Evolve your practice

Today was the first day of my third 30 day yoga challenge. The first one was a personnal challenge I did with my friend Julie and the second was a fundraising challenge. This one is a studio challenge. Pure Yoga Ottawa, my home away from home, is hosting this amazing 30 day awesome-fest.

To make the rest of my challenge feel easier, I started off with the hardest yoga class ever. Ever. Ok, maybe it wasn’t that hard, but I haven’t done yoga in weeks because I was sick, and it was super humid on top of being hot, so it probably felt harder than it was.

Anyone who thinks yoga can’t be a cardio workout should talk to Amber. We did about a million warrior one-chaturanga-updog-downdogs, quite fast and timed to some awesome upbeat music. If it wasn’t for the music and the fact that there were other people around, I might have curled up in a little ball and passed out.

After class, there was a little presentation for all the challengers. We got to hear a naturopathic doctor speak about nutrition and how to stay healthy and hydrated during the challenge. She also gave us a gift certificate for either a naturapathic visit or a massage/salt scrub/acupuncture combo. I’m probably going to go with the massage combo, it sounds amazing!

We also had a massage therapist talk to us about how to assess our bodies and prevent injury. It was all great information. Then we all took a picture together. I’m in the front row, third from the left.

Amber and Jen, the owners of the studio, gave all us challengers awesome goody bags! There was a tank with “evolve your practice” which is the studio’s new tagline. Also, a water bottle, some electrolyte drinks, a power bar, a lululemon headband, a voucher for free tea, yoga tune up balls, mat cleaner and other fantastic goodies!

All in all, it was a great start to a 30 day challenge! I’m looking forward to the next 29 days!

Five more minutes

You know that feeling you get in the morning, when your alarm clock goes off, and you’re nice and cozy under the covers? You just want five more minutes to enjoy that fuzzy feeling. That’s how I feel about my friend Ichih’s yin class. I just want more.

I haven’t done yoga in over a week, due to a pain in my neck. A few years ago, I fell on the ice and hit my head. Ever since then, I’ve had neck issues. I saw an osteopath a couple of years ago and I didn’t have any major issues for a while. However, last week, it felt like my head was attached to my neck with one very large, very painful pin. I saw a massage therapist on Saturday and he fixed me, so I was good to go for yoga tonight.

Yin works with three principles: finding your edge, stillness and time. I can usually get two of of three pretty easily, but there’s always one that’s just harder to deal with. Funny thing is, it’s not always the same one. Sometimes, I find my edge and I’m perfectly still, for about 14 seconds. Other times, I am still for as long as I need to be, only I’m holding back a little, staying where it’s easy and comfortable. What can I say, I’m a work in progress.

Tonight, we did cat’s tail. I enjoy this pose because I get a stretch in more than one place. Also, it feels really good to come out of it, which is sometimes better than the actual pose!

First, we started off in “watching tv” pose. Don’t mind my messy hair and scary eyes. I tried to get the red-eye out, but it left me with alien eyes.

Then, we flicked up our “tail” and held on to it.

You could stay here, or you can turn the pose into a twist. (Still holding on to your tail.)

This was just one of the amazing poses we did. How can you not want more of this? When I was savasana-ing, I almost fell asleep. Happy fuzzy yoga brain. Namaste.

Winter cottage life

You know you live in Canada when you say “It’s only minus 18 degrees outside, let’s go for a walk!” (For my American readers, minus 18 degrees celcius is 0 degrees Fahrenheit.) It was cold all week. And I mean cold, even for Canadians. The temperature was around minus 25 all week, with a wind chill making it feel like minus 30, and colder! Like most people, I spent a lot of time indoors.

I had a weird neck issue all week, so I couldn’t even do yoga. I finally went to see a massage therapist on Saturday, and I am happy to announce that I can now turn my head from side to side without making an “ow, this hurts” face. I felt like a robot all week, turning my whole body to talk to people. I don’t think the cold helped my neck at all.

I had planned to go to a yoga class this morning, then out to brunch with a friend, but decided yesterday to cancel, fearing that my neck might not be ready. I was right. I have mobility, but I feel like I got run over by a truck.

So, yesterday, after deciding to go yet another two days without yoga, I went to visit some friends at their cottage. I was planning on staying for dinner, then coming home, but since I had canceled my yoga date, I stayed overnight.

We had homemade pizza and apple pie, then played a game of “Name the country’s capital” (Yes, we are dorks.) It was hard. I’m not as smart as I thought I was.

This morning we went for a walk, since it was so mild out. (And by mild, I am referring to the -18.) I had my new camera with me and I was on the lookout for photogenic trees, as my assignment for my photography class was to take a picture of a tree. I wanted a picture where the tree was in focus, but the backround was blurry. This one is my favourite.

I was on the roof when I took this picture. It was nice and sunny, so we hung out for a while.

I’m also really happy with this picture. It’s pretty and it looks the way I wanted it too! I love that I’m starting to figure this out.

All in all, it was the perfect winter weekend, even with my sore neck and cold weather. There’s always fun to be had, pictures to take and people to laugh with. Winter’s meant to be enjoyed. Next up, skating and snowboarding!