What the World Needs Now…

After class on Sunday I actually thought twice about blogging about it. The class was so transformational and inspiring that I felt like I would be rubbing it in to those who were not there. After thinking though, I realized that was dumb thought, and even though not everyone was physically at the class, the general theme and message could still be spread in so many ways. This blog post is one way. What was special about this class wasn’t the studio, or the teacher, or the sequence (although these things were special), rather it was the purpose. The purpose of this class was to raise money for Half the Sky. Jene Rossi, the teacher and organizer of this benefit class, chose Half the Sky not only because of the incredible assets that it provides to children and families, but also because she and her husband have a personal connection with the organization. They were lucky enough to be able to work with them when they adopted their daughter Willow (my new favorite name), when she was a baby. The flow of this class was a regular Power Vinyasa, my favorite, and I was sweating within minutes. In contrast to my normal spot in the back of the room or against the wall, due to the number of people in class, I was forced to take a spot literally front and center. I was tentative about this, but quickly got over my own self-consciousness. Today’s class also had a truly inspirational playlist, every song having something to do with Love. Side note: Driving to this class I was listening to country music in my car. As you all know I frequently attend hip hop yoga classes, as well as other yoga classes that incorporate music. I was thinking, as I listened to the radio, how I have literally never heard a country song during a yoga class, and how there are so many awesome country songs that teachers could utilize on their playlists. Jene’s playlist on Sunday had a handful of perfectly fitting country songs. How did she read my mind?!?! The class ended with everyone holding hands with the person next to them in order to send energy and love to one another. I am not going to lie, I was hesitant about this. Jen was to my right and I didn’t mind holding her hand, but the guy next to me? I didn’t know him. What if he just got over the flu? What if he doesn’t wash his hands? What if he is super sweaty? I gave in to my own resistance though and took part in this last exercise, which actually turned out to be really powerful. Who knew you could actually transfer your feelings to others? The last song, “What the World Needs Now is Love” by Hal David was the perfect way to conclude a class that opened up my heart to an organization I was previously unaware of. When Jene brought Willow into the class room at the very end I was just about brought to tears. It was so clear that this adorable little girl has so much love in her life, and that she has brought so much love to Jene and her husband.

Yoga class is normally focused on self. We go to class for OURselves. We set up OUR own mat in OUR own space. We are using OUR own bodies and we modify poses in order to satiate what WE need. This class was not about self. It was about others. The purpose was to help an organization that helps children and families. Half the Sky brings Love, something intangible, priceless, and endless, to children and families who are so deserving of it. What I took away from this class wasn’t the half-moon’s or downward dogs, but the desire to want to do more, help more, and love more.

Thank you Jene!

Moral of Today’s class: Sometimes spreading Love to others is more gratifying than focusing on ourselves.

-A

“Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye”

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Lululemon Studio Pant

I have been pining over the Lululemon Studio Pant for months. Every time I go into the store, I pick them up, look at them, sometimes try them on, and then put them back. They are fairly expensive, and I know I would probably not wear them to a yoga class, but they are just so darn cute! The other day I was at Tabata at Equinox Franklin St. taught by my favorite teacher ever Shandell Raposa. She teaches a lot of classes at Equinox, mostly cardio classes, and has an ability to make them a blast! Even though I am ready to puke after every class because of the amazing workout she is able to provide in a short time, I am always left  exhilarated for the next class I take with her. Anyways, Shandell was wearing the studio pant the other day and they looked awesome! Granted she is in perfect shape, but still. The one debate I was having with myself was whether or not I should get the lined or unlined version of this pant. I asked her about it after class and she said she has both but likes the lined version because they sort of “smooth everything out”. When I went to the store this weekend the lined were sold out. Typical. I am a person who craves instant gratification so I decided to get the unlined. I figured these would actually be better for me because most likely I will be wearing these pants over my Wunder Under Crops, and then taking them off once I get to class. It is safe to say I am sooo happy with these pants. They are cute, hip, very flattering, and a change up from the normal Groove Pant that I often gravitate towards.

-A

and his heart grew three sizes that day…

On Sunday I attended a yoga class that was organized to benefit a charity called half the sky.  This organization works with children in Chinese Orphanages to ensure every child knows their life matters to someone.  The class was led by Jene Rossi and was taught at Prana Power Yoga.  I went with a friend because she had mentioned it to me and it sounded like a nice thing to do.  I typically do not practice yoga on the weekends, because that’s my family time, but this seemed like a good reason to make an exception.  I got to class with very little to no expectations of what I might receive.  I went there to give.  I donated my twenty bucks and unrolled my yoga mat and waited.

Jene proceeded to lead the most heartfelt yoga class that I may have ever attended.  The class was composed of several heart opening sequences and the music was so very carefully chosen.  At one point during the class, she had us all hold hands at another we literally all sang, eyes closed the lyrics to “what the world needs now is love” by Hal David.

Although these things were a tad alternative and not what I am accustomed to practicing in a yoga class, I swear that when I left class that day, my heart felt three times it’s size.  This feeling has lasted several days and was such a gift to receive.  Thank you Jene and good luck drawing support for such a beautiful charity.

-J

what’s your excuse?

I saw this image this morning and had to laugh out loud.  I’ve just returned from a short vacation in the sun and cannot go to yoga.  My excuse?  I literally dropped a full bottle of beer squarely on my pretty painted yoga toes and have managed to bruise my big toe pretty badly.  So my excuse for not going to yoga today is not printed on this pretty little lulu bag, but is thus.  I cannot go to yoga today because I dropped a bottle of “merriment” on my foot (see above).  Join us today and share your favorite excuse.

NAMASTE

Yogi Toes at Target

So I finally caved and bought a second Yogi Toes. If you don’t have a Yogi Toes they are awesome because they keep you from slipping and sliding on your mat, especially during hot yoga. I have one, but found I was washing it after every other class. Luckily I found them at Target for a great price so now I have two!

-A

Yogi Tea

This was the message on my Yogi Tea this afternoon. If you haven’t tried this brand of tea, I suggest you do. It is my favorite and comes in so many different flavors. You can get it at Whole Foods and most other grocery stores.

-A

Pure Potentiality

Wednesday I was not planning on going to yoga. My brother was leaving to go back to college after being home for Christmas break and I had told him I would go with him to Lululemon to pick out a few new things. In the back of my mind I knew there was a 5:45 class at Prana Power Yoga with Jene Rossi , but I tried to forget about this because I knew it was probably not gonna happen. A few minutes after 5 I left work and got into my car to drive home to meet my brother. If you are from Boston you know how bad rush hour traffic is on the Mass Pike, so I figured no way would I make it to a class that started in 30 minutes. I laughed when there was literally not one stitch of traffic. I called my brother to gage his reaction to my potential delay of our plans. He actually said he was working out too, and would rather go later. When I arrived at the studio I was literally the first one there. No, I mean it, Jene had to come unlock the door for me. I warned her that I was really tired. I have been doing yoga pretty much every day since December, and even though my mind and spirit felt energized, my body felt weak. Luckily, I was ok with taking it easy tonight.

The class, per usual, was incredible. My body instantly adapted, and I was actually not tired at all! There are a few things about Jene’s class that I have really come to appreciate over the years. First, she always incorporates a flow. She times this flow perfectly. You are warmed up enough that you aren’t feeling unprepared, yet it’s not too far into the class where you feel you are too drained to move an inch. The other thing about Jene is her ability to make every student feel confident in their practice. Just when I think I can’t keep my leg lifted for one more second in half moon, she tells us that we “are doing soooo good.” This encouragement really does make a difference, and the mental support is enough to keep me going. The physical support that I needed during this class came in the form of a block during bridge. Jene asked us to use a block for our first round of back bends, and also asked us to notice how this support felt. Sometimes support, both mental and physical, is necessary in order to succeed. The sooner we accept this the sooner we can improve our practice, our lives, and ourselves.

During class Jene talked about Pure Potentiality. This statement is one that can be ambiguous, but essentially I took it as the idea that. as our true selves, possibilities are endless. This is something we have all heard since we were kids, and it is a very broad idea to accept. I think it is a relief to know that even if we don’t end up doing everything we want, or at times these desires really might be impossible, we can choose to have faith in this principle of pure potentiality.

Jene is teaching a benefit class on Sunday January 27th at Prana Power Yoga in Newton. All proceeds will go towards Half the Sky, an organization that raises money for orphaned children in China.  I encourage everyone who can make it to attend!

Moral of today’s class: Sometimes support is necessary to both recognize and reach our full potential

-A

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”

-Wilma Rudolph

Deck of Cards

This morning I had about 30 minutes for a workout. Not enough time to get to the gym and back, definitely not enough time for a yoga class, and I wasn’t really in the mood to get dressed to go outside for a run. I thought for a second about what I had in my apartment that I could utilize for a quick and efficient workout. Then I remembered my first ever November Project workout, Destination Deck. If you haven’t heard of November Project you NEED to go on the website to really get the gist of it, actually you really have to go to a workout to fully understand it, but for now the website will give you all the info you need. Anyways for this first workout we used a Deck of Cards as our “trainer”. In this particular workout we did sit-ups and pushups based on the corresponding color of the card (red or black). For my workout today I decided I needed to throw in some cardio, so I made a quick list for each suit.

Diamonds=Burpees

Spade=Mountain Climbers

Hearts=Sit-ups

Clubs= Pushups

For each suit I did the designated exercise for the amount of repetitions as stated on the card (ex. 7 of spades= 7 mountain climbers). Once you finish one card you throw it to the side and pick up the next.

By the end of the deck I was covered in sweat, was out of breath, and had completed a super efficient 25 minute workout!

This workout is great because you can change up the exercises every time and can do it when you are on vacation or somewhere/sometime when you might not have any other resources for working out because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t have a deck of cards? If you don’t have one, find a friend who does, or let me know and I will send you one 🙂

-A

“The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one’s opportunities and make the most of one’s resources”

-Vauvenargues, Marquis

 

quick & simple breakfast shake

These blender ball cups save my life sometimes… and i want to share a great quick recipe that you can use when you are in a pinch it’s better than eating nothing!

Mix 8 ounces of cold water together with a super orange emergen-c pack

Add 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder and shake!

This is just enough to hold me over until the end of yoga class and can find time to eat a proper healthy breakfast; and, it tastes like an orange creamsicle!

-J