Feb
23
Even the most dedicated yoga students make excuses to skip their practice sessions from time to time. I like to think I’m fairly dedicated, but I have come up with some whopper excuses on those days that inertia sets in and the last thing I want to do is move.
Here are a few of my favorite excuses–and how I manage to get myself on the mat anyway (most of the time).
1. There’s not enough time. Let me let you in on a little secret. There will NEVER be enough time to do all the things you want to do. If you want to reap the benefits of this practice you have to make it a priority. You have to do it–no matter what–even if it’s just sitting in meditation for five minutes on some days.
2. I’m too tired. The next time you feel too tired to practice, try this: Set a timer for five minutes and move, stretch, and breathe until it goes off. If you feel too tired to go on, stop, maybe lay over a bolster for a few minutes–you probably need the rest! (And that totally counts as your yoga practice, by the way!) Most of the time, I get a boost of energy from just 5 minutes of movement and I go on to finish my practice.
3. My family needs me. When I adopted a puppy a little more than a year ago, my yoga practice really suffered. I couldn’t possibly leave her for the 3 hours it would take to go to a yoga class. And I felt too guilty to shut her in so I could unroll my mat in the other room. I tried letting her stay with me, but it didn’t work out so well. (If you don’t believe me, watch this video.) So I neglected my practice–and in essence myself–to care for my new little one. Now that I look back on it, I realize that my puppy would have been fine without me. When I return from a yoga class now, I think she feels calmer, more relaxed, and happier because I do! I know my husband and other members of my family feel the same way!
4. I ate too much. This is my favorite excuse to miss a yoga class. I’d go, but I just ate a bagel and I know the teacher likes to teach twists and it will make me nauseous. I can explain this one: self-sabotage. If you know you’re supposed to go to a yoga class (or have a home practice session) in an hour, skip the bagel! You’ll be glad you did when you’re laying blissfully in Savasana.
5. I have too many other things to do! I think I’ve written this a bazillion times, but my theory on to-do lists is that someone who is fresh from yoga is WAY better at crossing things off the list than someone who is stressed and frazzled.
What’s your favorite excuse for skipping a practice session? How do you overcome it?
Erica Rodefer is a writer and yoga enthusiast in Charleston, SC. Visit her blog,Spoiledyogi.com, follow her on Twitter, or like her on Facebook.
Posted by Erica Rodefer on February 22, 2011 9:28 AM | Permalink |
Posted in Uncategorized
Oct
11
Fall and Spring are two very transitional times for me, as I’m sure for many of you as well. It’s a time for new beginnings and discoveries. I like to use it as a time to reevaluate where I am and notice which of the things in my life serve me, as well as those things that might be best left in the past. Time to let go and focus on the here and now. What is it that you want for yourself? Where do you want to be in a week, a month, or a year? Take these goals and aspirations and write them down. Prioritize and post them somewhere where you will be reminded often. Also spend time alone or out in the fresh air with some friends. Both will help you to become more clear with your needs. When you spend time alone you allow yourself to make decisions that are best for you without the interference of others. Outside opinions are great for different perspectives but you are the only one who truly knows what is best for you. Time with friends can also be just as revealing. Having the ability to talk things through is a gift that cannot go unappreciated. When you say things out loud you tend to see situations in a whole new light and gain the ability to link ideas in a way that puts your dreams at your fingertips.
I recently bought a pass to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. I am thrilled to have the ability to get away by myself and/or with a group of friends. The scenery is breathtaking and the hikes challenging. It’s the perfect place to think and talk things through, turn dreams into realities!
Posted in Uncategorized
May
06
It’s that time again! Early Spring is the perfect season to start your very own vegetable garden. My new ritual is to plant something new each week. I started with tomatoes and kale and next week I hope to start other varieties. Not only is gardening a stress-relieving activity, but its also extremely rewarding. I can’t wait to have my very own vegetables in a couple of months. Having your own vegetable garden saves money, allows for a closer relationship to the earth and is sustainable. Sustainability is becoming a popular term amongst Americans “Going Green” and it is a term that describes long-term productivity and diversity which is important for each and everyone’s well-being. Diversity is what allows plants and animals to flourish. Without the distinct and intricate collection of each specific plant and animal, an ecosystem cannot thrive. Each organism plays a specific role in the greater span of things. By growing your own non-hybrid plants you can get your feet wet in the world of sustainability.
Visit The Garden Helper to discover basics for beginning your own garden of flavorful nutrients.
Posted in Uncategorized biodiversity garden green grow kale plant sustainable tomato
Apr
29
I am on a scratch cooking kick. Making my own food places me more in touch with my body and the nutrients that make it feel the best. Cooking is meditative and stress-relieving, something necessary for winding down after a long day. I have been designing everything from home-made pasta and granola, to healthy hummus and quiche. Below I have provided a quick hummus recipe. I did not include the exact ingredient ratios because I find that seasoning to taste is part of the process in learning how to cook. You have to live a little and make mistakes in order to learn to make dishes that absolutely rock.
Quick and Easy Hummus
dried chick peas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, olive oil
1. Soak chick peas (garbanzo beans) overnight.
2. Drain and rinse beans.
3. Bring a pot of water to boil, add chick peas, lower the heat to medium, and cook for two hours.
4. Drain and rinse.
5. Blend chick peas in a cuisinart or blender. Add a small amount of water to thin the mix.
6. Add tahini, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and garlic to taste.
I find that seasoning to my specific taste is much more rewarding. Feel free to add pesto and roasted red peppers for a whole different feel.
Posted in Uncategorized cooking hummus meditative scratch
Apr
27
One of my favorite things to do with spare time is search through quotes. There is something wonderful about discovering the perfect quote for a little extra something each day; Whether it be new eyes on an old situation or words of wisdom to make you feel warm and tingly inside.
I am the queen of status quotes, named so by an old friend from high school. I make inspirational quotes my status not only to remind myself that there are so many ways to look at and approach every single situation but also to share those words with others so that they may find that A-hah as well.
I added an inspiration section to my website because I find it a very important aspect of living a healthy and happy mind body and soul.
Some of my favorite places to find sweet quotes: yogi tea, post secrets, found, and my head.
Two refreshing quotes that have inspired me today:
“You must know that you can swim through every change of tide.” and “If your word does not reflect your spirit and honor, do not speak.”
also a quote that has been a great motivation to stick by lately:
“Small steps lead to strides…let that be a lesson”.
Posted in Uncategorized approatch exhilerate happy inspiration quotes revitalize vitalize
Apr
22
Earth day has arrived. To me, it’s a day to remember how lucky I am to exist in such a generous habitat, to notice the beautiful scenery, weather, seasons, and the numerous resources that I am blessed with each and every day of my life. Today I am making it a point to change old habits into long lasting green habits, keeping sustainability close at mind. I have found that if simple steps are taken, you can save numerous resources. By remembering to bring a reusable bag to the super market, a mug to the local coffee shop, reusable Tupperware to a restaurant; I have found that it can be quite simple to decrease my footprint with a little more preparedness. I want to live more by the motto I learned as a girl scout “leave it better than when you first arrived”. Learning to reduce my waste by composting more frequently, using public transportation, and my bike has not only saved me money but also pointed me in right direction and renewed my appreciation for how I can make a difference single-handedly.
What does Earth day mean to you? Go out and enjoy the earth for all that it provides and pay a little more attention to how you can take care of our Earth through the use of more reusable items, learning to compost, using public transportation, and planting a tree!
Posted in Uncategorized compost earth earth day habitat love peace plant reduce reusable tree
Apr
06
Something that has recently caught my interest are the efforts of a chef from London. Jamie Oliver is know for his campaign to reverse the trend of unhealthy eating in children and adults around America and the United Kingdom. His series “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” airs on ABC and is dedicated to visiting schools around the US determined to teach the children about healthy eating.
In the first episode, Jamie travels to Huntington, West Virginia to teach children the benefits of healthy eating. Check out the series on ABC. It just may blow your mind.
In other news, the weather is absolutely beautiful in Boulder! Perfect for a long hike and a bike ride on one of the many lovely paths around town! Get out and enjoy the weather and let me know your thoughts on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution!
Posted in Uncategorized benefits Food Revolution healthy eating Jamie Oliver unhealthy eating
Mar
31
Did you know? …Legend has it that coffee was discovered when a goatherd witnessed his goats acting in a unusually upbeat manner after eating the bright red berries off the coffee bushes nearby.
Laughing goat is a local coffee shop in Boulder, open late, with a great entertainment scene. Their name cleverly comes from the legend. They serve amazing mochas, Kombutcha, and Golden Monkeys. What more could one ask for? It is my favorite night spot to reflect and relax while listening to local singer/songwriters.
I would love more than anything to have a miniature goat one day. Not only are they adorable, but also very affectionate. I would name her Isabelle and she would wear a purple ribbon around her neck. She would be best friends with my crazy little kitten Ella. 
Posted in Uncategorized Boulder coffee goat kombutcha laughing goat mochas
Mar
31
My sister came to visit this weekend. It was so nice to have her around. We grew up like two peas in a pod traveling around Europe with no one to hang with but each other. We have a wonderful relationship that I wouldn’t trade for anything. We can almost always read each others minds and what one is not good at the other is.
Her stay was short but sweet. We spent the first day in Estes park playing in the snow, hiking and making snow angels. No trip to Estes is complete without a trip to Kind Coffee for a kind shake and a slice of pie from the pie shop. The rest of her stay consisted of amazing home cooked meals, long walks on pearl, and hot chocolate with more than just a dollop of whipped cream.
Currently, Ashlyn is enrolled in a horticulture program at the University of Florida. She is making me proud with her never-ending list of amazing accomplishments. She is hard working, determined, writes beautifully, and debates better than anyone I know. She is incredibly intelligent and will make your stomach hurt from all the laughing that will accompany the hilarious things she does and says.
Ashlyn has been a great resource for my site and my dreams. She is a best friend, sister, and mentor all in one and I am more than lucky to have her in my life. Without her, Purely Nourished wouldn’t be anything close to where it is today.
Posted in Uncategorized Ashlyn coffee Estes Park kind coffee sister
