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Well Color Me Happy; There’s a Yoga Mat In Here For Two

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OOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM………hee, hee.

To Do Yoga Awesome

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Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. It’s good to know, despite my new-found Zen, I can still be counted on for a little immaturity. Yep, that’s right I am peaceful now and represent all things calm, cool and collected…well, except for those handful of days last week where I was a raving lunatic, but I blame hormones for that. Back to my Zen-ness….wait, what’s that you say? You want to know when this sudden transformation happened.

Alright, let me back it up.

It’s been a looooong time since I actually talked fitness on the blog, which is a damn shame. Crap, do Zen folk say damn?  Or even shame for that matter? “‘Eh,” shrugs shoulders. I made no secret July was a difficult month for me. I’m definitely not exempt from the “sometimes life can get a little sucky” club, although I sure wish I had a free pass. If possible, I’d bottle and sell that stuff faster than Kombucha and make a million bucks in the process.

In any event, tough times happen to you, to me, to all of us, and one of the ways I like to combat them is through exercise. I rely on my workouts to clear my head and release tension. When I don’t get the opportunity to get my exercise on, my stress mounts, and I feel like my little head will explode, without all the dramatics of cheesy B movie or my impressive screaming prowess.   

Exrercise Therapy

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This vanilla gorilla… side note: For all you new comers, yes I’m referring to myself as a vanilla gorilla and in the third person, although I’m not sure which is more obnoxious. I call myself vanilla gorilla because despite only being 5’2, or 5’3, depending on that day’s posture, I feel like I can do anything… anyway, I like a good old-fashioned, head-banging, kick my ass, adrenaline rush, and leave me for dead in a pool of my own sweat type workout. It’s a pretty picture, I’m sure.

Sweaty Meg

You can’t tell in this picture, but I had sweat dripping off my chin, my nose, and all possible surfaces. I’m also sans make up. We need more selfies like this.

Then I discovered yoga. The place where people freely pass gas, except me… I would never do that (cough, cough) and sit, bend, or move silently for a consecutive sixty minutes. For someone who has trouble shutting off her overloaded brain and pushing away all of life’s distractions, I love the silence of yoga. I appreciate it more than I can possible express, which has of course never stopped me from trying. The lack of interruptions, coupled with the blissful quiet and calmness of it all, is sheer joy and damned if it’s not exhilarating.   

Park Yoga

Lately, as in this summer, I’ve been doing yoga in the park, where I can get my Zen on among the birds, the bees and any other woodland creature who are drawn to a bunch of people hanging out in downward dog. Not only is the view incredible, practicing yoga helps keep my crazy at bay, which is of paramount importance. I also feel like the Queen of the World (Quick, somebody get me a crown!) after each session and suddenly my daily To Do List seems like it can be accomplished with ease. This is all the more impressive if you’ve seen how long one my To Do lists can run.  

Puma Yoga

Two weekends ago, I was fortunate enough to participate in Puma Yoga’s Six Year Anniversary celebration, where they had free outdoor classes all morning long, great eats, door prizes, and a drumming circle. It was a celebration of not only yoga, but the community which makes it up. At it’s very heart, the event was about people, which is why I chose to jump into the mix and talk to some folks about what yoga means to them.  

Meet Jimmy. He's a n engineer student, who makes fabulous cocktails in his free time, sometimes while in downward dog.

Meet Jimmy. He’s an engineer student, who makes fabulous cocktails in his free time, sometimes while in downward dog.

The responses I got were varied: to have some “me” time, to focus one hour of each day on myself, to physically feel better, to emotionally feel calm, although my favorite answer was from a fellow yogi named Jimmy, who said when he’s in the moment he can picture happy little cartoon birds circling his head, and doing yoga first thing in the morning  makes him good to go all day long (wink, wink). Alright, he didn’t mean the last statement like that and now I’ve sullied his response with sexual innuendos. My bad. 

Jimmy also said Yoga has made him more relaxed than he’s been in five years, which I find immensely appealing. I’d be crazy not to, and since I’ve already got enough of that in my life, I’ve embraced yoga whole-heartedly, flatulence and all. 

Puma Yoga Collage 2

Don’t get me wrong. I still love a good old-fashioned, crazy, balls to the wall kind of workout, but I am also digging on some yoga. It’s made me a peaceful vanilla gorilla and I get the same benefits of exercise without all that jumping around and beating my body into submission, although I still usually end my yoga sessions in a pool of my own sweat. You can’t win ’em all, right?

Do you practice yoga? If yes, why? What do you get from it? If not, would you ever try it?

Comments

  1. I need more yoga in my life… if for no other reason than because I find it difficult to do — which probably means I need it more than I think I do. I’m actually planning on starting the 30 ay Yoga Challenge on the first of September, since Sept has 30 days and that fits nicely in my mind 😉 It’s an online thing where they send you a 10-20 minute video to your inbox so you really have no excuse not to do it… Hoping I can stick with it — hold me to it!
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. spiced greek yogurt applesauce bread .My Profile

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  2. okay that class looks awesome and I want Jimmy to make me a cocktail in down dog (for the record I debated if this was too graphic a statement to share on the internet…)! I used to be an avid yogi and runner and now I’m an avid couch sitter. Walking to the kitchen is my workout…I’m okay with it.
    Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…Hidden Veggies Two-Bite Brownies w/ Caramel Drizzle + A Healthy Back-To-School Menu!My Profile

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  3. OMG, if it weren’t for yoga, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I don’t do it religiously, and sometimes I take long breaks from it, but I would most likely still be in corporate without it. I would never have gone to India, I would never have started 2 businesses.

    Yoga gave me balls I guess.

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  4. I want to do Yoga in the park! So nice.
    I do Yoga twice a week if somehow possible – and before I explain why I do it, I just tell you it’s for the same reasons as you do it. That is so creepy, but I am your groupie, accept it. And maybe also Jimmy’s, if he ever makes me a cocktail in down dog.

    Also, my trainer says my body NEEDS Yoga in order to balance out all the Crossfit and Powerlifting madness – ain’t no one want to see me stiffer than I already am (there is no sexual innuendo behind this sentence, I swear).
    Lucie@FitSwissChick recently posted…Hiking, Olympic Lifting, Strongman Training and PhotobombsMy Profile

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  5. Vanilla gorilla- WORD…it makes me laugh every time! I go through phases with yoga and although I know my body would surely benefit from it, I’m currently not in the frame of mind to practice it regularly. I’m really enjoying my current workout groove…too much to trade any of them in for yoga. Aside from the obvious benefits of stretching out my muscles, there’s something about yoga that is mentally so calming and makes you focus on just the present.
    Khushboo recently posted…How to eat more caloriesMy Profile

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  6. I love yoga. It helps me keep my mind and body connected and I love that for one hour, I can leave all my problems or worries or whatever and just focus on the moment.

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  7. I love yoga, but tend to do it more in the Winter, when the garden and animals aren’t screaming every waking second of the day for attention. I count my wonderful daughter amongst those animals.
    I prefer beginner’s yoga. I’m not doing any handsprings or head stands or resting my belly on some dudes feet. I like to breathe, build strength and improve flexibility, not be a friggin’ super hero. And since I never have time to go, I always stream it on YouTube and take over the living room.
    I’m glad you’re doing it. If for no other reason than it’s good for flexibility and mental health – both things I count as absolutely paramount to a healthy living.
    Lindsey @HalfDimeHomestead recently posted…Good Mama Monthly – The Shelling Beans EditionMy Profile

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  8. I may have to come to your area just so you can take me to yoga and introduce me to Jimmy. Okay there like 50billion other reasons too, but I’m adding Jimmy and his yogi cocktails to the list 😉

    I haven’t been getting to my mat as often as I would like (last week was the first time in a while) so I did what I always do and put it on my list for the day, I figure if it’s on the list eventually I’ll get to it and I know I’ll feel a lot better when I do. Plus when you do yoga at home there’s no one there to notice the gas!
    Sarah Pie recently posted…Slices of Life #14My Profile

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  10. I have been an on-and-off aspiring yogi for a few years, but since moving to Malaysia I’ve become much more disciplined in my practice. I was super stressed/nervous about finding a job when I first got here, and yoga really helped to ground me. As a fellow Type A, list-making, crazy-stressed person, it’s a great source of calm for me (my boyfriend agrees!).

    Life is also a lot slower here, so it fits in well with the lifestyle. I daresay I need yoga just as much in New York, so I’d like to continue my practice in earnest when I go back.

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    • Yoga does help ground you. What a great way of putting it. It really is perfect for us type A’s.

      I need to go where life is a little slower. Or maybe I just need a vacation.
      Meghan recently posted…It’s OkayMy Profile

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  11. I love yoga, it’s the perfect balance with my running. I use it to zen out and stretch out. It’s also good for my strength building, cause I don’t do shit for strength work. I actually farted in yoga today, but it was quiet so..it doesn’t count. I did participate in the “ommm” though and always do, the only time it’s a problem is if I bring a friend, but I think I’ve told you these stories. HA.
    Brittany recently posted…Early Morning ConfessionsMy Profile

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    • You just haven’t met the right yogi instructor. In fact, some say yoga can make men really buff, like beefcake buff, so you should check it out.

      I think post yoga cocktails should be a thing.
      Meghan recently posted…It’s OkayMy Profile

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    • I have only ever done hot yoga once, but I LOVED it. It was fabulous, and apparently I just like getting all sweaty. Who knew? Oh wait, that’d be me. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…It’s OkayMy Profile

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  15. Yoga with a view, that sounds amazing! I’ve never done yoga but it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time. When I’m working out I like to feel like a “beast” and still have fun so I tend to go to kickboxing, body pump and zumba. But, sometimes I just feel like I need to tone it down and clear my mind so that’s why I’ve been wanting to try it…From what I hear, yoga is not as “easy” as it seems. It really helps strengthen your core, seems like a win-win.
    Nathalie C. | Devoted Foodie recently posted…Roasted Garlic & Avocado Mashed Potato BallsMy Profile

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    • I found yoga to be the perfect balance for those beast type workouts. It really calms my mind and makes me feel incredible. It’s definitely not easy either. It’s still a really incredible workout; just in a completely different manner. I hope you try a class sometime soon.
      Meghan recently posted…It’s OkayMy Profile

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