Vida

When I worked at my previous job, I worked from home and didn't have any commute time to factor in so I found a yoga class that I quickly fell in love with.  I made friends.  I went consistently, almost every week.  My yoga teacher knew me and what I could and could not do and was able to push me appropriately.  I knew her.  It made me better. When I got my current job a little over a year ago I had to let it go aside from attending sporadically.  A couple times I even went in late because I needed that class.   As my instructor said this morning in her last class before she heads to Portland, OR, it's not about the instructor or the space or the supplies.  It's about the practice and carrying that in your heart.   She's right.   But that doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye. Yoga opens you up in many ways, including your heart.  So, yes, I cried during class, I cried after as I gave Margo hugs, and I cried on my...

Have you ever noticed your body holds on to stress? I most definitely have noticed that in the past AND, most recently, in the past two weeks. I try to balance it out with yoga. Today I moved into my first downward dog and I could barely get into it, I was so tight. I've heard you store stress in your hips (yes for me) and I also think you store in your shoulders. As I moved through our extreme flow yoga class (which is exactly what I wanted today) I was patient with myself and let myself slowly open up.  I think this is not only physically, but emotionally too.   Yesterday at the office, everyone was ready to offer their critiques of the conference, which I appreciate and know are very important. At the same time, I couldn't carry a conversation about any of them to explore solutions.  Part of this was pure exhaustion.  Part was the stress still lingering, I think. I worked my way through the poses and gradually opened.  By the end I was in sco...

Do you remember when Thursday nights were Thirsty Thursday? I most certainly do.  We would always go to a bar on Lincoln that had $1 bottles.  I can't remember the name of it, but it was amazing. A few weeks ago I came to the solid conclusion my days of Thirsty Thursday are so long ago (for one reason because they actually are) when I spent my Thursday evening dropping a ton of money at Crate & Barrel ... weddings ... le sigh.  Well this week Karen & I brought it back at Goose Island's free new beer release party.   We did have to convince each other to go as both our days were very long.  (Turns out being the project manager on multiple projects at the same time is difficult to juggle.)  But we went. And we were tired. :) But I did go to yoga this morning and I was not disappointed (I never am with Margo), but she left us with a quote about sometimes you need to be a mess because it is often when you are able to have th...

Yoga in the winter generally = "heart openers" Or shoulder openers.  Or chest openers.  Take your pick.  They all involve many of the same poses. That's what all the instructors call it, but basically, in the winter we all walk around with our shoulders hunched over because we are cold.  "Heart openers" counteract that and open up our shoulders. As a consequence my backbends have never looked better.   mid-backbend This also means my instructor is, of course, finding ways to make it even better...and harder.  There is ALWAYS another step in yoga. After class this morning: My gym friend, Molly:  Do you pull out your back bends as a fun party trick? Me:  Haha.  No. Molly:  I guess that could be dangerous. I love that we both have our own strengths though.   I can move into compass pose: But she can take it further into eight-angle pose: So I just sit there in my compass pose and smile at her...

A few weeks ago one of my yoga instructors said "Yoga Is Now" at the end of practice.   And yes, ever since then I've thought about this saying a lot. While working in hospitals I am very used to getting a cold reception, but I am not used to being blatantly snapped at.  After a couple days of the cold shoulder one lady snapped at me (after being nice at the beginning, she tricked me).  I seriously thought I was going to cry walking back to find my group.  And then I repeated yoga is now in my head over and over.  I thought about it hard.  Took deep breaths and I did not cry.  I didn't even tell my team about it.  I just moved on.  You may think it's crazy, but I think if you get yoga, you'll get it. Give it a try the next time life throws you a curve ball. Here's to being in the moment and not letting outside influences get you down. I went to yoga Sunday and when we were supposed to come up with our intention for the pr...

The yoga instructor for lunch time class today read this meditation at the end & it really hit me & I think I love it. (I already shared it with two people so here it is for all of you.) Awaken to Your Heart's Contentment One day, you'll awaken to discover your life is all you wanted and hoped it would be. Oh, you'll not find everything just the way your head said you wanted it.  It might not be the way you planned.  But you'll awaken to your dreams-your dreams of joy, love, and peace.  Your dream of freedom. You'll see beyond the illusions.  You'll transcend your old limiting beliefs.  You'll wake up and notice that your past is just as it needed to be.  You'll see where you are today is good.  You'll notice that you laugh a lot, cry a lot, smile a lot. You'll look at tomorrow with peace, faith, and hope-knowing that while you cannot control some of what life does, you have possibilities and powers in any circumstance life mig...

Remember how I talked about work/life balance.  Remember how I said it's hard. I meant it. Especially when working on a program that makes you work long, late hours.  Getting through the weeks is becoming very hard.  (I know I'm not through yet.  This is a 6-day week for me so I have 2 more days to go!) Yesterday I felt completely run into the ground and didn't know what to do.  I sat on the floor of my cube for 20 minutes reading Cardinals articles.  I'm not kidding. That was me. ( via ) I am convincing myself I am a very good actress.  When it comes time to deliver programs I do it.  And I do it enthusiastically.  Even if my mind is racing.  (Maybe that's what I should be?) I knew my yoga class would help me feel better this morning & that it most definitely did! When I first woke up I was upset with myself because my phone died in the middle of the night so I missed my spin class.  I allowed myself to be ma...

I've mentioned before my feeling that yoga makes me a better person.  It does. I think yoga helps me personally feel better about myself and more understanding about life. Running.  Running makes me a better person too.  The difference I think is running makes me a better person for other people that I interact with everyday.  My best thoughts about what I can do for others and some great, creative brainstorming sessions happen while I run.  As well as making lists (in my head) of things I've meant to tell people (nice or informative things) or do. I read a different blog that seemed to be a great explanation of how I feel while running.  When I read it I wanted to yell, "YES!  Exactly!"  Here's a little excerpt: "Truth be told, I do most of my deepest and best thinking while running. I have never been able to figure out why this is the case.  Is it related to the endorphins? Am I so in the moment that my mind and spirit simply open up? ...

a few weeks ago i was talking with my cube-mate, rubina, trying to learn more about her youth.  (she grew up in india.) we got on the topic of yoga.  as you know i'm a pretty big fan of yoga.  she mentioned she doesn't especially like how it's become so commercialized because the foundation of yoga goes against that.  i can definitely see where she's coming from, but I do think it made it possible for yoga to spread and more to enjoy it's benefits. during this conversation she told me namaste means hello, but that's not all it means.  it means the divine in me recognizes and salutes the divine in you.  you're supposed to have your hands together in front of you (which i would call prayer position), maintain eye contact, & bow your head politely as a sign of respect.   i generally say namaste once in every yoga class i take and I didn't know that.  That's bad.  I really appreciated her telling me this so I can be a bit more knowledgeab...

Today is the first astro overnight of the season (which if you forgot this means I work a shifted schedule for the day).  AND more importantly, means I get to go to my fav yoga class!!!!  I haven't been able to go since May (it ends at 9 and when i need to be at work at 9, that's a challenge) so I couldn't wait to see how it went. With it being a "rest" day and the late arrival to work, it was exactly what I needed. So I have several stories to share ONE I made "confidence" my intention.  For several reasons.  I'll share one. I've had a bit of a shaky week, making me nervous about the race Sunday.  My body's literally been shaking.  It's not uncommon for me (it happens sometimes), but not something I want to happen marathon week.  I've been doubting everything: 'I didn't feel as well as I should have after that short run.'  'What should I eat, what should I eat.', etc.  I need to trust what I've done an...

I KNEW this week was going to be insane before it started. hence my tattoo for the week No, it's not real.   I've been on a bit of a tattoo kick lately.  I really would like one, but I'm definitely too indecisive for anything like that so I draw pictures depending on my mood. This is tree pose.  I love that your feet keep you grounded, think of it like a tree's roots.  the things and people that are always there for you no matter what.  Then you have your branches and fingers to move around with what life sends you.  There's more to that description, but there's the short form.   I wanted to keep myself grounded as I prepared for the week of insanity. It started Monday at work.  (Yes, I work Tuesday-Saturday, but people don't always respect that schedule.)  We went to a school for their first day.  (track E CPS schools started monday) It went pretty well, just exhausting, as usual.  But the BEST part was what we saw roamin...

fridays are currently rest days in my marathon training schedule.  so i take the opportunity to do some ab work and yoga. right now i'm working on my head stand in yoga. it scares me. to put that much weight on my head.   what i've learned in yoga is if i'm too scared or i think i can't do something, i won't be able to.  i work up this morning and kept repeating that i could do it.  i didn't do it perfectly (i'm still using the wall), but i did the best i've done.  it felt so good. i kind of feel like the little engine that could , but whatever.   the positive thoughts are a great take away though and something i know can be used in everything in life.

thursday liz and i got out of the adler, to the car, and to the park.  we decided we could/had to spare 10 minutes to swing before we started the sessions.  we talked and then i decided i needed to go all out so i started going high.  liz followed.  we stopped talking and just pumped.  i looked at my watch and it was time so i started slowing down.   i said "whew.  i feel so much better." liz "me too" and we were ready for our last day of the normal park voyagers before we start doing family stuff for the next couple weeks. why did we need this release? i guess work is getting both of us/all the AEs a little down lately.  i think the root of it is one of our bosses does not seem to understand or definitely appreciate what we do.  i look at this as a way for me to learn and grow for the future. at one point we were talking about something (all of us pretty annoyed-after this boss just had a meeting with the three of us) and finally i think i...

hot yoga  -  check today i got to go into work late because i was still over on my hours and today was the end of the pay period.  i started thinking and decided this was the PERFECT opportunity to check something off my new year's resolution list.  i could go to a hot yoga class.  i knew the time would be tight, but i could make it work. holy sweat.  that's the shortest, most descriptive thing i can say about my experience. first i went in the room and was super impressed with the wood floors that were sort-of cushy, like bouncy.  i really liked those.  and i didn't think it was all that hot.  so i got comfortable on my mat and got ready to go. so we started.  we moved through each pose rather quickly.  which i think you have to do in hot yoga considering obstacles that aren't necessarily usually there.... for example. my mat was drenched.  most the people in the class brought towels.  i did not.  in downward do...

"nothing in yoga is every perfect.  never" i would like to substitute life for the word yoga.  for some reason it makes me feel better. p.s. i did the plow pose today!

Ganesha graha nakshatra Yogini rashi rupinim Devim mantra mayim naumi Matrika Pitha rupinim I open myself to receive those teachings that reveal the light of knowledge in me. this is the chant from the beginning of class. sundays i started taking a parayoga class. parayoga is a type of yoga that focuses on breath and para (the energy in your body). i would say it's one of the more relaxing yoga classes i take. after feeling gross all day yesterday and having to skip out on one of my friend's birthday's a little early last night. not kidding after spending some time with her and her friends i left early and went to bed. i woke up feeling better...whew. so i needed this morning at the gym, get my immune system back up. i had my cardio then i switched my hair to a braid to get ready for parayoga. we focused on lengthening. just what i need. i'm starting to focus more and more on different variations to deepen and go further in the poses. usually they say here...

i started out the morning being pleasantly surprised with my rise 'n shine class at the gym. i have several favorite instructors at the gym and one was subbing for another so i was happy. i was only a little worried because the one who was subbing (John) does a less intense workout when i go to his class than rise 'n shine with Michael usually is. but man he stepped it up and i think i like him so much because he always has something positive to say and fun stories to share with the class. so i got that + an intense cardio workout. then i was able to take one of my favorite yoga classes and man... i feel tired. it literally kicked my butt. maybe because i took a class before it too? i don't know. we did an inversion style class, meaning we were upside down for probably half the class. it's supposed to be energizing and do all these amazing things to your body. i just feel tired. really tired. now i know the plow i am not so good at, but the shoulder stand i l...

aw man i feel great! so i finally made it to a yoga class this morning. i meant to go tuesday night, but it was snowing, my head hurt, and i had a sub-par day so i didn't go. basically i was full of excuses. so they finally figured out my hours at work (i'm way over for this pay period) so they decided to have me come in late today and leave early saturday. okie dokie. i made the yoga happen. i really like one of the classes in the bright and early morning friday so i got up to do it anyway and then headed to the yoga class. i haven't taken a yoga class since december and i just forget how much i really do love it. it really helps me work things out that are hanging out in my mind and i don't tackle with openness during my everyday life. but i do in yoga. and my body feels awesome! i seriously felt like my entire walk home was on a cloud (mind and body). i know there are yoga critics out there. and yes at the beginning (it was an hour and a 1/2 class) i looked...