Newsletter Summer 2023
Yoga Off the Mat
When was the last time you took a break from the norm? Stepped away COMPLETELY from your standard, your schedule, the “usual suspects” you hang with, the default thing you make for dinner on Tuesdays, your default form of exercise, etc? One thing I love about summer is that regardless of work, kids, etc. there is (to use my teen’s words) a “vibe” of taking a break. Whether that means a swim after work, practicing yoga at a different time than usual, getting out of town to explore or see friends and family, taking dinner outside, saying yes to trying the rope swing, taking a headstand in the grass…..I’m not talking vacation, expense, or significant amounts of TIME. Summer is just a great season to step out of your comfort zone. In your yoga practice, stepping out of your comfort zone can be scaling UP or scaling DOWN. In the same way that you could choose to throw in an extra push it up or take a child’s pose for recovery, consider you could choose in your daily life to scale up or scale down off your mat. This summer I’ve taken a step away from running, and instead I’ve added lap swimming into my weekly exercise. Oh my, is it hard!! AND it’s also been invigorating, challenging in a new way, thought-provoking, and great cross-training for my body. Interestingly, by taking a break and scaling DOWN my running, I have been able to take on a new challenge and scale UP with swimming. In my work life, I’ve chosen to frontload my yoga & leadership work hours to early in the morning instead of throughout the day, resulting in scaling UP my productivity in that window of time, and scaling UP my presence with my kids throughout the day (only one month of summer left, parents…we got this!). The mental and physical results from simply changing up your defaults in small ways are significant in my experience. Let’s be real, the default is the comfy, cozy, easiest way in most cases. When you step away from your default way of being, activities, and habits, even if it isn’t revolutionary in size, it truly can create revolutionary new opportunities, pathways, and possibilities in your life, your body, and your mindset.
UPDATES:
*Fall 2023 retreat - 2 spots just opened up to join me at the incredible Sage Lodge in Pray, Montana Friday 9/29-Monday 10/2, email me directly (and fast!) if you and a friend would like to grab them! More details here
*Winter 2024 retreat - only 3 spots remaining for the 3-day retreat to Topia Retreat in Todos Santos, MX Tues 2/6-Fri 2/9. More details here
*Weekly classes - I’ll be back at Greensboro Power Yoga teaching 2-3 times per week starting August 17. Come practice with me at my favorite studio!
*Fitness Business Advising - I currently have 2 open spots in my schedule for fitness business owners/managers, message me if you or someone you know needs support for their small fitness operation.
POSE OF THE MONTH: Wide Leg Straddle Forward Fold
If you’ve taken my classes before, I bet you’ve heard me use the word “wiggle walk”, “scooch”, or even “slide” (it works if you’re sweaty!) to reference moving your feet out of their default spot in a forward fold. In wide leg straddle bend, first fold forward and get your balance, THEN scale up the pose by moving, wiggling, scooching, sliding your feet just slightly wider in both directions. Even a little wiggle-distance will make a big difference! Activate your leg muscles like you are hugging your skin onto your muscles. And finally, soften your knees!! This will keep the work in your muscles instead of sinking into your knee joints. You get major benefits of release and stretch in your hamstrings, groin, hips, and low back, plus the advantages of going upside down to stimulate blood flow to your brain, & lymphatic system, regulate blood pressure, and build strength and balance. Up-level the pose even more by using your hands to create a bind behind you or with your legs or feet. I’ve been playing with holding this pose for up to 2 minutes (that is about 4 times longer than I would in a regular power yoga class) and taking a new variation about every 10 breaths. When I am doing a little less yoga in summer travels, I make sure to work this pose into my day to get a multi-purpose releasing stretch and inversion. Try it and wiggle wider!
