Awww, Yoga

I took an ah-mazing ashtanga yoga class last week. Ashtanga yoga has an intense, flowing style in which the same asanas (poses) are always done in the same order. I wish I could find the words to explain how I felt when I left that hour and a half class. Other than the fact that I could barely stand (how many vinyasa flows can one person do??) I felt so good. Yes. Just really very good. Yoga has a way of making your body feel tall, long, strong, and capable. Learning to breath and focus on my practice and on what I need right at that moment is a skill I feel has effected my whole life. I have had a stressful few years, but I've made it through them and I am still making it through each day. Yoga calms me and it encourages me. I think back to the first time I tried yoga and laughed at what I was trying to do. At the time I was laughing because I thought there was no possible way I was ever going to accomplish these crazy things, but as my practice continued my view changed and I began to try. I decided I would just see what happened. I left that class last week having held a headstand, a backbend, and several balancing poses and binds! Yay! We can do so many things, but first we have to try and then we have to diligently keep trying until *suddenly* you realize you're doing it!! It is such a great feeling that everyone should experience. Okay, go try something new this week! And keep trying until you've got it.... even if it takes a year... or five years. :)

Here's a great beginning - feel fantastic - yoga video, if you want to give it a try.

My current goal: Grasshopper Pose

I'm getting there!

Your yoga for today

And more poses every beginner should learn. These are two of my favorites. :)

For the days when there's just not enough time

Today has not gone as planned. By the time I was ready to work out there wasn't enough time!  That's why I found this sweet little video. Beginners will probably need to modify some of these moves. Gotta love Tony Horton!

P.S. I found Tony's youtube channel today! (Not sure why I never looked before.) I haven't had time to look around much, but I'm pretty excited. I like the short video that popped up when I first went to the site... great thoughts about making exercise work for you. Check it out here.

Arms, Booty, Core

OUCH! These are all labeled as beginner, but I'm thinking that's not really so. Plus she manages to stay perky through the whole video. Impressive. These are simple but very effective workouts. Good ones to build into your routines two or three times a week.

I did these with a jog outside today. There's a chance of rain and it's beautiful, not to mention the fantastic smell of the desert on a rainy day. Oh happy me. :)

*Form is important. If you can't do the exercise with the correct form, then modify to avoid injury.*