Archive for July, 2009
What kind of yogi are you?
Wow, the weather has been fantastic this summer for us in Powell River. This past week has been a scorcher. I’m finding it hard to get to my home practice and draw inward, when the climate is evaporating all my energy and drive. Though it’s been a great opportunity to get some reading done, and enjoy the many lakes we have at our whim.
Here’s something fun from Yoga Journal, take this quiz and find out what kind of yogi you are. I’m a hippie yogi, which I can see, not sure about “flashing peace signs at people you don’t know”, but maybe I should start.
Tuesday and Thursday classes this week
We will have our practice in the park again this week, Larry Gouthro Park, at the top of Barnet and Manson at 7:15 pm. Hope to see you there!
Like fine wine…
Go, Bette, go! She’s 83 and teaches 11 yoga classes a week, how inspiring. Have a look at the article that’s linked, there’s also a video interview.
Click photo to link to the article
The best help out there… self help.
“The only devils in the world are those running in our own hearts.
That is where the battle should be fought.” – Mahatma Gandhi
I started a new book this weekend, The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO by Robin Sharma. This would be classified as a “self-help book” which may turn some off, but I’m enjoying it so much and finding that it parallels yogic philosophy that I had to share it with you.
The story is about Jack, a professional that isn’t satisfied with his life, who embarks on a quest to reconnect with his best self. He quickly realizes that our life path doesn’t happen by chance but rather every encounter is part of continued series of life lessons we chose to learn from or not.
I’m finding it a fun read, it’s a soul-searching subject but delivered in a down to earth way. It has delivered a fair share of those “a-ha” moments. The back cover reads “…guide to living your life at its most authentic level.” Where do I sign up?
Yoga in the Park this Thursday
Hi everyone. We had so much fun in the park on Tuesday, we are going to continue classes at Larry Gouthro Park while the weather permits. The park is on Manson and Barnet and class will be on the Barnet side of the park. Please check back, I’ll post the location of the class the night before. Also, follow us on twitter, or if you’d like an email reminder just contact me and I’ll email you the location.
Cheers.
Tuesdays (tomorrows) Yoga Class
If you were planning on coming to tomorrows hatha class it’s going to be held at Larry Gouthro Park, at the top of Barnet and Manson. We will be in the top right corner, along Barnet, in the shade of the trees. If you need to rent a mat, please contact me in advance and I’ll make sure I have one for you. Hope you can make it!
Namaste.
Photo of the Week
This weekend the weather was fabulous, we (Tyson, Rupert and I) took advantage of it and drove up Mt. Troubridge. The views from up there are staggering. Here’s just a taste.
Spiced Quinoa
Searching for gluten-free meals that used quinoa, on allrecipes.com, and came across this new favourite. I’ve made the dish twice in the last three weeks. I actually had a craving for it, it’s that good. The aroma that fills the kitchen is so soothing, and the raisins and curry go so well together.
If you haven’t tried cooking with quinoa it is as easy as rice and couscous.
Nutritionally it’s a wonder, a complete protein source, high in dietary fiber and loaded with iron. It’s perfect really! Enjoy!
Click pic for link to recipe
Starting a new habit
This morning I ran 5K, it’s been a while since I’ve ran a measured distance and 5K is a little further then I thought. It was the perfect morning for the challenge. Nice and warm, overcast, a slight sea breeze and when I rounded the first corner of the track there’s a view of the ocean through the trees. Throughout my run I was always coming back to myself and checking in.
I couldn’t help but think during the run how much my yoga practice helped me keep moving for the 35 minutes, 12.5 laps, and a handful of songs. When I needed that extra little breath I ballooned my lungs out and was surprised to feel air in areas of my chest I had not felt before. What an exhilarating experience to know I’m not using my body to it’s full potential… there’s room for growth.
You know that point in a run when you start telling yourself “that’s enough”? Yogi’s call this voice the “ego”, and sometimes it is enough, but most times the ego is saying “I know there’s more in the tank, but I’m just tired.” I find my ego saying things like, “at least you made it out”, “you could always go again tomorrow”, “look at them, they’re just walking”…. But today, I listened to my Self. I had set an intention to run the full 5K and just kept going.
I love having the body awareness that yoga has taught me. As I was tiring, about 2K in (which is the distance I now know my normal after work jogs are) the ego kicked in saying “walk just one lap”. I took a moment and focused on my breath, steady inhales and exhales. Brought my awareness to my legs and hips, my stride was a little short but hey, I’m going farther then I have in a long time. Walking wasn’t an option and then I rounded that first corner again and aaahhh the ocean view. And my mind was onto something else, tiredness forgotten.
When chatting with other runners, we talk about that tiring stage and knowing when you are done. The majority say either the lungs tire first or the legs do. For myself it’s the cardio that limits me. By the ninth lap I was feeling it in my right lower ribs but I was on the home stretch. So I slowed my pace for the last few laps, feeling great that I’d gone farther today than yesterday. Then I thought of the coffee I was going to have when I got home, found a rockin’ song on “Skip” (my iPod shuffle) and poured it on for the last 100 meters. It’s been a great day, 5K and it’s only 9 am.
In the meantime…
While I wait for my mat to wear out, I may get myself a pair of these. On the weekend I had my feet in a pair and they really do feel like being on your yoga mat. I loved it. They claim to be “ridiculously comfortable”, I’m sold.
Sanuk Yoga Mat Lotus sandals
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