Sweet Sixteen

Today is day 16! Kind of like a sweet sixteen, but without fancy cars and a huge party with all my friends. Today I had a party with myself-- celebrated in class after I got into my first headstand WITHOUT SUPPORT, JUST USING MY OWN BODY! It was so incredible I couldn't help but smile throughout the rest of my practice. I was so incredibly proud of myself. Only half-way through my 30 days and I've already accomplished the goal I had set to complete by day 30...guess it's time to do some new goal setting!

Had one day of class this week thanks to my Monday Wednesday class schedule. Started the weekend two days ago. It's pretty rad. Will only have class on Monday next week and then get to go home for Thanksgiving Monday evening! Senior-itis much?

Also having a love/hate relationship with the fact that I have work at 6 am on black Friday. Hate to leave home but love that it's going to be a total party at lulu Santa Barbara! Moving to full-time status come winter break. Now that I'm almost done with my exec position I'm excited to start dedicating more time towards a place that I really love being #joblove

ANYWHOO, back to YOGA. Wednesday went to a 6 am class that I can't believe I actually woke up for. I had a full day of class and sorority activities and had no choice. However, it was actually a great decision and made the rest of my day a lot brighter! I even got to take a nap (and I don't nap, ever). What's even more crazy to me is that there were 12 people in my class-- quite a lot for such an early time. Like they say, the early bird gets the worm! Came back and had to go to my 8 am class, went out to get my bike which was on my deck and walked out to this amazing sight...

My bike has lasted me four years...ain't she a beauty!

Went to a "Yoga Body Bootcamp" on Thursday morning. Kicked my booty. Imagine this: hands propped up on two yoga blocks, your two feet straight out on a towel. Prop yourself up fingers facing towards your toes, do a tricep dip, swing your feet on the towel underneath you to behind you (in one swift motion) and then conclude with a pushup-- repeat. Bootcamp moves to help you get into yoga shape-- genius idea and a nice break to my traditional practice.

Started my day today with a phone call to my old boss from when I interned at Fox Sports two summers ago. I've kept in touch because I knew it would clearly pay off to have connections at such an amazing company. Sending him my updated resume, will probably apply for an internship during spring quarter (will drive to LA two days a week), and will hopefully land myself a full time job after college?! I pretty much have no idea what I want to do after school-- but I know that whatever it is I want it to be fun and exciting. I refuse to fall into a job or career that leaves me feeling unsatisfied, but I continue doing it because it pays the bills. To me, happiness is what truly matters and there's no use in spending your time doing something you don't truly love doing. I'm not sure if Fox Sports is where I see myself in 20 years, but I do think it can help me to find a path that might be right for me. Only time will tell! However, I can't say that I would be upset about working in stretchy pants for the rest of my life #morejoblove...

My life.

Went to work on a rainy day, always lovely! The store was buzzing-- you can definitley tell that the holidays are right around the corner!

Front of my store!

Post-work yoga at 6 pm was so challenging and like I said at the beginning of this post, I got into my first self-supported headstand. We also tried forearm stands which are incredibly difficult. I can also now go from crow to chaturanga without stopping somewhere in between. SO MUCH PROGRESS. Tonight my teacher Melanie said, "You have to be willing to come to class and SUCK. That way, you can eventually come to class and SHINE!"

I definitely feel as if I'm glowing. Halfway to shining. I never want this feeling to end, ever. I know I can't do yoga every day for the rest of forever, but I want to do something consistent. Trying to decide how/what to do once my thirty days is up. Maybe four times a week? The core strength and metabolism I have now are so incredible and I can't imagine life without them.

Finished my night with a special Pi Phi ceremony, telling funny stories and eating LOTS of cookies.

That's an arrow made out of lights!

Tomorrow's initiation for the little ones! Going for a bit then heading to work. Can't make it to any studios tomorrow unfortunately but will definitely be hitting up YouTube when I get home tomorrow evening. Any suggestions on good YouTube videos that do a power Vinyasa flow? Hopefully I can find something :) 

Working on planning a super special upcoming event for lulu Santa Barbara-- so keep your eye out for that. Here's my daily planner and sacred lulu moleskin journal...couldn't live without them

JUST DO IT.

I hope this blog has inspired YOU to go do something you may have been afraid of doing! I used to HATE yoga (or at least I thought I did) but with the encouragement of good friends I decided to ask myself "Why Not?" and just went for it. Hands down the best decision I have made in a LONG TIME and couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be doing with my November. In this month of November, have an "Attitude of Gratitude," and think about what YOU'RE grateful for. I am grateful for health and movement. How about you?

-A.