As described, the instructor 'weaves relaxation postures into the sequence' Day 26: Yoga to Strengthen the Lower Back and the Legs. . .which happens to be just what I needed this evening. Working long, full, and physical/mental/emotional energy-dependent days serving others while feeling barely able to stand or hold eyes open (much less exercise or prepare healthy foods) has been quite an experience for the last few months. Lately, sleep ranks equal with supper most nights and sometimes outbids the day's final meal. Needless to say, being purposeful about practicing yoga offers great gains to my overall well-being and healing; the busy, noisy, energetic household I live in does not always afford a quiet-for-more-than-3-minutes environment to relax.
<<Thankfully, I did score a 90-minute nap this afternoon!>>
<<And swam for 30 minutes after work!>>
Waking from the nap and knowing how beautiful the weather was outside today, I managed to talk myself into walking the dogs and boys in the sunshine. After dinner, I was determined to complete another session of the 30 for 30 challenge (in part because I want to finish what I started; in part because another Yoga International challenge begins soon; and in part because I am recognizing how much I crave the 20-30 minutes of flow - how my body and mind are challenged.
Two little monkeys and four assorted dogs attempted to practice with me at various points tonight. Beardy-man captured a few precious moments when the boys came up from their playroom and sat down next to me to move through a few poses.
Days like today, moments like these, remind me that the 'perfect place' for yoga (or any workout) isn't necessarily the picturesque patio, fancy high-tech gym, or modern yoga studio - it is right here, right now, breathing and adapting as one little boy wants help with his down dog or a live dog wants to be let in from the snowy outdoors in the middle of my plank. Its all good. I have a great life. Breathe - adapt - move - be present.
@CoachBurow #30for30 #yogachallenge #yogaeveryday #mindbodyhealth #anyspaceisyogaspace #gratefulattitude
THANK YOU baby Jesus for the sunshine, the breeze, the bike trail, and good people (and dogs) in my life! Great run/walk with two awesome ladies and all of our dogs! Impromptu 11am-12pm on a fairly flat bike trail. 3.82mi.
Came home and made an AWESOME smoothie:
1 ripe-to-slightly overripe banana
mixed berries (blue, rasp, & black)
1.5 tbsp peanut butter powder
1 tbsp chocolate soy-spirulina protein powder (basically a ground up multi vitamin)
chunks of frozen chopped spinach
unsweetened vanilla almond milk
some ground flaxseed
some raw wheat germ
Yum-O! Get yourself moving somehow, someway TODAY! And put some fruits and veggies in your body!