Holy crap. I got up at 6am to take a spin class. That’s right – I woke to an alarm that was not a baby crying. It’s a big deal. I have not been up and out of bed willingly at 6am in years. I have not put on my workout sneakers in an embarrassingly long time either, typically preferring the yoga mat.
It’s a breakthrough day.
Been thinking, man, losing the baby weight was pretty easy but pulling my body shape back, um, into shape? That doesn’t just happen on its own. At least not for me. Term of the day: diastisis recti, or the separation of the stomach muscles. Yeah. That. I don’t have a fancy name for flabby legs, but that too.
“I don’t like yoga.” I hear those words a lot. Or, “I tried yoga. It was ok but, eh.”
When I hear those words, I am always in disbelief because I fell hard and fast for the mat at my very first yoga class. Ok, it wasn’t my FIRST yoga class because I’d taken some crappy gym yoga that didn’t make me feel particularly awesome. But the first time I went to a real yoga studio that was rooted in creating positive change in the world – that was it. I became a believer. Even though I was sore as heck. Even though it was hard work that I’d rather skip out on sometimes and go get a drink instead. For some reason…I kept going back.
I loved how I felt walking out of those classes. My head pleasantly buzzed, humming the Ashtanga opening invocation long before I learned the words. Accidentally leaving my water bottle at the studio or walking down the wrong street because I was so on Cloud 9.
Anyway, when other people told me they went to yoga and left unimpressed, I’ve always been confused. But – Aha! I finally get it. See, I got REALLY lucky that I found some of the best yoga in Boston on my first try. I didn’t know any different.
When we moved away, I was psyched that our new home was a mere block from the closest yoga studio (which I’ll refrain from naming.) As soon as we got here I took prenatal classes. After Danny was born, I started going as often as I could. It was a pleasure to be back on my mat. Yet something was missing.
I’ve had great massages and so-so massages…and some downright useless massages. I’ll tell you right now, if you’re pregnant, ask if they have a special pregnancy foam thing so you can be on your stomach. So much nicer than lying on your side! Man, I could really go for a massage like that right now…
But what about the days or months (or years) between trips to the massage table? I personally get a great deal of use out of 2 tennis balls and a sock to help work tension out of my back. It’s really easy! Check out the video above to see how to do it.
Change is good. It’s a mirror, giving us the opportunity to see that we are that strong, that smart, that powerful, that fortunate.
So why do we resist it?
I really, really did not want to move. I didn’t want to pack, or leave friends, or deal with setting up the cable all over again. Most of all, I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. And I’m pregnant, dammit! *Insert whine here*
But oh man, it all sounds like a lesson I learned in yoga. When you’re uncomfortable, growth happens. Comfort zone = stagnation. Pain = too much, too soon. But feeling uncomfortable? That’s the sweet spot where good things can unravel.
So stop being such a baby! Change is a big ol’ invitation for life to get better, even if it doesn’t seem that way at first.
“One of the deepest habitual patterns that we have is to feel that now is not good enough” – Pema Chödrön
This quote came up on Twitter the other day. It sort of jumped off the screen and hit me between the eyes. “Ouch!” I said. But I knew I deserved that little wake up call. I’m the type of person who always wants to be right, do the smart thing, accomplish, achieve, succeed. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But sometimes, ok, lots of the time, it keeps me from appreciating the now. The right here. It keeps me from admitting that, hey, right now is pretty cool. I don’t have to do better or go somewhere else or be something bigger. Everything is actually ok, exactly as it is.
Ugh, see – this is why I had to start teaching yoga. You teach what you need to learn! It’s my practice to keep remembering that now is good enough.
I bought this mat at my very first yoga class. It was $20.
In general, I’m very easy on my belongings. My favorite jeans are 5 years old and I’ve worn and washed them every single week – they’re only beginning to get holes in the knees.
But sure enough, in my downward facing dog today I looked back and saw my mat beginning showing signs of wear and tear. It was a sentimental moment for me. This mat has been under my feet during some of the most pivotal moments of my adult life. Ok, ok, I didn’t get married while standing on my mat. But, in some ways I did. “Standing on the mat” has become a metaphor for approaching my life with openness and gratitude and fearlessness. Whether it’s been directly under my bare feet or just an idea…I’ve been living on this mat for awhile.
For those of you living in or visiting the Boston area, I’d be overjoyed to meet you in on the mat! Never taken a yoga class? All my classes are open to beginners. There’s no time like the present to do something good for you!
Happy new year, everyone! It’s inspiring to feel the clean slate that comes at the start of not only this year, but this decade. At the same time, how many of you shrink away from resolutions and goal-setting because you’ve failed in the past?
I tend to agree that resolutions don’t really…work. Aggressive goals and firm resolutions for a new year can be overwhelming. This year I’ll lose 70 pounds! This year I’ll stop procrastinating! Maybe you will. But it’s likely that this year will be a lot like last year unless you change your approach.
The all-or-nothing mentality? It’s soooo 1999.
This year, why not focus on the present instead of the long term? It’s easy to create grand schemes to lose weight this year, yet allow yourself one last scone because, well, it’s barely January. Instead of thinking 12 months ahead of yourself, I suggest focusing on the present moment. Right now. What can you do now to move you in the right direction? What decision can you make today?
What are some of your intentions going into 2010? More importantly, what’s the very first step you’ll take?
When Gaiam contacted me to review their Mayo Clinic Wellness Solution DVDs I was excited because this is a company that generally puts out a great product. What I loved about the DVDs overall is that they employ a similar approach to what I’m talking about today – small changes over time, nothing dramatic, common sense applied now. For weight loss? The DVD suggests eating real, fresh food and includes a starter yoga routine. It even comes with a cute booklet full of stress relief techniques. I smile seeing a weight loss program that addresses stress and not just calories.
By the way, Mayo Clinic is one of the top medical centers in the country and is known for its integrative approach. This ain’t your grandma’s doctor! It’s a sweet surprise to hear doctors recommending changes in diet and lifestyle instead of just writing prescriptions.
Each DVD focuses on a different condition:
Weight Loss
Insomnia
High Blood Pressure
Arthritis
Type Two Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Heart Health
IBS
Back Pain
Menopause Check ‘em all out here
Instead of screaming promises like “Lose 10 pounds this week!” the Gaiam approach is one of moderation and common sense. I really enjoyed the calm tone to the DVDs. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with information or emotions when it comes to healing your body, but these DVDs are presented in a balanced and even manner. Nothing fantastical, or over the top. Just the level-headed approach you’d want from a doctor or yoga teacher, or might I add, a health counselor.
I’m happy to announce a giveaway for a free Mayo Clinic DVD from Gaiaim! If you win, you can choose any video from their selection.
To enter, leave a comment and let me know which DVD you’d choose if you are the winner!
To earn additional entries, leave an additional comment every time you complete one of the following (It’s so much easier to count if you leave a separate comment for each entry!)
1. Sign up for my RSS feed
2. Subscribe to my newsletter
3. Follow me on Twitter @MPfennighaus
4. Retweet this contest on Twitter
5. Link to this contest from your blog
Contest will close on January 30, 2010. US residents only.
This post is part of The Kathleen Show’s Prevention Not Prescriptions blog carnival. Small, smart steps today mean fewer prescriptions tomorrow!
Well, there you go. My face on national TV and was I home to watch it? Nope. I was teaching yoga tonight! Good thing CBS is fast as lightning getting their stories online! Enjoy.
I help busy people find balance in their over-worked, over-stressed lives. Trust me, it's not an all-or-nothing situation! A few shifts in diet and lifestyle can rock your world like they did mine. Read on
