Fit Your Life

Thirty days.  Over the past thirty days I have attended a yoga class, everyday. This mini-journey has been beautiful, challenging, and rewarding. I have enjoyed much reflection and meditation upon the things which I am grateful for in my lovely life. Sharing these with my blog followers at the end of my challenge seemed fitting ... Breath. This one little word, for which it's meaning we take for granted everyday. When we focus on this one thing, we can be still, open, and mindful. Keith. My wonderful husband, partner in crime, and best friend. Without him, I do not know where I would be. I love you. Family. My parents, siblings, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family, you are are all so very lovely and I am grateful for each of you. Friends. I know that everyone thinks they have the best friends in the world. Well, sorry followers. You are wrong. I have the very best of the best. From those whom I have known for too many years to those I met most rec...

Hello followers! Day 16 :) I am loving this challenge and the wonderful changes I am feeling in my body and mind.  Yesterday and today I had some difficulty arriving to the practices I had intended to attend. I have a couple days off in between sets of night shifts and am determined to "switch back" my schedule as to be a part of the non-nocturnal society. However, this transition helped me to sleep through one alarm yesterday and forget to re-set one today. Frustration and anxiety developed, as my plan had been shifted. With small changes made, I found classes to attend both days.  Looking back, somehow, I think I was meant to attend these two classes despite pre-planning otherwise. Yesterday's Hot Flow Yoga, led by the wonderful Meaghan, was challenging and sweaty, but I felt the strongest I have all week. Such an energizing feeling of liberation and seeking new boundaries and depths within my postures. I left yesterday's classes feeling strong and at peace wi...

Happy Friday everyone! Although it is technically my Monday, I will wish all those who are not working this weekend, a happy one :) I have completed Day 11 of my 30 Day Yoga Challenge! Over one third done!!!! It was a tough week, as I adjusted to a temporary alternate work schedule and finding time for my daily practice, along with everything else we have on our lists in a day. Some mornings I woke up and truly did not feel like going to the studio. It is amazing the excuses one's mind can come up with while laying in bed ... Nevertheless, I arrived at YogaLife each day, with a smile on my face and ready to breathe.  This week I focussed much attention on my breath during class. Most instructors focus on breath throughout the class and this week it was my goal to internalize this. To actually imagine my muscles and connective tissue release and sinking deeper into each pose. I breathed deeper inhales and exhales when the lunges, warriors, squats, planks, and core work ...

It has been a lovely week filled with four very different yoga practices. I began with Hatha, then Hot Flow, Warm Flow, and finished my Friday with a YinYang practice. They were all beautiful and challenging in their own way.  Wednesday morning's Hot Flow was difficult to get out of bed for. Not because I was not excited to go, but the fact that our bed was so warm and leaving the house for the sole purpose of 6am yoga was difficult. However, I did it! Of course, once I was there, I was full of gratitude for the ability of my choice to attend the class and the ability of my body to work through the postures. Great way to start a Wednesday! Yesterday was an emotionally tough day at work, and I was very much looking forward to the YingYang practice. In this class, you begin in restorative poses, using supports such as bolsters, and holding them for minutes. Very relaxing and opening. Lovely. As the practice goes on, we start to move through flows and other postures. Near the end...

Today  was the first day of my 30-day yoga challenge. I could not have been more excited to begin this month long journey by going to one of my favorite yoga instructor's classes! I started my day with a 75 minute Hatha Flow class, led by Cole. My lesson of the day: if I focus on my breath, my mind will relax, and I can deepen my postures. Although I am still on "days off", I find myself busy throughout the day with to do lists and errands. During my Hatha practice this morning, I did my best to focus all my attention on my breath and let all my other thoughts pass. It was glorious. I feel refreshed and ready to conquer my day, the week, and this month. Bring on the breathing. Namaste

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!  I hope that 2012 is treating you & your loved ones well so far.  We had a lovely Christmas, despite me working nights straight through, and a wonderful New Years in beautiful Jasper! During the drive home from our ski weekend getaway, I decided that I wanted to start 2012 off strong! So, today I bought a one-month unlimited pass for my yoga studio and I am challenging myself to 30 days of practice! I am very excited! I plan to still do at-home workouts with Keith, go for the occasional jog, and enjoy some fresh air throughout the month.  Please follow my journey as I post about my challenge, personal growth, and changes over the next 30 days.  Enjoy!