I had a nice and relaxing weekend all by myself. I started running again today. I completed another day of Week 1 Couch to 5K Training. I also bought myself yoga blocks and yoga straps today. I am really excited to start using them.
I would usually spend my weekends going on an adventure, a date, partying, or hanging out with new friends. Yes, I am a very social person. However, I realized that sometimes the only reason I tag along is because I afraid I am going to miss out on something and feel left out. However, I decided to stay behind this weekend and have sometime alone.
I am realizing that I need to learn how to be my own best friend. I preach this idea to other people, but I'm not sure if I know how to be my own best friend. For example, many of my friends have been in and out of relationships for so long that they only know how to be someone's boyfriend or girlfriend. I tell them that they need to learn how to be their own individual and their own best friend.
I decided to take my own advice.
I took out my acrylic paints, a canvas, and my old paintbrushes. I have not painted in over 5 years. Between academics, volunteering, and socializing, I never found seemed to find the time. I finished a painting and will be hanging it on my wall. Its a sign of accomplishment to me. I went to the craft store and purchased a diverse set of supplies that I plan on using these next few months while winter passes by in this small town with one traffic light.
I will pull out my guitar and write a song.
I will make a scrapbook of pictures from my trip to Croatia.
I will run a 5K.
I will stay committed to practicing yoga.
I will learn more about myself.
I will be my own best friend.
I am making a lot of changes in my life at a very fast pace, but with each change, I am becoming the person I want to be. Today, after my run, I felt like I was glowing from the inside out. I decided to go for a drive. The weather was beautiful, so I put the sunroof back and my sunglasses on. I couldn't help but smile and nothing could wipe that smile off my face.
Learn how to be your own best friend and smile.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Yoga and Running
The following information is from:
Yoga and Running–A Good Mix?
Body or Mind–How about Both
Runners sometimes can focus too much on external technique, neglecting their body’s internal balance. Some muscles–your legs and core–become overworked and strained, while others grow weak. If you are a runner and you suffer from imbalanced strength or rigid muscles, yoga will help you get in touch with your body and become more balanced and limber. Through yoga, you can fine-tune your body, thus improving your running technique.
Breathe
One component that yoga and running share is an awareness of breath. Finding a breathing rhythm that works for you is an important part of running. Control of the breath–”Pranayama” in Sanskrit–is also part of the “Eight Limbs” of yoga. Learning the art of breath control through yoga can help you maintain a steady breathing rhythm while you run, thus improving your pacing and stamina.
Stretch
Stretching is an important part of any kind of exercise, but some runners neglect it. Thoroughly stretching before running will substantially minimize soreness and risk of injury, and yoga is a great way to improve your flexibility and learn new stretching techniques.
Finally, learning to hold difficult yoga poses for long periods of time can improve your discipline and endurance while running. In a way, perfecting and holding a Crane or Firefly Pose isn’t all that different from pushing yourself through the last leg of a race.
Yoga and Running–A Good Mix?
Yoga and running are in most ways completely different forms of exercise. While runners usually focus on speed and cardiovascular fitness, yoga emphasizes strength, flexibility, and concentration. Nevertheless, yoga and running can be extremely complimentary. The oneness of mind and body that can be achieved through yoga can help you become a better runner, by improving your balance, breathing techniques, flexibility, and endurance.
Body or Mind–How about Both
Runners sometimes can focus too much on external technique, neglecting their body’s internal balance. Some muscles–your legs and core–become overworked and strained, while others grow weak. If you are a runner and you suffer from imbalanced strength or rigid muscles, yoga will help you get in touch with your body and become more balanced and limber. Through yoga, you can fine-tune your body, thus improving your running technique.
Breathe
One component that yoga and running share is an awareness of breath. Finding a breathing rhythm that works for you is an important part of running. Control of the breath–”Pranayama” in Sanskrit–is also part of the “Eight Limbs” of yoga. Learning the art of breath control through yoga can help you maintain a steady breathing rhythm while you run, thus improving your pacing and stamina.
Stretch
Stretching is an important part of any kind of exercise, but some runners neglect it. Thoroughly stretching before running will substantially minimize soreness and risk of injury, and yoga is a great way to improve your flexibility and learn new stretching techniques.
Finally, learning to hold difficult yoga poses for long periods of time can improve your discipline and endurance while running. In a way, perfecting and holding a Crane or Firefly Pose isn’t all that different from pushing yourself through the last leg of a race.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
I completed two days of Week 1 Couch to 5K training. I felt great! The workout pushed me enough to raise my heart rate, but it did not push me over the edge to the point I felt exhausted. I even did an hour of yoga after my 2.5 mile run on Sunday. Sadly, I woke up on Monday with a cold and ended up in bed for two days. Obviously, I could not complete Week 1 of training. However, I did complete an hour of strength training yoga yesterday evening since I was feeling somewhat better.
The most important thing to remember in yoga is your breathing. Concentrate on breathing in and out through your nose. This is commonly called "ujjayi" breathing. The length and speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm. The inhalations and exhalations are equal in duration and are controlled in a manner that causes no distress to the person practicing yoga. When done correctly, you will notice a "rushing" or "ocean" sound when exhaling. I stand in the mountain pose for several minutes and focus on my ujjayi breathing. Your back should give you confidence when standing in the mountain pose. Remember to hold your posture and to have the balls of your feet grounded to the Earth. I find it helpful to lift my toes to make sure they are not gripping the mat. Close your eyes or focus on a point in front of you. Clear your mind. Breathe.
The most important thing to remember in yoga is your breathing. Concentrate on breathing in and out through your nose. This is commonly called "ujjayi" breathing. The length and speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm. The inhalations and exhalations are equal in duration and are controlled in a manner that causes no distress to the person practicing yoga. When done correctly, you will notice a "rushing" or "ocean" sound when exhaling. I stand in the mountain pose for several minutes and focus on my ujjayi breathing. Your back should give you confidence when standing in the mountain pose. Remember to hold your posture and to have the balls of your feet grounded to the Earth. I find it helpful to lift my toes to make sure they are not gripping the mat. Close your eyes or focus on a point in front of you. Clear your mind. Breathe.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Happy Belated New Year
I cannot believe it is 2011! Many people begin the New Year with a resolution that they hope to accomplish. With that it mind, many people may call me an overachiever with my list of resolutions. Actually, I prefer to call them goals.
I have decided to run a 5K race this year. I am completing the Couch to 5K training and it has been going great! Check out runningintoshape.com. The website offers podcast for each week of the Couch to 5K training schedule. I run three days a week and on the days I am not running, I have been enjoying an hour or more of yoga. I highly recommend Om Yoga by Cyndi Lee.
The winter seems to drag on forever in this small town with one traffic light. It snows every single week and never melts away. I may complain about the snow and the cold weather, but it is beautiful on top of the Mountain at almost 4,000 feet high.
Before the New Year, I felt as if I was beginning to drift away from the person I wanted to become. After certain events within the first week of 2011, I have realized that I need to keep in mind why I moved to this small town for a year. I want to focus on the next step of my life and what I want to do with my life. I want a year dedicated to enjoying life and being surrounded by friends. I once heard a quote that stated, "Sometimes you have to look at the past to see how far you have come...and to see in what direction you are going." I also believe it is important to keep that direction in mind as you pursue your goals and dreams.
I have decided to run a 5K race this year. I am completing the Couch to 5K training and it has been going great! Check out runningintoshape.com. The website offers podcast for each week of the Couch to 5K training schedule. I run three days a week and on the days I am not running, I have been enjoying an hour or more of yoga. I highly recommend Om Yoga by Cyndi Lee.
The winter seems to drag on forever in this small town with one traffic light. It snows every single week and never melts away. I may complain about the snow and the cold weather, but it is beautiful on top of the Mountain at almost 4,000 feet high.
Before the New Year, I felt as if I was beginning to drift away from the person I wanted to become. After certain events within the first week of 2011, I have realized that I need to keep in mind why I moved to this small town for a year. I want to focus on the next step of my life and what I want to do with my life. I want a year dedicated to enjoying life and being surrounded by friends. I once heard a quote that stated, "Sometimes you have to look at the past to see how far you have come...and to see in what direction you are going." I also believe it is important to keep that direction in mind as you pursue your goals and dreams.
The following is a post from October 2010:
This next chapter of my life has already been an adventure.
My trip to Croatia was amazing, but at times it feels like a dream. Hopping on a plane and traveling for two long days makes it seem like Croatia is only an hour drive away. Why? I have no clue, but I wish this was the case. Some mornings I want to wake up to children laughing in the street and the church bells ringing. I yearn to walk to the Cafe Bar, buy a cappuccino, read a book in the sunshine, and enjoy the moments of life drifting by.
However, I find myself very content and happy here in this small town with one traffic light. I wake up every morning to a beautiful river running through my backyard and a beautiful national forest in my frontyard. I wake up every morning excited to go to work. I go hiking through the forest where no human has stepped foot for years, I identify trees, eat my lunch in the middle of nowhere, and more.
I have decided to make this year about me. What do I want from my life? What do I want to do with my life? At times I wish my decision was not influenced by the people around me, then I stop and think, "Why am I letting people influence what I want from my future?"
This next chapter of my life has already been an adventure.
I have decided to make this year about me. What do I want from my life? What do I want to do with my life? At times I wish my decision was not influenced by the people around me, then I stop and think, "Why am I letting people influence what I want from my future?"
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