21 Days of Yoga for the 21 Year Old

Hello WORLD!

This post's theme is FEELING GRATEFUL!

Today is my 21st consecutive day of yoga! UNBELIEVABLE. I feel energized and excited to go to class. For the most part I feel amazing both inside and out, however the only downside is my "yoga toes," jumping back into chaturanga is somehow destroying the bottom of my feet...oh well, better a happy heart, mind, and body than picture-perfect feet, right?

People have been asking me, "What are you grateful for?" with Thanksgiving right around the corner. In the spirit of my 30 day challenge and in the moment of being young and alive, I respond, "Health." What I'm really thankful for, if I could put it in more than one word, would be "the freedom to move," "the agility of my body," "for my legs/arms/core..." Without my strength and health I would be a different person. I am truly grateful for the opportunity that my body has given me to  utilize all parts of it and to play with it while it is still young, wild, and FREE...by doing things like this:

Crow Pose

That being said, I have done a headstand almost every day since my first one on my 16th day! Being able to lift my legs from the ground to hanging in the air, without support, again reinforces my gratitude for a core. So the next time a teacher in one of your classes is instructing you to do yogi-bicycles or boat pose-- don't complain. Just be there and do it. Be thankful that you can.

Now onto my week of adventures since we last touched base...

Had work on Saturday until 7, and then came home to a house filled with smiling faces sipping on wine. Unfortunately, I had not done my daily yoga and as much as I wanted to sit and chat, I also was determined to not "let one day slide." My reasoning: as I was confident there would be other opportunities to sit with my friends, drink vino, and chat, I cannot be sure that there would be another opportunity to practice my 17th consecutive day of yoga. With that justification being taken care of, I eagerly laid my mat down in my bedroom (that I share with two other girls) and opened up my laptop to follow along with a thirty minute YouTube flow. I wasn't drenched like I normally am in my regular studio classes but I was definitley heated and happy I persisted. Tried my headstands at the end...somersaulted over twice and successfully got up once. 

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

 Went to yoga on Sunday with a bunch of my lululemon girls! Always a blast...and a sweaty one too. Speaking of lululemon, tomorrow (or Today at this point) November 22, is my ONE YEAR LULULEMON ANNIVERSARY! HOOOORAY! Happy lu-birthday to me! If you don't know about the company-- research it. I'm sure you'll love what you find. Such amazing people with amazing visions, goals, and values. It has changed my life. Here's a quote from their instagram that I liked...

This week, I yet again had only one day of class before going home for the holiday. Turned in a really cool project that I had been working on for a while, a media kit for an on-campus organization that promotes health and wellness-- we're like two peas in a pod! 

Business card, Media Kit with other things included, and my brochure.

Went to two out of my four classes on Monday (oops...senior-itis strikes again!) and then bolted for home! Luckily missed all the traffic. Got home just in time for one of my favorite yoga classes with Jill at Agoura Power of Yoga. Headed home for my first home-cooked meal in a while and it was delicious...THANKS MOM!

Tuesday I first went to a cardio class at my favorite studio, "The Factory" in Westlake, and then flowed at my friend Jonathan's house-- who by the way killed his 50k in case you were wondering! Crushing goals as is tradition. Anyway, did Adrienne's podcast in his living room (thanks, Adrienne!) and yet again went into my headstands. Had some tumbles but this was the final result...

Balance, Concentration, & Core...Next come Handstands...

Went home, showered, and went to meet my favorite people for sushi! We went all out. Grateful for them. 

JD, Chelsea, and Jonathan...AMAZING people

Amazing-ness

That leads me to this morning, or what is almost yesterday morning, probably by the time I publish this. But just go with it. Went to the factory for a double cardio session-- step-kickboxing followed by boxing with bags. Needless to say I'm extremely sore. However, it was a great compliment to my yoga and it reminded me that I have a passion for it...wish it was part of a more regular routine in my life however we don't really have a cardio boxing gym up in SB. 

Got a massage at 12:30. It was heavenly. Then had a doctor's appointment, and then I went to yoga at YogaWorks Tarzana. Nice flow class-- it's always good to try something new! Here's a picture re-cap of my day:

 

My gloves, wraps, and fresh kicks #thesweatlife

The Mat- I highly recommend it.

Finished my day with amazing Thai food with my mom and a candle-lit Dexter & Homeland watching night. Super relaxing and exactly what I needed :) 

Thai Food

My candle collection, mom had them lit when I got back from yoga-- #OMMMMM

 I think I'll be going back to YogaWorks tomorrow for a pre-feast flow. However, I need burn a few more calories than a single yoga class can offer in order to burn off the calories that I'll be eating later that evening. I'll be starting my morning with a weights class and a kickboxing class at M6 fitness in Westlake-- super fun classes...hope I don't hit traffic going out there.

Anyway, it's officially THANKSGIVING! Happy Turkey Day everyone! Take a moment to bring love and gratitude to your thoughts (hands to third eye), words (hands to mouth), and actions (hands to heart) (picked that up from tonight's #yogitalks). Talk a lot, spend time with family and friends, and most importantly, INDULGE!

Courtesy of lululemon.com ...They have tons of "lovenotes" check them out!

I now only have 9 days left of yoga. The fact that I'm partially saddened by the fact of not feeling compelled to go to yoga everyday is frightening/exciting/strange. All that means however, is that I'll have to set a new goal for myself. Goal setting is the key to development and change. Set goals regardless of whether they seem realistic to you. You never know what you're capable of until you TRY. TRY, TRY, TRY!! Do it, you'll probably surprise yourself. I know I did. 

Thanks for listening to my ramble, yet again. 

In good health,

-A.