Just Breathe

Breathing is a very important part of yoga. I've heard an instructor say that if you do nothing else for the next hour, but breathe you have done more than most. So, before you read on take a minute to breathe. Take a big inhale and then slowly exhale. Doesn't that feel good? Do it again if you like and read on.

In yoga the poses, postures and movements are not as important as your breath. I really took that into consideration during my yoga practice. The instructor started us with our vinyassa for the class and then let us go. The challenge was moving with your own breath. It is a conscious effort for me to do this has at some points I find myself holding my breathe. Just let it out, I think. What are you holding onto?

The meditation part of yoga (savasana) is something we do at the end of each class. We take 5 minutes for ourselves with no agenda, no expectations and just breathe. Another instructors really has us think about our breath, the inhale and exhale. How we feel as we breathe, the cooler air of the inhale and warmth of the exhale. The air cycling through our body. This normal, every day act that most of us take for granted, is very powerful.

So the next time you are having a bad day, stressed and not sure what to do...breathe, just breathe.

Yoga

I joined a new gym in June and have been keeping busy with yoga classes. I also like the fact that they have an indoor and outdoor swimming pool where I can swim laps and get some sun! I'm also enjoying a yoga class on Monday nights at a different yoga studio. I feel like I am more challenged in that class and it is more than just a form of exercise. So 2-3 days during the week, I can be found at yoga class after work and on the weekends more yoga and some pool time. That's a pretty nice summer to me.

My company has a wellness program, where employees get points for eating their fruits and veggies, working out, getting check-ups and not smoking. With enough points you get a free day off work. I've started leading a yoga class at work every other Thursday over the lunch hour and really enjoy it. I just did my third class last week and have had about 4-6 co-workers attending each class. It's nice to share what I know and also practice my yoga. I've been told a couple times that I should get certified. This is something that was in the back of my mind (I put the project management certification on hold, don't think it's right for me). So, I emailed my first yoga instructor (who inspired me when I first started) and asked what she thought. She recommended a certification in Colorado Springs next February. I'm planning to get some more information and see what this would all entail. Might be a nice second income for me one of these days.

And since I put my new car and new roof on hold, I decided I am going to make my next dream vacation a reality. I'm going to Hawaii!!! Next March there is a yoga retreat I found through an adventure-vacation company. Each retreat they do has some sort of activity associated with it. Yoga and Hawaii – what a perfect match! I'm planning to sign up in the next couple weeks and I've already talked to my boss about taking the time off from work. I hope to learn a lot about myself and yoga and Hawaii!

The Big City

I have been planning a trip to Chicago with my Mom. I was telling a client at work the other day about the trip and they said I must like the big cities. Last year I went to New York City and this year Chicago. I've thought about this before coming from a small town. My friends and I would drive to the “big city,” Wichita, KS which was about a 30 minute road trip. We would go to the mall, movie theatre and Red Lobster. 

I guess from the beginning I was always looking for more. I knew I wanted to go away to college and Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS was the perfect fit. Still that home-town feel, however more people and more to do. I made some life-long friends there and two of them ended up in the next big city with me, Kansas City. One friend has since moved on to San Diego and I am wondering if I am ready for the next big city. I've really enjoyed traveling and the freedom my job gives me. I've been able to afford to travel and take the time off. I love New York City and I'm sure I'll love Chicago. For now traveling to the big cities is enough for me, however one day I may feel the need to take on the next big city in my life.

Partying in your Thirties

I'm sure all of us go through this Friday at work, everyone talking about the upcoming weekend and their plans. On the schedule this weekend was a local band playing Friday night and a friend's birthday Saturday night. When I was talking with my co-workers I kept saying, "I'm not sure how I'm going to party two nights in a row." I used to do this all the time in my 20's, however it really does take it out of me going out all night, having a few drinks, laughing with good friends and then doing it all over again the next night. I feel old.

I guess it also depends on how the night goes. Sometimes they are a hit and sometimes you are ready to leave by 8 o'clock. That's another thing, in college, I remember not leaving the house until 10 or 11 o'clock. Now, if I don't get out the door early then I would rather stay home and plan a nice, comfy evening.

This Friday night was a hit. The band was rockin', the drinks were flowing and we were all having a good time with plenty of laughs. We even went to a second bar after the band stopped playing, which is usually unheard of in my current partying days. I didn't get home until 2:30 am. How was I supposed to top this and go out again Saturday night? Well unfortunately my friend was sick, so we are going to have to celebrate her birthday another day. Lucky for me.