Everything listed under: workout

Ok. This entry was made to go here in April, a month ago. I can’t explain the mental block I’ve had with writing lately, but I am determined to get this to you. So here it is. A month later. Enjoy your workout.

Wow. Has it really been this long since I’ve written a blog here? Why, yes. Yes, it has. Suprising, because I’ve had so much to say lately. Discoveries, revelations, relationships, explorations . . . they’ve all been a part of my many adventures from the past 6 weeks have all from NYC to L.A. to Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Miami, various other stops in FL and now back to L.A. A few more days here until I finally land back where I began 6 weeks ago in NYC. I’ve missed writing. I’m trying to stay balanced through it all, but my meditations have been sporadic and distracted. Which doesn’t make me happy. On the flip side, seeing my nephews, visiting with some of the best friends a gal can ask for, making many new friends, finding a renewed sense of purpose and working on new, challenging and FUN projects has filled me up to the point where I’ve been moved to tears with gratitude and love. So all’s good. For all of this ‘deep’, insightful stuff I have to share, I’ve felt the need to simply tell you about my kick ass workout the other day. I know I typically post a recipe, but I’m going to skip that to outline this routine. First and foremost because I admittedly have been doing very little cooking lately with my crazy travel schedule (Unless, of course, you count the kick ass margaritas I made last weekend for my sis in law’s birthday, which I’m happy to post as well!) Although I’m not a huge runner, doing just that the past four days or so in the heat of southern Florida helped me sweat, detox, and just feel a little bit like me. And all you need is your sneakers, some open space, such as a park,
So here it is:
20 minute jog/run to park

Find two points you can gauge about 20 feet in distance.
Alternate between:
-- Crab crawls
-- High knees
-- Spider Man walks (on all fours, R hand front as L foot steps front. Switch)
-- Awkward Spider Man (same thing but do same hand and leg!)
Go up and back at least once for each exercise, then repeat they cycle again.

Take a breather and stretch.
Now find a stick.
Jump over the stick with two feet back and forth as quick as you can for 30 sec. Rest 30 sec. Repeat 6x. If it gets too challenging, hop over on one leg. 

Time for lunges. Same leg. Lunge front. Step together. Lunge back. Step together. Repeat 10x.
Hold back in a Crescent Pose and stretch.
Repeat other leg.

Move on to core. Do some boat poses, sit ups. Planks. Try this in plank: Bend your knees toward you chest, slightly tucking your hips underneath you, pulling navel back to spine. Re-extend to plank.
Do that 10x.
OOOO, or this one always gets me. Start in plank. Keeping your core engaged and hips up, drop down to one elbow, then the other. Then one arm at a time return to plank. 
Do that at least 10x. 

Now go on. Scram. Run (or walk) home. And don’t forget to stretch.
If you stretch, I’ll write more. Deal? Oh yeah. And drink lots of water, especially in the heat of the summer!

Something has been on my mind ever since I subbed a yoga class last week here in NYC.  I delivered what I thought was a pretty strong class. I am big on technique and proper alignment and to me, sometimes that is a greater challenge than jamming through a sequence of twists, turns and balances.  It was the second time I had filled in for this particular instructor so I saw many of the same people in class I saw a few days prior.  Many of the students enjoyed my class and let me know. It was very gratifying, as it had been a while since I had taught a yoga class. One of the 'regulars' kind of hung around after until everyone else had left the studio. He said thanks for class, followed by a "I just want to  let you know that this class is used to a more challenging workout. They are really advanced." I nodded and thanked him for the feedback and input.  I wish I could say that I didn't dismiss his comment or consider it trivial.  But I did. Especially given the fact that many of the students, him included, were not as advanced as I think they believed themselves to be. 

And then I realized that I was being somewhat hypocritical and how often I want, and often expect, things to be difficult. This has been a particular challenge of mine. To overcome this idea that nothing comes easy. That anything worth doing must be a struggle of some sort. As if the harder I work, the bigger the reward.  So I work and work and work. And wait for that big reward. And rewards do come, but often they are not directly correlated to the amount of effort I put in. And most often, the biggest rewards can not be measured. 

The worse part is that when something is going right and it's 'easy' so to speak, I question it.  Why?  Yes, life definitely presents us with challenges. There is no denying that. But to question the greatest gifts in life?  That's just crazy. And I do it. 

So, if you often find yourself thinking the same thing I present a challenge (!) to myself and to you: Work when you must, rise to the occasions that call you to action. However, know that often, it is more about the intention and mindfulness we direct toward any desire, task, or job that will truly dictate the outcome.  For whatever you want, whatever you desire, whatever you intend, the Universe will grant to you if you are open to it.  No struggle required.