Attainable New Year’s Goals

New year resolutions, in my opinion, should not be these grand, unattainable goals. They should be tangible, in reach, doable. 

Happy New Year!

This morning I found some quiet time while my baby was sleeping & husband was home to practice yoga– a short asana and meditation. And now, I feel refreshed and inspired to write about some of my new year goals!

Here’s just a brief overview of them:

1. Be more patient & kind–especially with those closest to me!
2. Practice yoga more
3. Meditate
4. Get outdoors more
5. Dance often
6. Sleep more
7. Clean out my closet & misc possessions
8. Buy less/reduce/reuse/recycle
9. Contribute to our household finances more
10. [Continue to] be a good partner and mom

I’ve gone into the new year with these goals already in progress! They are neither impractical nor impossible.

Some of the things I’ve started doing include signing up for a couple online yoga programs & getting involved with an actual kula (community) on Facebook to keep me accountable. On Yoga Collective (found a groupon!) there are great Baby & Me classes as well as a variety of levels and styles. Another online yoga subscription I am doing is with Karson McGinley. She’s a great teacher and was my main mentor during yoga teacher training. I highly recommend her!

I also started watching a Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. Now I’m going through all my possessions and asking myself “Does this bring me joy?” If it does not, I either donate it or I resell it on Poshmark or Ebay! (I’ve made a couple hundred dollars in the past week! Contributing to finances–check!)

The more difficult goals on my attainable list probably include the sleeping more and being patient. My lack of sleep (baby!) has really made me irritable…for the past year or so…. (I haven’t had a full night sleep since being 3 months pregnant!) So, how will I get more sleep? I figure I need to 1) start napping with the baby and/or 2) utilize my family/friend network more to get things done/sleep more. To make this seem less daunting, I’ll get more specific with my goal. Let’s say–30 more minutes of sleep per day!?

I have a plan, now it’s time to implement it! What are your goals this year? Let’s keep each other accountable!

 

 

 

 

 

Yogi lessons learned: Pregnancy and Beyond

As our bodies prepare for birth, our minds must as well. Yoga is equipped to help with the preparation of both. But what happens when our yoga practice seems to have failed us?

Hello again! It’s been a while.

Since my last post, I experienced a somewhat challenging third trimester and experienced and even more challenging birth and fourth trimester (the first 3 months after birth). I kept up with my yoga practice for the most part as my 8th month approached, but I gave in to the tiredness and gave up on my practice (at least the asana portion) toward the end. I’d like to share with you what I did “right” and what I might have done differently. But, most of all, I’d like to share with you my journey towards acceptance (in theory at least!).

Reflecting back on my last post, I reached most of my 2018 goals! I continued my yoga education–finishing my prenatal yoga teaching certification & completing a yoga adjustments workshop. I became a mommy (a precious, yet relentless job). Chris and I had a beautiful ranch wedding with our close friends and family. So many goals! So many great things accomplished and LIVED.

I am BEYOND grateful for all of these things. I, however, also had my most difficult year yet. Our whole little family has. And somewhere between the swelling, the immobility, the operations (I’ll share some other time!), the sickness, the recovery, and the mothering… I forgot to practice self-care and love. I forgot to practice yoga.

You may be fooled by the photo (which was taken in my second trimester despite looking otherwise!) and think “it looks like you kept your yoga practice up!” Well, you’d be wrong in part. Chris and I finished out our Birthing from Within class, in which we practiced breathing, meditation, and some mild prenatal yoga.  But outside of that, there was a lot of sitting. Sitting and feeling immobile, incapable, and TIRED. I stopped going to prenatal yoga classes because I had no easy way of getting there. My hands were so swollen I couldn’t even close them…so I stopped driving! But, how do you minimize swelling? You MOVE! (and drink water) So there’s a lesson!

Another lesson, try not to be so focused on your positive affirmations that you aren’t prepared for the possible outcomes that are not so positive. I had little idea what were my realistic options in the natural birth room, labor & delivery, and the operation table (YES I experienced all three!). So be informed. Do your research, and then on top of all that, keep to your positive affirmations.

Up to this point, I’ve shared some lessons I learned, but I haven’t gotten to my biggest lesson yet. Yoga and faith. Spirituality. Somehow they are all intermixed. And, all important. After everything I went through (which I will explain in a separate post), I gave up hope. I gave up on my practice. I was almost angry at yoga. I avoided it. If it were a person, I’d walk by without looking it in the eye. I couldn’t believe it had let me down when I needed it the most. Saying labor and birth did not go the way I wanted it to would be an understatement (Hint: I can say “I almost died” without a hint of added drama). So, I avoided yoga.

Yes, my practice–like all practices– has its normal phases. Our yoga practices can be cyclical because our lives are ever-changing. We have different needs and wants at different stages in our lives. One thing I learned though, is when you don’t have the time, energy, or desire for yoga, that’s when you need to practice CONSISTENCY. And, FAITH. Sure, it won’t hurt to take a small break from your practice here and there. But, yoga heals.

Make some time for some meditation, some breathing exercises, some mindfulness, and some asana if you can manage. I can’t tell you how much I needed that healing energy during my fourth trimester! On top of all that, THE PRACTICE OF LETTING GO is key. Release the negative energy, release the trauma. Do not live in the past if you cannot change it. Take what you can learn from it and try to move on. That is the magic of yoga right there!

 

 

Frustrations of a Pregnant Yogi

Expectations can lead to disappointment; Ego can lead to frustration; Struggle can lead to growth. 

I am now 24 weeks pregnant (Over 5 months!). Half of my pregnancy is done and over with. Totally rejoicing here. I think I’ve had a pretty good, easy pregnancy so far but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been without its struggles.

TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST (this is a bit embarrassing), I have only really practiced asana (the physical poses of yoga) a handful of times during my pregnancy!!! Sure, I taught for the first 4 months, and went through the motion of the poses with my students. And sure, I did a handful of poses here and there whenever I had certain aches and pains in my body…but really, my PASSION, my ENJOYMENT of yoga…had been MISSING these past 5 months. It had made me sad, ashamed, and downright FRUSTRATED.

In my previous blog, I touched upon some of the common struggles pregnant yogis have and some of the remedies or pose alternatives. In my own practice, I have been implementing some of those, but what’s the use of knowing those adjustments…when you don’t even feel like practicing in the first place!? Beyond the physical changes and challenges of being pregnant (breathing, balance, strength, endurance issues to name a few), I just did not have the motivation or desire to pull out my mat and practice for more than 5 minutes at a time. My body just seemed too FOREIGN and I was just too tired. When teaching, I began sitting or standing while giving instruction for most of the class. I began to keep my demonstrations to a minimum. It worked out fine, but I just didn’t feel my normal energy towards teaching and practicing and I’m sure my students noticed (I ended up handing my classes over for the remainder of my pregnancy).

This past teacher training at Happy-U Namaste (a lovely yoga studio in Ocean Beach, San Diego) I assisted a couple weekends. I felt so light headed those weekends during the physical portion and so INCAPABLE of doing anything. There were definitely some physical and emotional obstacles there to overcome! (GANESH, PLEASE!) We went over some prenatal concepts at the training, which was a nice refresher for me. But my heart and head just weren’t fully present.

To get back into the swing of things, I knew I had some options of attending mellow yoga classes at my favorite local studio or trying out a local prenatal studio, but once again my interest just wasn’t there. A couple of weeks later, after moving to North County San Diego, I suddenly one day realized I missed yoga. I YEARNED for it. (Maybe it was because I had stopped teaching…maybe it was the change of location and the realization that all my friends were now 30 minutes away…) I researched nearby studios and found a prenatal one with a new student deal. Sidenote: Those first week deals for new students really work for studios!  

YOGA JAI MA. What a lifesaver! My first prenatal class was absolutely phenomenal. It’s strange to describe a yoga class as phenomenal…this one really was though! It was such an emotional journey with practical poses too. We learned birthing poses while chanting, AUMing, and bonding. The experience reminded me of my teacher training. It brought me back in time! I felt so much joy. I purchased the unlimited month deal for new students and now have gone a couple more times and will definitely be back for more. There’s something special about sharing the space with other pregnant women. Something MAGICAL. Anyway, I’m IN LOVE with yoga again.

I guess my point here is that your love/your passion for something like yoga may ebb and flow. Your frustrations, your ego, your struggle may seem like an impossible barrier. Give it some time. Breathe through it. Trust in the universe. Know that if it’s meant to be, you will find your way back!

 

 

 

 

Pregnant Yogis: Keep It Up!

This post is written for pregnant yogis & for those who’d like to understand us a bit better!

First trimester yogis

For many of you a time of excitement, growth, and uncertainty, these first three months are an adventure!

As a pregnant yogi myself, I understand that keeping up your yoga practice can be difficult! For the first couple of months, I struggled to even get up to do simple tasks. I just wanted to sleep all day and night. It gets better though! In a few months, you’ll be full(ish) of energy again! In the meantime, get that extra rest AND try to get up to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. That could translate to a simple walk around the block, an easy swim, or a gentle yoga practice. Each pregnant mama is different. Some of us can run a marathon in the first trimester while others, like myself, have never been able to run a marathon and shouldn’t start now. Some of us need to be gentle with ourselves; others can charge on with their routines and workouts. Find where you are on the spectrum and adjust.

Some common symptoms besides tiredness are nausea, dizziness, and stuffy noses! A lot of the symptoms are caused by hormonal and blood pressure changes. We’ve all heard of morning sickness as a symptom. If you’re part of the majority that suffers from nausea, remember that it should only get better after the first trimester. I was one of the lucky ones who was nausea free for the most part. Instead, I had the dizziness and stuffy nose. I couldn’t breathe through my nose for over two months! (I tried peppermint essential oils, a neti pot, allergy medicine…sadly nothing helped the inflammation and extra mucus. TMI?)

First Trimester’s Yoga Challenges: Pranayama (Breath control), Uttanasana (forward folds), Downward facing dog, Fast movement up and down, Balances

Adjustments: Breathing through mouth, slow up and down movements, and using a wall for balance 

Second trimester yogis

I’m currently in my second trimester and feel pretty good! I have most of my energy back, which is a pretty big deal. I pulled out my planner again and have been motivated to reach my goals. Exercising almost daily hasn’t been difficult either lately. (Edit a week later: But some days, moving is frustrating. My body is growing daily and that is both a physical and mental adjustment!)

Also, my dizziness isn’t as constant and my ability to breath regularly is mostly back. Although I occasionally feel lightheaded during my yoga practice and outside of it, it doesn’t happen everyday now. Keep drinking plenty of water to help counteract any blood pressure changes and to keep leg cramps at bay. Also, eat every couple of hours (I love this part!).

During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, your hormones are greatly changing. Your blood vessels dilate as your body produces more blood. At times, this can make you either lightheaded or heavy with a headache.

Try not to lay on your back for too long! The baby is heavy enough to compress a major blood vessel now when you’re lying flat on your back. I find laying down and getting back up too complicated anyway now, so I choose to avoid supine poses when possible.

Symptoms: Dizziness, lightheaded, headaches, leg cramps

Second trimester’s yoga challenges & adjustments:

Challenge 1: Closed twists

Adjustment 1: Open twists: Twist away from your front knee, find space/ Try a gentle twist

Challenge 2: Supine poses (on back)

Adjustment 2: Seated poses: Try the same poses like twists, side stretches, etc. while seated.

Challenge 3: Balances

Adjustment 3: Use a wall or other supporting device to help you keep your balance while finding the proper alignment.

Challenge 4: On-the-Belly poses

Adjustment 4: Try these poses seated. Cat-cows can replace any cobras or up dogs; camel pose can replace bow pose. Be creative!

Third trimester yogis

I’m not there yet, but I’ve done some research!

Be gentle with yourself. Listen to your body. Your body is pretty good at giving you signs of fatigue and exertion.

Try to keep your posture up! Tendency is to release your lower back because your belly is heavier and bigger now. But, this can contribute to some major back pain. So stand tall, sit down when needed, and gently hug that baby in with your ab muscles.

Last tip: Get plenty of rest. You’re almost there!

Symptoms: Fatigue, carrying more weight, swollen feet/legs, lower back pain, shortness of breath

Third Trimester’s Yoga Challenges: Steady breathing, Supine positions, Stomach positions, Twists, Balances, Everything Else (JK!)

Adjustments: Slow down, choose alternative poses (not on back or stomach), twist gently, use the wall for balances, and meditate often 😉

For more third trimester information, I found this great detailed article in Yoga Journal.

 

Note: I’m not an expert and do not have a prenatal yoga certification! I’m just a yogi who is pregnant, has done some reading, and has attended a couple brief prenatal yoga “workshops” during my generalized yoga teacher training. XO

Unexpected New Beginnings

This blog entry is an announcement! Excited to share some news with you. 

IT’S A PLUM! I’m twelve weeks pregnant! Surprise!

In 6 months from now, I will have a little bundle of love. It sounds so unreal. I haven’t wrapped my mind around it fully.

One day I’m checking out wedding venues with a friend, with a cocktail in hand, and the next, I’m sober with the news of a completely different future. Don’t get me wrong– I am excited and happy. But, there is fear and anxiety that accompanies that joy.

There’s so much responsibility that comes along with the baby. Am I ready for that? I had all these ideas of traveling the world. There are so many countries I wanted to visit in the next couple years– Spain, Italy, Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica…and the list goes on. Now, I know traveling to all those places will be possible albeit a lot more difficult.

It will be okay.

Yoga has taught me to soothe those nerves with deep breaths and a mantra of “I am happy and I am at ease.” It has taught me to adjust with changing times and not to be too attached to one possible future.

Perhaps this is all happening exactly as it should be. Having kids a few years earlier than planned has its upside too. I’ve always wanted to be a Lorelai Gilmore with a sister-like daughter Rory (Non-Gilmore Girls fans please excuse this reference). And although I’m not 16, I am still in my 20’s! ha. (Fingers crossed for a girl!)

I am excited for all of the possibilities. Chris, the soon-to-be father and my fiance, is too. At the end of this month, we will likely find out the gender of our little plum!

How do I feel?

Luckily, I am healthy and also amazingly not a victim of morning sickness! I have just had that constant sense of tiredness everyday for the past 3 months and lately, some dizziness.

My on-the-mat practice has been minimal. I teach 4 times a week and have to be careful getting up and down since that’s when the dizziness hits. I need to find some local prenatal yoga classes. Any recommendations?

In contrast, my dancing hasn’t been too affected by this all! At least for salsa & bachata, there’s not too much up and down so I don’t get dizzy. I am slowly cutting back the hours of dancing since I do get more tired than normal.

Updates with vegetarianism: The cravings have been a lot less frequent lately! It turns out just around the time I starting cutting out meat from my diet is when I became pregnant! I wonder if that has anything to do with my struggles the first month or so???

I’ll keep you updated on the journey ahead.

Namaste,

Lindsey

Aspiring Vegetarian: Week 2

Mini-blog series of a yogi’s journey to become a vegetarian. 

This second week has been challenging, but my fiance and I are sticking to our new “meatless” diet. I expected this journey to have its obstacles, but I didn’t know just how difficult it would be for me! (Somehow Chris is finding this transition easy!)

I’ve noticed that a lot of simple vegetarian meals have bread, cheese, and legumes (beans/lentils/chick peas). All of which are foods that I would have previously avoided because they don’t always agree with my stomach! Bread is fine when I have it on the side, but it can make me feel bloated in excess amounts. Cheese is delicious, but I’m lactose intolerant so I try to avoid it. Legumes are also delicious, but not always digestion friendly. Ha!

This whole week my fiance and I have been eating lots of bread and substitute meat products. On top of the abovementioned problems with bread, it can make me feel sluggish. Too many carbs!

So what other options are there? This next week I plan on looking up more recipes and doing some actual research. This past week, we haven’t been too creative with meals and I have found myself slightly bored with our meals and sadly craving meat a bit.

We have been eating seafood. In my opinion, this isn’t a horrible alternative as long as it’s sourced responsibly and isn’t consumed in high amounts. But I think eating seafood can lead us down a blurry road of what is acceptable. Hopefully, we will gradually decrease our consumption of it!

Because of my personal struggle with this lifestyle change, I’ve reached out to a few of my vegetarian friends to get as many tips as possible. I heard philosophies on vegetarianism range from “eating meat is murder” to “it’s okay to eat meat once in awhile as long as you’re reducing your overall consumption.” I understand both viewpoints.

Just a couple weeks ago I was eating meat with almost every meal. I had chosen to use my consumer power to support organic and free-range cows and chickens in the marketplace. I’m not sure if that was a valid philosophy. I’m not sure if my current one is either. I’m figuring it out! What I do know: my carbon footprint is a little smaller now, a couple more animals are still alive than would have been otherwise, and I’m eating more vegetables.

Wish me luck!

Yoga, EVERY DAMN DAY?

How often do you practice yoga? Do you practice everyday? (I’m far from perfect!) How often do you actually take class?

Finding time to physically go into a yoga studio for your practice can be seemingly impossible at times. There’s finding a class that fits in your schedule… communicating with your significant others, friends, family or whomever that you’ll be busy for the next few hours… then there’s finding clean leggings (it’s a real struggle!). Once you’re dressed, you then have to travel to yoga! For those of you lucky enough to live next to an awesome studio, you can stroll to class, knowing exactly how long the trip will take. If you’re in a different neighborhood, however, you have to account for traffic, parking, etc. I usually leave 30 minutes before class! With scheduling, getting ready, driving, and the actual class… it can take around 2.5 HOURS! That’s a big chunk of the day.

Lately I have placed this going-to-class “production” on the back burner. I have felt guilty, a bit sad, and a lot more anxious because of it!  Sure, I’ve still been practicing asana on my own…but even as a certified yoga teacher, this is not the same as going into class.

There’s always more to learn. And although you can learn a lot from an online class or your own personal practice, it’s quite a different experience from going into a physical studio to be guided by a yogini.

When you go to class, you share a space with your community, your sangha. You join your voice in AUM, you hug your friends, you share a smile with your neighbor, you openly receive kind words and loving adjustments from your teacher.

My reminder to myself (and to you): Yoga happens everywhere. It’s not just asana. It is the stillness between movements, the pause between breaths, the silence between words, the space between thoughts. YOGA IS the quieting, the calming, of the mind. Yoga is reflected in the way we treat others and in the way we treat ourselves. As yogis, we do not have to go into the studio to grow our hearts, expand our minds, and “perfect” a pose. BUT, WE SHOULD. GET. IN. THAT. STUDIO.

My goal is to put my favorite classes in my schedule and just go. Maybe wrap the trip to yoga up with a trip to the grocery store to save on time (and gas). Maybe invite a friend along if you feel torn between yoga and quality time with them. Try not to think of going to class as a hassle or production, but as self care.

Know that if you do not follow your schedule exactly, that’s okay. There’s always tomorrow. AND, you can practice on your own at home for a bit too TODAY! A short practice by yourself is better than no practice. That’s my theory at least ;). REMEMBER at least set the goal to go to class. Write it down (it’s more likely to happen that way!) or tell a friend about it (keeps you accountable!).

NAMASTE.

[Today I went to yoga class at my favorite studio (HAPPY-U NAMASTE) and it felt fantastic. I may have fallen asleep during savasana. RIGHT NOW I’m about to write into my schedule my next planned classes!!! XO]

 

Find Your Passion

In Hinduism, Nataraja (“lord of dance”) is the god Shiva in his blissful, dancing form. He creates and destroys. His dance is powerful.

When I dance, like Nataraja, I feel as if I can create and destroy. I feel powerful & divine.

A couple months ago, I joined a salsa & bachata team. I have always loved to dance. Something about the joy and freedom that comes out of movement. Expression. Heart.

In college I went from dancing for fun with friends to taking more formal–yet still recreational–dance classes. Ballet and jazz. At first, I joined to be more active, graceful, and flexible. Soon, however, my perspective on dance changed. You see… It starts in your core and spreads to your extremities. Like breathing. It’s natural, it’s something so in-our-blood, innate, prehistoric.

Dance can be refined and structured…seemingly detached. But under the surface there are always the stirrings of emotion. There’s an inner child that comes out when you allow your body flow. Boom-ka. Boom-ka. Following that drum rhythm like a heartbeat. It guides us to listen to what makes us happy.

For me, dance has done just that this year. It has filled me with bliss. It has freed me. I am taking a break from data analysis. I am dancing and practicing yoga. Writing. Exploring. I am living. Sure, I still crave a certain intellectual stimulation. (To feed that part of my brain, I’ve been taking computer science courses!) But, there’s so much more to life than sitting in front of a screen all day. At the end of each day, I want to feel happy & I want the gratitude to come easily. I know everyday is different and there are days when it’s more difficult to thank the universe… BUT, I think by doing what you LOVE, you will EXPONENTIALLY increase your chances of being truly happy.

I have chosen to believe in the power of positivity. In the theory of abundance. Money will come if you follow your heart and open your mind. Know your talents & your passions. Find the intersection and your path will lie ahead.

I am so thankful for dance and yoga. Each day through dance I learn how to express myself and be free. Each day through yoga, I learn how to do all of that with love, kindness, & gratitude.

NAMASTE.

Yoga Beginnings

Flexibility and Athleticism

What do you think of when you hear the word “yoga”? Is it a fitness class where you get to wear your favorite Lululemon leggings (or some other outrageously expensive pair!)? When I first started yoga, I was fresh out of college and had just moved down to Pacific Beach, San Diego. My cousin, who lived nearby, introduced me to yoga. She took me to a very sweaty heated class at CorePower. THAT is what I thought yoga was. A place where all the trendy 20-something year-olds went to sweat as much as possible.

My first experience was so challenging, but at the same time amazing. I had somehow retained some of the flexibility I had acquired as a childhood gymnast and felt like yoga was something I was naturally pretty good at. The TRUTH was that I was probably doing many poses incorrectly! I wasn’t focused on alignment at all, but rather on keeping up and pushing myself. That’s how injuries happen. Thankfully, I dodged the injuries as newbie yogi. Whew.

This newbie was HOOKED though. I felt great after yoga– physically and mentally– and I looked fit too!

Not Just for Fitness

Don’t get me wrong, my first year of yoga was awesome. It was a way for me to sweat, and a way for me to de-stress. But, it wasn’t until I moved back up to LA for a job that I started to understand what yoga was. I tried a few studios, experiencing different yoga styles from mellow & yin classes to alignment-focused & strong classes. These foiled the heated vinyasa classes I had experienced.

Yoga class became a mental escape for me. While class was sometimes a place for me to physically exert myself, it was often where I relaxed mentally (sweat-free!).

Mindful Movement

ALIGNMENT. It is so important. Back in San Diego (after my LA job training), I decided to try some Iyengar yoga classes. WOAH. I was shocked at how focused on alignment the classes were. You were either doing the poses right or wrong, with no room for interpretation. I didn’t exactly enjoy the classes since I felt like I was doing everything wrong, BUT I finally learned how to do a “proper” downward facing dog. Took a couple years to get there!

After my handful of Iyengar classes, I decided to continue my yoga studio search in Ocean Beach, San Diego. I mean…I love hippies, the beach, and it was close by. I found my home at Happy-U Namaste.   Their website’s homepage says, “We are a holistic yoga and training center guiding people towards a happier, healthier approach to life, both on and off the mat. Welcome to our community :)” Umm… doesn’t that sound just PERFECT?! Well, I thought (and still think) so.

Finally, I started learning about the roots of yoga– the history, the mythology– along with the other branches– starting with meditation and pranayama (breath control). I was eager to learn more! I eventually would sign up for their AMAZING teacher training (which I will write about in another post!). 🙂

NAMASTE,

Lindsey