HEALTH + FITNESS: YOGA DAY 3

This week I attended 2 fitness classes. On Wednesday night, May 25th, 

I went to Zumba Sculpt class. Ahhh, this class is powerful! Sweated like crazy as expected!

 It was awesome! The following day, was Yoga Day 3 for me.

 I was awaiting this class all week. Right after work, 

I changed into my "workout" attire, and made it to the 7:30 p.m. class. 

There was a sub-instructor, named Naomi who led the class 

through Yin+Meditation. She told us that there would be no Reiki that night, 

but instead aromatherapy with essential oils. 

 I was totally fine with that, especially with my new found interest in doTerra.  

          We began the class in Shavasana aka "Corpse Pose", laying flat on our backs.  

  This pose helps promote relaxation to the mind, body and spirit. 

 As we continued on in the position, we were told to close our eyes

 and let go of our bodies.  To feel like you are floating.  

To forget everything and just feel the now.

  I was at ease in this class.  I am feeling more at ease being there.  

I felt like I could relax deeper.  Let go of everything even more. 

We went through many other poses.  During one of the poses, 

she came to each of us with the scent of lavender + orange.  

The aroma was calming and rejuvenating at the same time.

 The word I took from that night's class was "surrender".  

To surrender myself to each pose. To surrender myself in life, 

in the times that I need to.  Another word, I took away from Yoga day 3 is "grateful".  

To be grateful for everything.  Grateful for life. Be grateful I made it to class.  

      I had referred my sister-in-law to this studio

 and since she attended, I received referral points. Whenever you attend class

 you also receive points.  I love the incentives of this studio!  

Also, she ended up loving it too!

PHOTOCREDIT: myself 

   

      This week was busy with work and trying to make it to classes after work.  

But it was so worth it.  I feel excited even just planning what classes I'll be taking next.  

I was so excited this week, that I forgot to take a photo before class. 

So here's a couple of photos of me after class.  See you on Yoga Day 4!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                 Photocredit: Imprinted Images

           

HEALTH + FITNESS: YOGA DAY 2

Yoga day 2 down! So last Thursday I made it to the Yin+Reiki+Meditation yoga class.  Ahhh....This class was more my pace as a newbie and I actually felt good! 

                        

          

                                                     PHOTO CREDIT: IMPRINTED IMAGES

       It consisted of relaxing “spa” music, yoga poses that stretched out and challenged my body, and some meditation. The instructor's calming voice helped get us into a state of mind where you just let everything go and be where you are. We also used props such as 

blankets, pillow bolsters, and blocks to help with some poses.

 I felt accomplished and relaxed after the class.

       To top the night off after class, I turned on my doTerra diffuser as soon as I got home. Added in a couple drops of lavender essential oil in it and it just helped 

extend the peace I was feeling from class. 

 I am starting to feel this yearning to keep going. This coming week, 

I have signed up for 2 fitness classes Zumba Sculpt and another Yin+Reiki+Meditation class.  So looking forward to it! Giving myself a thumbs up for last week!=)

doTerra Petal Diffuser

                                      Video + Photo Credit: Taken by yours truly;)

NEW BEGINNINGS COME EVERYDAY | HEALTH + FITNESS | YOGA JOURNEY

     It’s almost half way through the year and I am feeling inspired. Inspired to keep working toward being my own boss full-time + working from home.  Inspired to slow down a bit + enjoy the many miracles life has to offer. Most of all, inspired to take care of me! No one can take better care of us than ourselves. These past few months I have been reevaluating the food I put into my body and the things I can do for my body to make it healthier.  I mean, why not? It is the only body I have, might as well take good care of it right?! 

      As far as food goes, I am currently + have always been a meat eater. I don’t think I can totally give up meat. However, my view on eating meat or “flesh” has become skewed a bit.  Maybe I am getting older, but when I chew a piece of thick steak, I find myself feeling weird about chewing on “flesh”.  Don’t get me wrong, I love myself some, Korean Bulgogi!!! I don’t think I can live without it. So maybe a compromise for my body is eating thinly sliced meat. Hahaha! So that is my little rant about food that I have been conflicting with myself lately. 

      Now onto the topic of being more physically active.. So the past 5+ years or so, I haven’t been to a gym or done any kind of organized exercise regimen. To be brutally honest with myself, I have been LAZY! For my day job, I am walking and on my feet all day, so I made myself believe that I was being active enough. What a big lie I had been living for too long! My body started changing. I can feel the sluggishness, I could feel the aches + pains. I can feel the weight I had collected. More importantly, I can feel sadness + defeat coming over me.  

        People around me were excitedly talking about the work out classes they have been going to. I would hear people say they just got home from the gym, when I’d see them.  I quitely thought to myself, “One day, I’ll start….”.

          I had been kindly given a GROUPON for 5-trial classes at a local Yoga Studio, that offered a wide variety of yoga + other fitness classes.   I placed it on my dining table for about 2 weeks, then brought it to the top of my desk for another 2 weeks. I figured, I would “Get to it soon”. Finally that “one day” came.  I called my cousin to see when she was available to come with me.  My first class was a Zumba class, last week.  It was exhilarating, fun and made me sweat a lot!! Loved it! 

        Last night I experienced my very first Yoga class, “Gentle Yoga"!! First and foremost, I want to give credit for people who “do Yoga”! OH MY GOSH!! It was so hard and challenging. I stretched my body in ways I have never done before. My body did creak here and there, but I survived the class. So here is a photo of myself, right before going to my very first Yoga Class.  

       My goal is to stick it through, the best I can + continue to take more classes.  I signed up for another Yoga class this Thursday, “Yin+Reiki+Meditation” and then Zumba next Monday!  I want to be the best me I can be and give myself more opportunities in life. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope to share many more with you. Have an amazing day!!! 

   

With Love, 

Jen