30 Day Yoga Challenge

30 Day Challenge at Yaletown YYOGA

The end of August means the end of YYOGA’s 30 day challenge! I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought this was a good idea a month ago — oh wait, I know what I was thinking… “Hey you know how you have 922592058025 things on the go right now, why don’t you pick up another?” Yay! :/

So anyways, I committed to the 30 day challenge for the last month of summer. Yep, a busy fricking month. Life has been chaotic. Days have been spent with clients. Nights and weekends have been packed with way too much fun. I ran my first half marathon and since it finished, I’m training for my next. Beach. Sun. Friends. Run. Work. Weekend away. Friends. Run. Sun. Work. Work. Work. Run. Sun. Run. Work. Sun. Friends. Run.

YOGA.

It ended up at the bottom of the list. As per my update at the 20 day mark, I got off to a great start! 3 classes in one day! Never thought that was possible. Since then though…

• August 1 – Core with Aili, Yoga Barre with Alex, Power with Clara
• August 2 – Power with Aili
• August 3 – Power  with Clara
• August 6 – Power with Troy
• August 8 – Power with Troy
• August 11 – … first half marathon! 
• August 15 – Power with Troy
• August 20 – Power with Troy
• August 24 – Power with Yeva, Yin with Troy

… bringing this 30 day challenge to a total of 11 classes! Woohoo and lame all at the same time.

I had intended to finish my last week with a bang — full on yoga, all week long. Instead I went to LIVE at Squamish with Miss Katie, ended up having a little too much fun — and killed a few days recovering. Hello pizza. Hello Bachelor Pad. I went from hangover central, straight into a bout of the flu.

Body was trying to tell me something I think… :)

The positives… I have never done 11 yoga classes in one month, so I think that’s a win. I also did enough classes so that the pass paid for itself, another win. I tried out a few new teachers and types of yoga… win win. I’m more flexible. I’m stronger. I feel like I’m more connected with my breath. I now know how to set myself up for success before getting to yoga — hello water, hello eat something. Win win win win.

The only negative is that I’m guilty of overcommitting once again. {When will I learn…!}.

So what’s next?

I know that yoga is good for my soul.

Not in a fluffy, I so need to lay on the floor, space out and think about nothing. {I hate that part.}

Rather I know that yoga can support my mission in becoming stronger — both mentally and physically. Yoga has already made a difference to my training and I can only imagine that will get better if I keep it up. I feel way more centred on my breath when I run and my body awareness  has increased ten fold.

I am very motivated by progress — and in a short 30 days I have already seen myself and my body moving forward. I like the routine of yoga… figuring out what classes I will go to this week, getting excited about a teacher and having a hot shower after some sweat time on the mat. My heart feels full when I know I’ve had a good class {sometimes your head just isn’t in the game} and it sets my day/eve up for success.

Just like an evening run, a late night yoga class helps me sleep like a baby. I feel calmer and more balanced.

Tomorrow Katie and I are off to Power in the morning and Yin at night. And tomorrow I will buy an annual yoga membership… like whoa. {Need to do one class a week in order for it to be worth it — I think twice a week is probably achievable.}

Shoulder Stand – August 2012

I know that me and yoga aren’t done. We have work to do!

I need to continue to work on my breath. It will no doubt keep me more sane {which is good for me — and everybody}. I want to rock out my running goals. Yoga will help me be a lean, mean machine! I really want to strengthen {and commit to} my spine. My Scoliosis will thank me over and over again. I’m determined to get better at shoulder stands, inversions and crow. I also need to figure out what limitations my rods will create for me as the poses become more advanced — if anyone knows, hook me up!

I’m officially in a relationship with you, body. 

PS – Oh and by the way, today I bought a skipping rope. Flash back to grade 5. Can’t wait to incorporate it into training!

look up

Recently I bought the book “Up: A Pragmatic Look at the Direction of Life” by David Niven.  I’ve been going through what some might call….‘life change’ and this book seemed to be right up my alley.

The book starts off with saying:

“Should you look up?  There’s a lot to be said for it.  Looking up to make eye contact and exchange smiles is essential to feeling a connection with others.  Looking up is how we see the blue sky and the beauty of life all around us.  Looking up, research shows, actually makes us more optimistic, feel better about ourselves, and generate positive thoughts.”

It then goes on to discuss why ‘looking up’ can be difficult to today’s society.  We have distractions, struggles, and are going through life changes no previous generation has experienced. “Up” provides 365 unique ways as to why, we as citizens should be grateful for what we have and the continual opportunities that are presented to us.

The book is full of treasures that hit of home, but the following are a few of my favourites:

#148 – Faith in Yourself

Remember all the drama with Y2K and the thought that technology was going to go through major drama?  Did that happen? Absolutely not. I believe that if those same thoughts were said in 2010 – the response would be different.  People are more optimistic than they were in past.  I am surrounded by people who truly believe the word is full of good.  They believe in themselves, take risks, and have every opportunity to succeed.  They don’t worry about what might happen – they proceed full-speed ahead.  Life truly has to be lived.

#42 – It’s Not Just a Job

We have been shifting from a “live to work” to a “work to live” mentality for years.  When you hear of a friend, colleague, or family member looking for new work – very rarely, you will hear someone say… “I just need a paycheque.”  No.  Jobs these days are about passion, learning, and having a role on this planet.  What am I bringing to the table?  How can I make a difference to a company?  Do my values align with the organizations mission and vision?  Yes, money is important to a certain degree.  It’s important to pay the bills and provide for your family.  Jobs are no longer about 40 hours a week.  Jobs are part of people, and employees care about their organizations. People have a refreshing perspective on commitment to their careers.

#154 – Change the World

Do you feel like you can change the world?  I do.  Is that likely?  No… but at least I have faith… right? ;) Similar to the discussion on organizations and values, people these days have a need and want to help others.  They are curious about language, culture, and travel.  They are willing to take risks to learn something new, whether it be an experience or a life-changing opportunity.  Believe that you (yes, you!) have the power to tackle this world.

#328 – Progressing Every Day

Every day is an opportunity to be better.  Every day is an opportunity to accomplish tasks and make progress. We are living in a world of resources.  Back in the day, many many years back, society didn’t have the resources to strive for big goals.  But guess what, we have them now.  Are you using them?  We have experts one every topics – financial literacy, education, legal, recruitment, marketing, etc.  Many people have mentors – whether they have career, non-profit, or life focused.  We are all capable of achieving great things.  Set goals; make progress; measure measure measure – and achieve.

#76 – Housework is for Everybody

There was a time when housework was meant to fall under the responsibility of the wife or woman of the house.  For a long time, men dominated the workforce – providing plenty of opportunity for women to be busy in the home. My sister and her husband have what they call “pink jobs” and “blue jobs”… ugh makes me shiver just thinking about it.  Pink jobs include laundry, cooking, cleaning – the usual; blue jobs include taking out the trash, yard work, etc.  This works for them, but my thoughts are – the majority of couples in their 20’s find a balance with household tasks.  Status in the family and home has changed, in North America at the very least, women are considered equal to men. In many families, both the husband and wife work full-time jobs.  Why would chores dominate with one person?  Just like we are striving for continual equality in the workplace, we have finally found equality in the home. The book states that “women whose husbands share in the housework are 15% more likely to rate their husbands as ‘very physically attractive.’” That’s right boys – get on that ironing! ;)

#212 – Never Facing Pain Alone

To fully understand the ‘old’ way of thinking, I look to my Grandpa.  Last year he battled Colon Cancer… but would anyone have known?  Absolutely not.  He hid his illness for ages, not knowing what he had or why he was sick.  Why?  Because that’s how he was raised.  Disease wasn’t talked about as many did not understand or have the background to understand.  Eventually my Grandpa became sick enough that my mom noticed he was unwell – physically he had lost a lot of weight etc. [He battled the heck out of that cancer and is doing well today!] In today’s world we have access to a wealth of information.  We have resources such as information online, medical experts, family assistance programs, and support groups.  We have family, friends, and coworkers. It is no surprise that we will continually experience pain in our lifetimes – that in itself is not going away.  What has changed, is how we handle it.  Don’t hide from your loved ones, embrace the support, and get through the tough times.  A great book relating to this topic is “Life in the Balance” by Dr. Marla Shapiro.

More information on the book can be found:

http://linux.davidniven.com/up.php

If you need to be brought back down to planet earth or need some sort of life reality check, read the book.  We owe it to ourselves to be grateful for both the good and bad that is presented to us.

We truly live in a bright world. Always have hope. ❤