Monday, March 17, 2008

Yoga Day

I had a fabulous day of yoga yesterday. As most of you know i have an amazing passion for my yoga practice. if i don't practice daily i just don't feel the same. Yesterday, my wonderful husband watched my son Mason so i could do a yoga class and two yoga workshops. i started the day with my normal sunday vinyasa flow class in a heated room. i love the heated room. i arrive early to allow my body to take in the heat and prepare it for my yoga pratice. my instructor did a wonderful flow series that left me feeling energized and renewed. between this class and my first yoga workshop of the day i drank my green juice (wheatgrass and E-3 live blue green algae) and ate a little bee pollen for nutrients and energy. the first yoga workshop i did was a hip opener workshop. one of the goals of my movement practice is to open my hips. hip openers not only release tension and physical stress in the hips but can truly help you to open up and release mental and emotional stress. they are a great practice for most people. next i did a pranayama (breathing) workshop. I love slowing down and focusing on my breath for two hours. with a 17 month old i rarely get to do this. i practice pranayama regularly but not for two hours straight.
as much as i love being a teacher i also love being a student. i will be a student for life. being a student for life makes me a better teacher.
Take the opportunity to do various workshops and experience different instructors and techniques.

Live each day with a beginner's mind. See everything through a child's eyes.


kelly

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

What's New

Sorry about the time away from blogging. I'm back and ready to catch you up. I love this time of year. Spring is coming and we have more daylight hours to enjoy. I moved my studio/practice to Bethesda, Maryland at Balance Studio. It is a wonderful place to practice. It is open and fresh and everyone has great energy. Plus, it is two minutes from my house. I lease a private office and have access to all the pilates and gyrotonic apparatus and the open yoga rooms. It is perfect for my holistic approach to practicing.

In regards to my own wellness i've been working on simplifying my own daily food intake. Digestion and assimilation are key to long-term health. the more pure and simple your food and meals the better. i've been paying more attention to specific combinations and following the food combination rules more. i have experimented with combinations and know what works best for me. when i keep it simple i feel better and have increased energy. Lately this is what i've been doing:
wake
b-complex, MSM
elliptical intervals 30 minutes
yoga/stretching
set intensions for the day
2 oz wheatgrass, approx 1/4 cup E-3 live
get ready
mono fruit (mixing different types of fruit does not work for me): i alternate the type of fruit each day- papaya, apples/pears, berries, watermelon
DHA, pre/post natal multi, D3
probiotic, digestive enzymes
green juice- approximately 2 16 oz servings made of: celery, cucumber, spinach, cilantro, kale, swiss chard, parsely (i've been only doing greens and not mixing carrot or apple or adding too much stuff. This works better for me. I feel cleaner and more energized).
last meal options:
-green salad and sprouts with apple cider vinegar and hemp oil wrapped in nori roll with a few of lydia's organic crackers (somtimes i add avocado and sundried tom to the salad)
-nori roll with sundried tomato pate, sprouts, cucumber (these are sooo yummy) (sometimes i add avocado)
-nori/lettuce roll with sundred tomato pate, tahini, sprouts, cucumber
finish eating by 6 ( i used to make it a rule to finish eating by 7 but i feel better if i do it earlier so i changed this to 6). This gives my body time to digest food before it is time to rest and rejuvate with a great night sleep.
no tv before bed. i would occasionally click the tv on prior to going to bed. i have found if i get into bed, read briefly on a topic that i thoroughly love and do some deep-breathing exercises i get a better night's rest.

i'm still working on simplifying my evening meal. I've been feeling great with my new daily rituals. i also do yoga classes, pilates and gyrotonic exercise each day. nice days i go for long walks/hikes with mason or play outside with him. i try to get outside as much as possible. i really look forward to spring/summer and being able to be outside all day!!!

have a wonderful day. kelly