More Good Habits

"Maaaa'm! I want to do yoga, too!"

I figured you would all enjoy some Rinpoche cuteness after the first week of classes.

This week I went to a gym class at the USF Rec Center: Muscle Madness! It kicked my butt and boy were my legs sore after. This little guy kept me in check the morning after by making sure I didn't slack on my asanas. This class is definitely one I'll be going to again. Monday night? Sounds like Muscle Madness night to me!

Even though it's been cold, I've been pushing to do at least something each day (this week, I counted walking in the mall as something... it will not be allowed again). Looking back, I need to be more strict with myself about starches and portion sizes. I also need to try eating more frequently which is a challenge Friday through Sunday since I work ten to six those days. I can have snacks if I need to but it's tough when things are actually busy at the store.

I hope your semesters are all off to a good start. Here's how mine is right now: 

39.25" shoulders

33.5" chest

30.25" under bust

9.25" biceps

27" waist

30" belly button

36.5" hips

37.25" butt

22" thighs

14" calves

I'm doing my best to measure myself exactly the same way every time but there's always room for human error. Once I find that darn scale at the gym, I can include my weight to help better associate changes. Or I'll just have to use Publix's scale. 

No workout clothes for this one but, ironically enough, I'm still wearing pink. Alex says I'm going to have that indented V once I kick my lower abdomen's butt but idk. I'm just looking forward to my venus dimples being more pronounced. 

Drop the Bags

From YogaLouStudios' Pinterest

My yoga practice has been doing well. It's the first thing I do when I wake up-- second, actually, to feeding Mr. Turtle and watering my plants. I've started attending a yoga class again and I'm happy to say I found another wonderful instructor. Kristen's class at the USF Rec Center is mostly driven by the requests of students but the compilation works almost seamlessly. If you know me personally, you probably know that the physical aspect of yoga isn't enough. For me, it goes into one's self and helps you breathe in the life around you.
Each yoga instructor has their own philosophy about what yoga does for the body and mind and it becomes more clear each time you attend their class. You can tell by the words they choose and the sorts of encouragement they provide. Kristen's phrase is one that really solidified my liking for her style; whenever we exhale, she says "Let anything go that does not serve you."  She tells us to be in the moment and enjoy it knowing that there is no where else but on our mat that we need to be. Letting go is difficult for many people, but when numerous things pile up that provide nothing but negative feelings, I'm the first to drop it and breathe. Why hold onto something if it causes you nothing but stress? In the practice, you have to let go of all that baggage because it shows through the practice; it holds you back. It may not hold you back physically, you could very well be doing strong hand stands, but you will feel shaky inside if you are thinking about financial troubles on your mat.
I've found it improves my own practice to just let it all go, if only for a little while. That's one thing about baggage-- it's always waiting right where you left it.