little blonde-haired 6-year-old join me for part of the practice :) Kids are the greatest thing.  Kids and puppies.  

It's going to be a great day!

@CoachBurow #7dayvinyasachallenge #yoga #balance #kidsandpuppies

Playing Catch-up: Yoga 30 for 30 Challenge, Days 6 & 7

Am I on the wrong day? No.  I did not participate in yoga day 6 on the scheduled day due to illness.  What did I experience in attempting to 'let go' of the expectations, self-criticism, not to mention battling feelings of physical parody, but guilt for not practicing yoga!  I brazenly chastised myself several fleeting moments, which was followed by thoughts of, 'Why are you mentally accosting yourself? Take the evening off (from what appeared to be inverted and balance poses) and get some rest."

I did.  But then today, as I stayed home from work to rest and recover, I intermittently thought about falling behind in this 30 day challenge.  I recognized how easy it would be to 'skip' another day and 'blame' it on illness recovery.  I then considered how difficult it may be to regain momentum - would I let the entire 30-day commitment wash away with my dissolve?

No.  After feeling physically healthier throughout the span of the day (several rests and naps, many cups of tea, and some soup and a smoothie later!), I decided I would make an attempt at yesterday's practice without any pressure to complete today (day 7) if I felt ill.  I'm so thankful I have the commitment to self and to this blog, as well as a minor splash of resolve, to complete something I've started, even with obstacles.  Right now, I am taking time between two practices to write a few words about my 'day 6' practice.

Wouldn't you know, Day 6: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Svadhishthana, brought balance poses, chakra 2 (emotional center!), rigidity and fluidity, and the topic of 'guilt'.  How fitting.  And may I say, I want to keep instructor Amy Pearce-Hayden for my daily practice? (Yes, that fits right along with the 7 day klesha practice and I recognize the attachment, thank you very much!) What I noticed:

• my right hip seems 'bound'
• again moving the hip (while in bridge position) to one side changes the physical feeling and energetic flow when moving into a twist (I want to remember this for my own practice and for when I work with clients)
• when supine in the first twist, my right side body seems 'shorter' and my right shoulder had more difficultly staying grounded
• I find myself wanting to come out of a twist early - then Amy (instructor) noted how she prefers not to stay in these twists and that we can liken the resistance or challenge to when [in life] we do not want to move through [something] and how we can imagine water (element associated with chakra 2) moving around the rocks (obstacles!) in a stream

*sigh* I was reminded/made aware of the difference in energy flow on the two sides of my body. . .and how I can take short amounts of time and use slow, mindful movements to recenter, ground, and stabilize.  I feel good both mentally and physically!  If I keep writing, I will not get to 'day 7', so excuse me a few moments...

Miss me? :-) Day 7: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Manipura was equal parts blissful and challenging.  As this 30 for 30 practice takes me/us through the chakras, I easily recognize connections between the physical symptoms I have been experiencing and the connection to the chakras. Manipura = gemmed center = navel center = my stomach has been acting up for over a month. Additionally, chakra two is "associated with the element 'fire' and with ego or sense of identity and, if energy here is deficient, with feelings of shame. (Day 6 = chakra 2 = emotional center, element of water, fluidity/rigidity, guilt). Yowsa to both chakras - that really hits home for me right now!  What I noticed during the practice:

• my right hip seems to have more difficulty or resistance with realignment
• hamstrings are tight
• my patience in the 3 poses was limited and I found myself moving out of poses early
• part of moving out of poses also seemed to be connected to a slight feeling of dizziness or shortness of breath, likely part of not feeling well. I was mindful not to berate myself for this and moved into and out of poses as it worked for me.)

Huge revelation to self: I want to practice yoga every day. Not only do I think it is beneficial for mind, body, and spirit - right now my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self(selves?) are craving this daily practice. What's more, I was honestly expecting a more intense practice in terms of a physical/hatha yoga flow (not that I am an expert in yoga practices); I have been very pleased with the slow and purposeful alignment and education that has accompanied the 30 for 30 challenge. Yay! Looking forward to more :)

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge

Binging, Orthorexia

Good afternoon!  Quite a heading for today's post, eh?  I have come across some really interesting reads lately (no big surprise) and wanted to share a few with 'my readers' over the next few days.

As I mentioned, I did not fit into the dress that I bought last May for my brother and sister-in-law's wedding.  Not a HUGE travesty - merely the zipper not able to completely zip (and slight lightheadedness on behalf of yours truly when attempting to *squeeze* into the girdle).  I called the dress store yesterday in hopes that I could swiftly drive over, toss the ill-fitting garment to the salesperson, deftly manuever through the racks and snag the larger size, and be on my way.  No such luck.  "Because the dress has been taken out of the store, we cannot accept a return."  For REAL?  It has been hanging in my closet in the plastic bag you gave it to me in!  No alterations, not even a deodorant stain!  Besides, I believe I was told by the woman who sold me the dress and shoes that as long as they were unworn and unaltered either one could be exchanged for a different size.  Well, apparently that is not the case.

SO.  NOW WHAT?

Eat healthy, keep moving.

Just the idea of a food log helps to hold me accountable for what I am eating.  I start logging the information and then get sick of logging in every time I consume something in fear that I will forget to calculate the calories.  Writing it all down in a journal works if I remember to bring the journal with me.  I know - excuses!  But, like I said, for me the mere thought of recording in a food log holds me more accountable than not keeping track of my food intake.  I know that using a food log/diary works extremely well in many situations and has, indeed, worked for me in both weight loss efforts and as an easy method of determining how much sugar/sodium/protein/whatever-other-nutrient I have consumed.  (Mostly, I need to decrease sugar intake!  Always the culprit in overconsumption.)

blah blah blah

So, I wanted to share a couple of interesting links to bring awareness to a couple of types of eating/thinking disorders that are very real!  One is binging (or, binge eating), often associated with bulemia nervosa disease.  I'm not going to write a whole novel on this topic (though I'm sure I'd be able!); rather, if you are interested, I've linked a couple of sites with more information:
What is Binge Eating?
The Emily Program <-- a good friend of mine works for this company!  Amazing place.
Daily Strength (online Support Group) 
I reference these because I know that I have some food addiction issues, though I don't *think* they are to the extent of needing intervention!  As well, I know my body image struggles are somewhat "body dysmorphic" but I'm not so sure that it is severe enough to be labeled a 'disorder'.  In any case, dumb mis-fitting dresses sometimes send a gal with minor mind issues into a major tizzy! :-p Thankfully, I do not think that I have ever been in circumstances that would need the counsel and intervention of the programs that are available, but I am incredibly thankful for the assistance and support that is offered.

NEXT: Orthorexia.  Wow.  I'm not really going to comment on this other than WOW - quite a conundrum to think that healthy eating can be unhealthy!  http://www.orthorexia.com/

Okay.  Happier thoughts!  Led group fitness at LivingWell this morning!  Quite fun, even though only 3 people attended today!  (That meant that I was able to participate, too!)  10-minute bike warmup for me (while reading!) followed by the workout and a 15-minute walk of the doggy!  Here is today's workout:

**After the fitness members have done their 15-20 minutes of "Cardio" equipment**
The following exercises took the group approximately 40 minutes to complete.

YOGA stretch/balance work for upcoming exercises: Mountain pose, forward hang, (reverse swan dive), mountain pose, backbend w/ clasped hands, forward bend with clasped hands, chair pose, dancer pose [then repeat chair and then dancer pose with opposite leg]
ROTATION/CIRCUIT/STATION exercises: [1 set of 10 each; if single-sided exercise, 10 repetitions on each side]
a) Lunge walk + Russian Torso Twist (use weight plate or dumbbell or medicine ball)
b) Walking Plank (basic plank made dynamic using aerobic step)
c) Partial Squat + overhead press (on BOSU and use dumbbells for press)
d) Good Morning (use of light-weight wooden bar for assistance in proper form)
e) 1-leg squats (off edge of wooden box)
f) Inverse Row/pull-up (using Smith machine)
YOGA stretch/balance: Reverse prayer, tree pose, and half chair
*all of these exercises were done 'modified' the first time and for some, every time, in order to work on proper technique and stability before adding weight*