In honor of National Yoga Month in September, The Yoga Health Foundation has been offering coupons for one free week of yoga at 2,000 participating studios nationwide. Even though I often practice yoga either on my own, through following DVD/YouTube videos, or with the recent addition of Fitness OnRequest at my gym, by choosing one of those classes, I had yet to go to a studio since moving to the Bay Area. After looking around at the options in my area, I decided to try out a place in San Jose called Be The Change Yoga & Wellness. After convincing my hubby that yoga may help improve his constant lower back pain, he has been joining me a bit for my at-home yoga sessions lately. He was interested in coming with me to try a class as well, so earlier this week, we had a mid-week date ... [Read More]
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Labor Day Snapshots & National Yoga Month
Happy Labor Day & September! Besides getting some freelance work done, the past 3 days have been all about relaxation and fun for me. Here are some snapshots from my weekend: Food appetizer dinner night: oven baked zucchini fries (more on these later this week!) + heirloom tomato & avocado bruschetta whole wheat apple cinnamon pancakes drizzled with honey: quinoa brown rice bowl with feta, avocado, zucchini & tomatoes: Chipotle veggie burrito bowl (the closest I get to fast food dining!): Fun Yesterday we wanted to go somewhere to enjoy the sun, but also wanted to take Harley girl with us. We decided to go to a nearby spot we've visited a few times this year, called Uvas Reservoir. I really like the reservoir because it's pretty, dogs are allowed, ... [Read More]
My Foot Pain Diagnosed: I Have Sesama-what?
Happy, happy Friday everyone! Earlier today, I took Harley for a nice hike, and made peace with the idea that it might be the last challenging hike I go on for a bit, because I have some injury news to share.. In the past week, I've had appointments for meeting with a sports medicine doctor, getting an x-ray and an MRI as well, all to figure out what the hell is going on with my foot and calf. You may or may not have read my posts where I've talked about my never-ending calf injury - a muscle I tore 3 years ago and have gone to physical therapy at two different facilities in an attempt to fully recover from it, which I haven't felt like I've done thus far. Last summer, I started to experience some weird foot pain by my big toe. After a general practitioner diagnosed it as ... [Read More]
Book Giveaway – Warrior Pose: How Yoga (Literally) Saved My Life
Growing up with a grandfather who taught (and at age 81, still teaches) yoga, I was exposed to the teachings of yoga and meditation at an early age. Back then, I remember feeling so bored during the meditation parts of class and thinking that everyone was just taking a nap. I was too young for the purpose of meditation to resonate in my mind. As I've gotten older, I've come to learn that the poses and meditation are only two aspects of yoga. It's a way of life that has the power to permeate into every aspect of your world. As Bhava Ram, the yoga guru whose book, Warrior Pose: How Yoga (Literally) Saved My Life, exclaimed as we spoke last week, "Yoga is the greatest science ever created on how to be a human being." Warrior Pose is the story of Brad Willis (whose taken on the yoga name ... [Read More]
My Favorite Yoga Poses
"Yoga is so universal in its principles and so holistically beneficial, it is possible for any person, young or old, religious or agnostic, to embrace and enjoy a practice." - Christy Turlington Ever since I can remember, my grandpa has been a yoga instructor. I used to participate in his classes when I was younger. But as I entered my teen years, I remember thinking that yoga was too boring and slow for my liking. In recent years, I've discovered more challenging forms of yoga that are more my style because they have me breaking a sweat, while making me feel long and limber. I now do yoga a few times a week, and love to practice it on days when I'm feeling sore from my more hardcore workouts. I also enjoy doing a bit of yoga when I wake up feeling sore and stiff, and will do anywhere ... [Read More]
Words of Wisdom + Frozen Berry Bowl
As I just finished a yoga workout a little while ago and am in a yoga-inspired sort of mood, I wanted to share the following phrases that I jotted down awhile ago and find myself constantly looking at. I can't actually remember where I got it from, but I find these words to be calming and inspiring: 7 Zuda Yoga Axioms/Universal Truths: 1.) You are exactly where you are supposed to be. 2.) Fear and pain are life's greatest teachers. 3.) Laughter and play are the keys to the fountain of youth. 4.) Exercise and rest are the keys to vibrant health. 5.) Touch and intimacy are basic human needs. 6.) Everything is impermanent. 7.) Everything is connected. I especially love the phrase everything is impermanent as a reminder to just breathe and keep on pushing through tough times, ... [Read More]