Just Breathe

They say that the way that you spend New Year’s Day is the way that you’ll spend they year. Well, if that’s true, 2012 is going to be the year that I learn to breathe with yoga!

  This morning (ok, it was noon, but on New Year’s Day, noon is still morning, right?) I went with Kim, her husband, and my sister to Kim’s yoga studio, aptly named Breathe. They were having a New Year’s Day/1st Anniversary special – free yoga all day. I hadn’t been to the studio before, and I have to say, I really loved it there. It’s not as large as the studio I normally go to, but there’s something very comforting and peaceful about this space.

The front desk area - very warm & welcoming

A blurry photo of the tea house sign. I love that they have this option for a pre or post session cup of tea.

A shot of the store and decor. If you look to the left, you can see a class.

The wall of buddhas.

My favorite thing - by far - was this waterfall wall with the word "breathe" in all the different languages of the world. From Sanskrit to Italian and everything in between.

The best part of the day, though, was the Yoga Basics class taught by Su Wong.  Su was an amazing teacher – very knowledgeable, but also very lighthearted and playful in her teaching style. She was excellent about demonstrating the poses and then walking around and slightly adjusting the students as she saw we needed it.  She kept reminding us to be grateful for the way that our bodies  could move, and she kept reminding us not to take it all so seriously.  She repeated “let go” throughout the class, which was an excellent way for me to begin the new year living my mantra of release.  Sometimes things work out so perfectly that you know they just can’t be an accident – they’re absolutely meant to be. 

I left the class feeling uplifted, refreshed, and so energetic.  All the little kinks from the week’s workouts had been worked out, and I was ready to tackle the rest of the day, which consisted of a light lunch, a long walk with Sofi, and now some quiet time writing and listening to Buddha Bar Rebirth & Rejoice.  I bought these CDs back in 2004 and used to listen to them all the time, and then sort of forgot about them, so it’s been nice to rediscover them today.  They definitely have the calm, world music, electronic vibe.  Later tonight I plan on taking a long, luxurious bath, because I want to make that a weekly habit on Sunday evenings as a way of ending the weekend and beginning the new week.

To continue this yoga practice, one of my friends saw my post about going to Breathe today and let me know that next weekend my favorite studio, YogaSource, is offering free classes both days.  The studio is moving to new, 10,000 square foot space, and I can’t wait to check it out.  I’ve signed up for yin yoga on Saturday (after Zumba, I figured a little peace and spirtuality would be nice) and then Bikram on Sunday. I’m so glad I’m able to take advantage of another weekend of free yoga classes.

 

I also plan to take advantage of the fact that my local Lululemon store offers free yoga on Sunday mornings at 9:30am.  I think that sounds like a great new habit for 2012.  In the summer they take the yoga outside, which sounds fantastic.

I wish yoga wasn’t so expensive. In my area, a monthly membership is well over $80 (limited sessions) and closer to $115/mo for unlimited. That’s just not in my budget. But with as many yoga studios as I have in my vicinity, I could probably spend the next year paying very little by just taking part in these intro deals every month or so. That way, I can check out all of the studios I’m likely to go to and figure out which one I like the best.  Once I do that, I plan to buy some class packages, which helps me save a bit on the drop-in cost, and allows me to take my favorite class – Bikram – more often.

I think that 2012 is going to be the year that I explore my inner yogini even more! And by doing so, it will also be the year that I’m finally able to fit into some Lululemon yoga clothes.  Namaste!!

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#WEverb11, Day 14: Breathe

For the month of December, I’ll be participating in #WEverb11. Each day gives a new prompt, each of which is a chance to reflect and look forward.

December 14: Breathe

How did you make space + peace for yourself in 2011?  Contributed by Megan.

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I’m not sure I really did this in 2011 all that much.  This year was all about moving and doing for me.  Sure, I took a yoga class or two (which I love), but I don’t think of 2011 as a year that gave me a lot of peace or space.  And maybe that’s ok.

I feel alive and awake in a wonderful way, and I want to keep this momentum up.  I feel like space is what I gave myself for many years when I let myself fill up on excuses or food or not working out.  This past year was my time to awaken all that I want to become. Which is not to say that a little peace can’t be a part of that, too.

Maybe it should be.  I know that if I had more peace days like Monday wouldn’t get to me so much.  I have gotten so much better than I used to be about not sweating the small stuff, but I still have a long way to go.  I am the classic type-A personality for sure.

As I mentioned the other day, I see myself creating more peace and space by focusing on living healthy.  Taking a walk with just Sofi and my thoughts to guide me.  While reading a book and getting lost in the narrative and the character development. Or breathing deeply through a Bikram yoga class.

And actually, it just hit me.  This summer, when I was swimming by myself were the moments where I felt the most peace and spaciousness surrounding me.  I was completely present in the water, counting my breaths, pushing my limits, and getting to be a stronger swimmer.

Of course this blog gives me the most time to just sit, reflect, and breathe.  I get to share my life, figure out some deep-seeded issues, struggle, persevere, and ultimately triumph.  All in my little corner of this blog world.

So I guess even in the midst of all that DOING, I did find a bit of peace.

What about you?  Where/how did your peace emerge this year?

 

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If you’d like to join in on the daily writing prompts, go to WEverb11, sign up for the email notifications, and join us! Or follow along on Twitter using the #WEverb11 hashtag!

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Quote of the Week – Breathe

Breathe.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”  ~ Oprah Winfrey

This quote from Oprah is a great reminder that when I’m struggling with something in my life, all I need to do is nothing.  Just breathe.  Just take a second to myself and see how it all plays out.  I’m a very “take charge” kind of person, and I like being in control, so letting go isn’t easy for me.  But I have found that in my times of greatest stress, letting go is the way to calm down.

This week off is like one long, exhaled breath.  I get time to myself without too many plans, so that I can center myself.  My plan is to refocus myself.  I want to remember how much I enjoy working out and exercising and being active.  I sort of lost that “fun factor” for a little while, and I’m excited to get it back.

I’ve slowly come to a few huge realizations about myself and this weight loss journey, which I will share with you in time.  I’m still working through them and figuring out how it all fits. I find that in the moments when I give myself a break, I find the most clarity. I’m hoping that’s true this week, as well.

The photo I chose above is so serene and peaceful and really makes me want to do some yoga this week.  So I’m going to.  I may end up doing a DVD at home, but I’m hoping to make it to the yoga studio to do some Bikram, because I still have a few sessions worth of credit there.  I may even go today.

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