Teacher Training Weekend 1

 

Wow…where to start. I’m not sure I can do justice on the weekend with words. I really don’t want to write too much about my yoga teacher training until the end; the training is a journey, and I want to respect that process. At the same time, I want to remember and reflect on my experience, thus far.

The weekend was in essence, POWERFUL. It was long, intense, a bit scary, and tiring, yet I left feeling exhilarated, alive, and with so much energy! Or was that all the City Java coffee we were drinking and loving? :)
 

In two days, I practiced hours of yoga, meditated, reflected in my journal, spoke authentically about myself to 53 other trainees, practiced teaching Integration and Sun Salutations, had a dance party, laughed a lot, drew closer to a few really amazing girls, drank wine, committed to letting go of worry, and left my favorite Beaufort feeling incredibly inspired and grateful for all that the weekend had to offer.

Here are a few points from our teachers, Shelley and Mark, which really landed with me:

Growth happens outside of our comfort zones.

Loving someone else means not giving up and fully supporting them WITHOUT expectations.

Become a possibility junkie!

The ONLY thing standing between me and what I really want from life (the goals I’ve set, the adventures I dream about, the mom and wife I want to be) is me. That’s it.

I can’t wait to see what the remaining seven weekends are all about. If this weekend was any indication, the possibilities are limitless and BIG. Now, I’m off to start my load of homework.

Valentine Muffins

Happy Valentine’s Day! My how things have changed.

What seems like a life time ago, my best friends and I used to dress in all black and go out in Athens on this “dreaded” day. Remember that, girls? Now I’m home in heart PJ pants, making home-made Valentines with my little boy, while heart-shaped muffins bake in the oven.

The following conversation happened yesterday, with my sister.

Sissy: “I didn’t get Wills anything for Valentine’s Day, but I am making some Red Velvet Cupcakes to share with y’all.”

Me: “That sounds great. You don’t need to get him anything. You do so much for him already. Oh, and I decided to bake some muffins for Valentine’s Day, too. I will bring some over. I am going to try to make them with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, fresh fruit, and applesauce in place of butter.”

Silence.

Then hysterical laughter from both of us.

Sissy: “Maybe you should just eat the Red Velvet cupcakes.”

Maybe so. But, I made my muffins anyway. And for the record, Wills loves them, and continues to say “More. More.” Thank you, sweet boy, for making your mommy feel good about her baking attempts. Because, to be honest, they won’t be suitable to give to our new neighbors or take this weekend to share with my fellow yoga teacher trainees in Beaufort. Oh well.

Here’s what I used. I combined a recipe from Eatliverun and one from a clean eating website. I just pulled ideas from both and sort of made it up as I went along.

.

I mixed the dry ingredients together separately from the wet ingredients.

I combined the two and added in the fresh strawberries.

Then I had a really bad moment where I thought I should forego any ideas of cooking and just stick to my simple, forever task of "grating the cheese."  I filled the heart shape muffin tins, that I borrowed from my mom, put them in the oven on 375 and started to clean up the dishes.

Then, I smelled something burning. I opened the oven and saw this.

This heart shaped muffin pan was definitely a heart shaped ice tray. Are you serious? Oops.

I cleaned up my disaster, sent my sister a picture text of the mess my “hilarious” muffins were already making, and prayed the oven rack wasn’t ruined.

Needless to say, Wills and I enjoyed a healthy, not quite delicious, Valentine snack. I am sure they will taste just fine crumbled on top of my Greek yogurt tomorrow morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Quinoa

In preparation for the intensity and long hours of yoga teacher training, I've been trying to eat as clean as possible in an effort to have as much energy as I can. Some days are a success; some days, like Super Bowl Sunday, not so much. Let’s just say I’m glad the mint chocolate chip ice-cream is gone, and I’m not buying any more. :)

Wills and his daddy are excited about clean eating, too. Yeah, right.

Last week, for lunch, I made a big batch of quinoa. I’ve had this box in my pantry aka...sister’s upstairs closet for a while now, and I’ve been excited to try it out. 

I prepared the Quinoa, which was as simple as boiling water. It is very similar to rice, but is FULL of so many essential nutrients, fiber, antioxidants and protein! It is technically a seed, but is used more like a grain. 5,000 years ago, the Incas grew quinoa as one of their main crops. They said it gave “power and stamina to their warriors.” However, the fields were destroyed by the Spanish in an effort to get rid of the Inca culture. The quinoa survived by growing wild in the mountains and was discovered in the 80’s near Boulder, Colorado. It’s a warrior in itself, and I hope it helps me hold my Warrior I and II a little longer.

I sautéed zucchini, orange bell pepper, and spinach in extra virgin olive oil.

I added it to the quinoa and topped it with fresh salsa and plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.

It was quick, easy, delicious, filling, and made enough for the rest of the week. It doesn’t get much cleaner than that.

Finally Moved

We are in! Finally!

We still have a lot of work to do, but it feels so good to be home. We don’t have many interior doors up, trim work still needs to be finished, and we are busy unpacking a multitude of boxes, but we LOVE our new home. 

Thanks to my handful of readers for checking on me.  I'm still here but still lacking cable and internet.  I must say it's been nice to have to entertain each other in the evening, and Starbucks is really nice and quiet at 6:15 while I sit here and write this post.  

Through the move, my yoga challenge has been just that, a challenge. 

Here's an update:

January 9 - 10 sun salutations

January 10 - 20 minute podcast

January 11 - 10 sun salutations plus 20 minute podcast

January 12 - 75 minute power class with Erika

January 13 - Sunday rest

January 14 - 30 minute podcast

January 15 - 45 minute midday power class with Bethany

January 16 - 10 sun salutations

Then it gets ugly.  Don't judge.  

January 17 - January 26 - nothing but moving and unpacking.  I know; I know.  I was supposed to do yoga for 30 days straight, and I failed.  Trust me, I am a little disappointed   But...I did A LOT more yoga than I've ever done before, and I feel great!  

January 27 - 75 minute power basics with Erica

January 28 - 10 Sun Salutations

January 29 - 45 minute midday power class with Bethany (that didn't go so well)

January 30 - 20 minutes on the back porch while the crazy storm was brewing.  It was awesome!

I have a lot yet to say, but the clock is ticking, and it's time to head to work.  Hopefully, the internet at our new home is on the horizon.  Until then, I will continue writing, unpacking boxes, loving on my boys, and practicing yoga.  See you soon.....with house pictures, I hope. 

On my mat

2013 is going to be a challenging, empowering, transformative year for me. Why? It’s exciting even writing this next sentence….I am going to be a yoga teacher!

To be honest, my stomach is in knots, my palms are sweaty, and I am nervous, to say the least.

And beyond excited! The 200 hour teacher training program happens in my most beloved town…Beaufort. Saturday morning, while Wills and I were spending the weekend away, I drove in from Land’s End and took a morning class with Shelley, the owner and founder of Dancing Dog Yoga and the co-leader of this teacher training program. As I drove over the bridge, the morning sun sparkled on the water; I stared in awe at the beauty of the anchored sailboats, rolled down my window, took a deep breath of salt air and knew I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing. The studio is gorgeous, the fellow teacher trainees I met were incredibly nice and welcoming, and I had a comforting presence of contentment and serenity.

The details may be a little hairy. I will be spending one long weekend a month away from my family. The financial commitment is not small. And my arms still shake in a long Downward facing Dog. But, I feel like I’m ready, right now, to go for it. If I wait for the “right” time to be away, spend money, or improve my practice, I will be waiting forever. So NOW is the time; I’m not looking back.

I couldn’t do this without William’s support, and I am so thankful he is on board and encouraging me to take this leap. However, he still cracks jokes (all. the. time.) about yoga, and I’m okay with that. I’m working on him. :)

Shelley’s words really hit home Saturday morning: What would you do if you knew you would not fail? And what are you waiting for?

One of my favorite scenes from the movie “Something’s Got to Give” is when Erica Berry (Dianne Keaton) is talking to her daughter, Marin, (Amanda Pete) on the bottom of the boardwalk steps, looking out into the ocean. Erica is in tears because she’s had her heart broken by Harry (Jack Nicholson), and Marin asks her mom why she is crying. The remaining conversation goes something like this:

Erica: I'm in love. Ain't it great?

Marin: Oh, Mom. I hate this. Now do you get my theory about all this? You’ve got to self-protect.

Erica: Listen to me. You can't hide from love for the rest of your life because maybe it won't work out... maybe you'll become unglued? It's just not a way to live.

Marin: Are you telling me this is good? What's happened to you?

Erica: I let someone in, and I had the time of my life.

Marin: I've never had the time of my life.

Erica: I know, baby. And I say this is from the deepest part of my heart. What are you waiting for?

For me, the connection is there. Maybe I’ll become unglued. Maybe I won’t self-protect and walls will be broken down? That’s part of the process. But, I do believe, as I embark on this journey, and let others in, let yoga in, I will have the time of my life. I’m not waiting any longer.

I started a 30 Day “Light up Winter” challenge with my studio on January 3rd, and just started Baron Baptiste’s Digital 40 Day Revolution on the 7th. I will be writing about my journey and practices through both of these programs, one for accountability, two to remember and record the experience, and three to reflect on the challenges, triumphs and growth that come in the process.

Here's an update of the last few days.

January 2nd – Hour of Power (60 min) with Bethany at DDY

January 3rd – “Light Up Winter” 30 Day Challenge Began – Dave Farmer 20 minute Podcast

January 4th – 20 minute Beach Practice on Land’s End

The view from my mat.

January 5th – Power Vinyasa (90 min) with Shelley at DDY Beaufort

January 6th – Power Basics (75 min) with Erika at DDY

January 7th – Baptiste Digital 40 Days Began - 20 minute Podcast

January 8th – Midday Power (45 min) with Bethany at DDY

It won’t be easy; I may not eagerly come to my mat every day; but I will come. Day after day. For at least 40 days. Through all of this, the 30 day challenge, the 40 day digital revolution, and teacher training, I hope my best self will shine through on and off my mat.

Loving the Outdoors

William had to finish up at our new house, so we can move in next weekend.  I debated the brevity of the trip but ultimately decided to go for it; Wills and I drove to Beaufort for the night!  It's my last weekend off, my parents were there, the weather was beautiful, and everyone needs a little spontaneity in their life, right?  

Wills LOVES to be outside; so, that's where we stayed.  

He played at the fort with Papa.  Which, these days, is the cutest word he says.  He makes a very high pitch sound of Paaaaaaaaaapa.  

We drew with sidewalk chalk.  (Pardon our attire, but anything goes at Land's End.  It's one of the best parts.)

Worked on the fire pit.

And ended the night with a warm, toasty fire.  It was a wonderful get-away, and worth every minute of the drive.

*** Just a quick 15 month update, so I don't forget.  Wills' language is improving every day.  He now says Mama, Daddy, Paaaaaaappa, Ga Ga (Gammy), Dede, Ta Ta (which is both aunt sissy and uncle tone), dog, ball, uh oh, baby, side (outside), Bay, Belle, bye bye, snack, brown bear (his favorite book...sounds more like "br bur"), and my favorite: I love you which is more of "I uv ooh."  It is the best.  He loves to show his belly and can point to his head, nose, ears, and eyes.

He is down to one nap a day.  He sleeps pretty well during the night, from about 7:30 pm to 6:30 am.  Sometimes he wakes up during the night, but is easily settled.

He is still a pretty good eater, but he definitely has his favorites and doesn't really welcome new flavors and textures.  But, I still try.  Breakfast is usually oatmeal or a whole grain pancake with some sort of fruit and milk.  Lunch and dinner range from peanut butter and jelly, ham or turkey, cheese, yogurt, green beans with ketchup, carrots, avocado, Velveeta shells and cheese, grilled cheese, English muffin pizzas and all kinds of fruit.  He loves to snack on granola bars and baby goldfish.  I will admit, I revert to the organic squeeze pouches quite a bit to make sure he is getting enough fruits and veggies.  He loves them, sucks them down in seconds, and will take everything from spinach, zucchini  peas, corn, pumpkin, blueberries, peaches, butternut squash, and any other combo they have.  I love the convenience and the assurance that he is getting his nutrients.  

Playing is becoming more and more methodical.  He stacks cups, organizes his toys in one spot and then moves them all to another, sees what he can fit inside of one object, etc.  We read books over and over...but only certain ones.  He still loves Mickey Mouse and is a dancing machine!  He grabs the remote control, points it to the tv and says mmmmmm, which means he wants music videos.  At the mention of going outside, he grabs his hat and coat.  It's his favorite, obviously.  He is happy, in the sunshine, for hours.  What am I forgetting?  He still loves Finn, the guitar, the bathtub, playing in "his" cabinet full of Tupperware  and brushing his teeth (which he will do the entire time I am getting ready.)

He is one loved little boy and continues to bring so much joy and happiness to us.

Reservations for Two

William and I had a hot date last week.  Four years ago this may have meant a concert in Columbia, or tapas  and sangria at Bees Knees, or maybe, if we were really splurging, a night at The Partridge Inn, followed by brunch the next day.

But these days, our dates are simple, heart felt, and economically pleasing...aka cheap.  We took a romantic drive, all the way.....

To my sister's house. :)

She and Tony were away for the weekend, so we decided to get away too.  We dressed up, gathered our overnight bag, and headed out.  My parents kept Wills for the evening.

And photographed our exciting departure. :)

We shared a few glasses of wine, chatted about all things serious and light, decided on our house and moving timeline once and for all (January 11th is officially the day - woo hoo!), and cooked a delicious dinner.  These simple nights are our favorites.

William whipped up a delicious chicken pasta with fresh mushrooms, pesto, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with a little Alfredo sauce.  

Thanks, Sissy and Tony, for the wonderful accommodations.   Can we make another reservation?