Finding an activity or sport that works for you

As you know, I've been doing a 30 day yoga challenge.  To recap briefly, I committed to doing 1 hour of yoga every day for 30 days.  I programmed in 2 off-days within that 30 days as well.  Well, I am coming off of 2 days of rest and I have to say that I really missed my yoga workouts during those 2 days.  I didn't plan to take either of them off, but my schedule just demanded it... so now they're spent and I am set to go the next two weeks straight with no days off.  And actually, I am pretty happy about that. 

Here's a good question.  How do you know when you've found the Right exercise/activity/sport?  Well, my best guess would be when you get to a point that you are bummed out when something keeps you from it.  Or when you actually look forward to doing it every day (or however often that particular activity warrants).  Honestly, if you would have asked me 3 months ago if I thought there was ANY activity or exercise program that I would enjoy that much - I would have said No Way.  Did I believe there were things out there that I could tolerate?  Sure.  Did I think there might be one I'd like well enough to stick with it fairly consistently?  Yeah, probably.  But one that I would love this much?  Nope... not a chance.  I have very happily surprised myself.

Have you found something you like that much?  If so, please share what it is!  If not, maybe we can sort it out together...

Here are some things I did at first to think of different activities that would provide some physical activity, working with my personal limitations (knee, back and neck stuff) while still being enough to at least tone and keep my body moving.  Any weight loss would be a bonus but was also a desire for the short term.  Once I get to a comfortable weight (for me - not based on some doctor's chart), then I want a program that I can maintain for a long time.

I got my pen and paper, because I like that tactile way of doing things (but you could certainly do it on your ipad, laptop, computer or whatever), and starting listing things as possibilities.  Now, I did mine in list form, but recently, I was introduced to Mind Mapping which would be an awesome tool for this as well.  You can find information on that HERE. 

Some of the things I had on my personal list were yoga (obviously), walking, hiking, elliptical, dance, bellydance, irish dance, kickboxing (always wanted to try this) and circuit training.  After I had this initial list, I made columns to the side for checkmarks and notes.  Some of these columns were:
1. Does it depend on the weather?  (hiking would get a check mark)
2. Could it stress my injuries too much?  (kickboxing and irish dance)
3. Do I dread this? (circuit training got a big X on this one)
4. Is it something I can see myself doing several times a week?
5. Is it something that I can do as I age?

Once I'd laid that all out, it was easy to see that there were a few that stood out as good possibilities.  The top choices were:
Elliptical, Walking, Dance and Yoga. 
So with that, I tried a week's worth of each to see how I felt doing them consistently.  Voila, the cream rose to the top.  Yoga is definitely my preferred method of activity.  I also found that I liked the elliptical for getting some good cardio in 3 times a week and I dance and walk when the mood strikes.  :)

What I've found is, that I had to find something I really liked - if I wanted to make it a part of my daily life.  Activity, along with good, healthful food, sound sleep and taking relaxing time for yourself is crucial to well-being.  If you aren't active, you probably aren't as healthy as you could be - even if you're doing all the other things 'right'.  Finding something you love goes a long way to ensuring that you'll actually Do it. 

If you haven't found that thing you love yet, try mind-mapping, or just listing out some options.  And be sure to think outside the box!  There are lots of things out there - especially if you include group classes as well!  Be creative and find what works for you!  I did - and I couldn't be happier about it!

Best Wishes of Wellness!

Expand my garden or buy from a CSA...

I have been thinking about expanding my edible garden area this year.  In fact, I've been thinking about it so much that I already have a plan of how to lay it out and when to plant what.  (big surprise, right?)

But then I picked up a copy of Natural Awakenings magazine and found an article on buying locally.  I had NO IDEA that there was a farm offering the CSA program literally down the road from me!  I'm reading about this farm and what they offer and the thought hit me that I could get my local produce - farmed from less than 10 miles away - and free up my own time (that would have been spent in the garden) for other things.

For those of you reading this who live in Hendricks County, the farm is called Seldom Seen Farm and you can find them online if you click HERE. 

I also really like the idea of risk-sharing with a farm like this.  Hmmm, sounds like I've already made up my mind, doesn't it?

Now I guess I just have to decide what things I DO want to grow myself in my nice little 4 ft by 4 ft raised bed garden.  I used it as a Square Foot Garden last year, but could have optimized the space a little better.  I can also see what things Seldom Seen Farm is NOT going to produce that we really like to eat and let that be my guide. 
Wheels are turning...

Day 5 of my 30 day Yoga Challenge

I can't believe that I waited this long to start a yoga practice.  I absolutely love it! 

So far, I am enjoying a program called Beginners AM PM by YogaWorks.  This program has really detailed instructions on each move and incorporates a nice balance of poses.  I also like that we hold poses for a breath.  After I'd done it a few times, and had most of the moves and the sequence down, I've been able to do more reps of the poses as I am not waiting for her to explain each one.  So that also adds to the workout.  Additionally, I do a few more (I think they are called Restorative) poses at the end of the program - making it a full hour.
 
I watched another 'beginners' program (wish I could remember the name...) but Good Grief!  She never stops moving.  And some of the poses were way beyond my ability level yet.  I was glad that I just *watched* it and wasn't attempting to keep up at the same time.  Not only do I think I probably would have injured myself (lol), but I know I would have gotten frustrated and possibly fell into that negative self talk again - "Maybe yoga just isn't for me..."
So for now, I will stick with the YogaWorks program... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

How's everyone else doing so far?  I know many of you have set your own challenges - I'd love to hear your feedback!  We're in this together!!

Namaste!

30 day yoga challenge

I'm giving myself a little challenge.  It's not too rough because it's sort of what I've already been doing for a few days.  Here's the challenge:

30 days of yoga
Goal:  One hour of yoga every day for 30 consecutive days.
Latitude: can be done in 2 sessions in one day if necessary  Get 2 'off days' within the 30.
Pay off:  1.  Knowing that I did it, which is huge; and 2. Seeing how my health, flexibility, stamina and body shape changes from this mode of movement.

Anyone want to take this challenge with me?  I will be tracking on Daily Mile, but am also willing to track another way if others want to join! 

honoring a plan while honoring your need to change it.

I've always got a plan.  If I don't have a plan for it yet, I've got a plan to make a plan.  But what I am learning is how to be gentle with myself when my plan gets stagnant, altered or thrown out the window.

When I embarked on a committed journey to my wellness, you guessed it, I made a plan.  With the help of a wonderful friend, that plan got further organized.  It was beautiful to see my plan on paper.  I could visualize the changes I was making and felt like I had a great vehicle to get me where I wanted to go.  I still believe all that - nothing has changed.  However, I have recognized that the organizational process - for me - can become a shadow.

An example of this would be when I hit a road block in the *plan*.  Let's say for instance, that I have a plan to exercise X amount of times per week.  If I am not motivated to do it and ignore that goal - or even if something happens that makes me unable to exercise (injury, other commitments, etc), the shadow side of my organizing queen will show up.  This shadow manifests in the Going Back to the Drawing Board syndrome.  If I reach a hiccup, roadblock, etc., instead of picking up where I left off, or working my way around it, I'll take that opportunity to stall out and tell myself that the plan wasn't right.  Then time and energy (that could have gone towards exercising) goes towards more planning and organizing...making a better plan this time that anticipates all potential road blocks.  (riiiight!)

So here I am, about 2 1/2 months into my wellness plan and 2 weeks ago, I began to find those escape hatches.  Cause, you know... exercising isn't much fun anyway... and it takes time.... and it's a lot of work, and I have an injury on my foot, blah, blah, motherfuckingblah. 
*Now... in my defense, I will say that in that time period - it was a time of major inner work regarding shadow and confronting it... so no wonder this issue reared it's ugly head at that time!  At this point - emerging into the light - I can see it for what it is ~ Clearly.

So, I allowed myself those excuses and basically stopped exercising completely.  This time, I just ignored the fact that I had a plan in place at all.  Then, a few days back, I decided to review what goals I had made and the plans for getting there.  When I re-read the goal (and subsequent projects and action steps) of exercising regularly, my shadow kicked in.  I told myself "Well, this plan obviously didn't work!  Guess it's back to the drawing board to create a new plan that will fix everything."  Uh huh.

Almost literally as soon as that thought entered my head, I had the clarity of what was going on.  I was about to tie up all that energy and time into re-organizing a plan which was already exactly what it needed to be... I just needed to pick it back up and get moving again. 

I took another look at what I'd set out for myself (the original plan), got focused on it and closed the laptop. 

So...now I am back to another stall-out point for me which is What to do?  I can get caught up in this too and tell myself that I don't like any of the options, so I'll just go meditate, or journal or do laundry ... or anything but exercise.  This limiting belief is getting on my nerves.  So, I summoned the fire in myself and asked what was one thing that I had been telling myself that I couldn't do.  Yoga!  I've told myself for years that it's just not something I can do.  Here's some of the limiting beliefs I have around this.

1. I'm not flexible enough to do the poses.
2. I'm too tall or more importantly, my legs are too long.  (for instance, I can't properly do the sun salute series because I can't get my foot back up between my hands after plank... too much leg, not enough arm space)
3. I don't have enough upper body strength.
4. There's not enough space between my ribs and my hips for some of the bend moves.

When I write these down, they're ridiculous... but for years, this is what I've told myself.  Yoga is just not for me.  But all along, I've been drawn to it.  I've envied all the amazing women I know who practice it regularly.  I have a friend in her 60's who teaches it and looks like she's freakin 40.  Who doesn't want that?  Seriously!

With that thought, I got out the mat, found a blanket, my block and a strap and settled down in front of the tv.  I found a great beginnners yoga program on Exercise On Demand and went for it!  Guess what?  I got through it!  Did I look as graceful as all the people on the screen?  Helllll to the NO, but who cares!  Who was watching me?  The cats... that's who... and they encouraged me all the way.  LOL

Take THAT(!) limiting beliefs~!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I've learned

I've recognized another way in which I set expectations on myself to follow the plan or throw it out the window.
I've seen how my limiting beliefs can stall me out, allowing me to sabbotage my work.
I've gained clarity about my process and how I need to be gentle with myself when the plan needs a little altering - even if only for a day or so.

And now, I'm off to do some yoga. Namaste!

photo: Free Stock Photos

A conversation with Dandelion

Yesterday, I drew the "H" rune in my daily blessing.  The H being Herbal Allies, I did a short meditation to see what herb had a message for me.  Almost instantly, the Dandelion appeared.  I received a few insights about liver health and general wellness, but had the feeling that I needed to go a bit deeper to see how this herb would support my health.  I decided to employ the tool of the Doorway meditation (which can be found in Avalon Within by Jhenah Telyndru) to see what other info Dandelion had for me.

Within this meditation, I was shown the entire plant, but then focused on the leaves.  I kept hearing the word "sharp" and kept seeing the pointed (toothed) leaves of the dandelion.  I received the message that there was healing in the sharpness.  I also saw (within the doorway work) 2 books which I currently have.  One was Greens Glorious Greens! by Johnna Albi and Catherine Walthers and the other was Healing Wise by Susun Weed. With these two books coming to me in meditation, I knew that there was healing through cooking the greens and also that the plant itself had much to tell me!

I pulled them both off the shelves and went to work.  Both books have great information on Dandelion; each from a different perspective, but equally valuable.  In the Greens book, I found many ways to cook Dandelion greens for the maximum benefit and taste.  I believe strongly that the best way we can get the healing properties from our herbal and plant allies is through diet, so finding these was wonderful!  Then I picked up Susun Weed's book and learned all about Dandelion (dent de leon - teeth of the lion) with all it's magical properties of opposition!  Oh what an amazing plant it is!

In her book, Susun actually describes dandelion's leaves as 'sharp' (it's so great when you get that little affirmation on your intuition!)  When I read this, I knew that part of what I was to learn from Dandelion was in the sharpness of it's taste and disposition. 

Dandelion leaves assist with circulation, lymph, kidneys, digestion and absorption of minerals and vitamins that the body needs.  These all contribute (or lack thereof) to Restless Leg Syndrome in my particular case.  I have a theory about what is causing the dis-ease in me, but I won't go into that here.  The positive thing is that I believe I've found my first ally to getting my body to move the vitamins, minerals and hormones required for healthy rest to the appropriate places. I have a lot more to learn about Dandelion, and I intend to have one-on-one conversations with it in the near future!

For the first time since I became a home-owner, I am eagerly waiting the spring shoots of this sunny weed to peek above the soil line!  I may even set aside a bed in the garden just for Dent de leon!  So before you go toting the round-up or grabbing the weeder, do a little research on this wonder-plant - you may need it too! 

Resources:  Avalon Within, Jhenah Telyndru; Greens Glorious Greens, Johnna Albi & Catherine Walthers; Healing Wise, Susun Weed - follow links for additional information.

Herbal Allies

One of the things I focus on in a daily meditation is Herbal Allies.  I will spend at least 5 minutes in meditation on what herb has particular wisdom for me/my health.  Sometimes, I immediately get an impression of a specific herb and other times, I am drawn to other sources to see which one wishes to speak to me.  Today, I was drawn to a board game I have called Wildcraft: An Herbal Adventure Game. 
I pulled out the deck of herb cards and shuffled them until I felt the right card was on top.  The card that presented itself was Cattail; typha latifolia. 

I know N.O.T.H.I.N.G. about typha latifolia.  From the game, I gather that it can stop bleeding and has something to do with hunger... but nothing else on my cursory flip through the info.  So, I pick up a few books (well, maybe a lot more than a few) and start looking for info.

(Do you remember the beginning of this post when I talked about Meditating on my herbal ally?  Yeah, well, that thought escaped me for a while) 

I found about Zero on this herb in the (probably) 8 herbal books I looked through and was thinking "what the hell is this card doing in that game?  It's a game for helpful herbs!"  Then I picked up one of my favorite books on herbs in Wales called Flowers and fables; A Welsh Herbal by Jocelyne Lawton.  It's actually IN There!  So...ok, this is an 'herb' that the Welsh apparently found useful, so I'll investigate. 

There wasn't much in medicinal usage, but there was quite a bit of folklore - which although interesting, didn't really have anything to do with my health.  The 'other uses' listed were of things like using the down as stuffing for mattresses and using the leaves as fillers in between boards to make a vessel leakproof.  In addition, the herb is planted in wetlands management to restabalize marshes and increase the diversity of species. 

"Ok...whatever... what does this have to do with me?  I am going to have to meditate on this to see what I get."
OOHHHH.... yeah..... that's what I was supposed to do all along....  DUH.

As it turns out, Cattails, being aligned as water of earth, hold water in.  In medicinal use, it is used to stop bleeding... duh... holding liquid (water) in the body (earth).  In the marshes, it's used to stabalize the land (earth) to hold water. 
What does this tell me?  Upon meditating on this question, I realized that I am still dehydrated.  I am not getting enough water.  Cattail medicine tells me that my body (earth) needs to contain more water.  I need to hydrate; with Water as well as green tea and juices.  When my body is HYDRATED, I only FEEL hungry when I actually AM hungry!  Oh....there's the tie to hunger!

In this particular case, I don't need to make a tea or tincture or anything else out of cattail, it's enough to understand how she works energetically with my health.  But I will look into the herb a little more closely - because who knows... there's always more to learn~