Embracing Namaste :)

In addition to my parent's anniversary (happy billionth year of marriage mom & dad!) and the 2nd official day of summer, June 21st just so happens to be the International Day of Yoga. Sweet! 

As someone who generally doesn't like to be still, I definitely did not think I'd be one to enjoy the practice of yoga. I had dabbled in yoga some during college, but in recent years initially made an effort to go at the recommendation of my coach. I tried out my first session of hot yoga on Easter, 2013, and wrote this simple reflection in my training log "First ever hot yoga class. Loved just about everything about it."

Since then I've tried multiple forms: power yoga, gentle yoga, gentle pool yoga, Bikram Hot Yoga 26&2, Venyasa... or some days I just park myself under a tree or in a nice spot, turn on the pandora yoga station and do my own personal yoga session :) I guess that's part of the beauty of the practice: it can be done in a group or alone, at a studio or in the convenience of your own home. at the beach or in a grassy plot underneath the shade of a tree, in the pool or on a paddle board (which I have yet to do but want to try!)

"Universal in its applications, Yoga means “Union”. It is a practice that reaches beyond differences, revealing the similarities of our souls outside the limits of race, gender, social endeavors or religious beliefs. Yoga addresses our differences as opportunities to expand our horizons, revealing a path towards complete transformation of the human being, on all its levels of manifestation. Yoga has something to offer to everyone – from physical conditioning, mental and emotional balance, to climbing the peaks of spiritual realization."
                                                                                         
- YogaUnited.org  

I am not an expert in all things yoga, but I can say that there has NEVER been a day that I've regretted carving out the time for it. It's definitely tough to fit in among the "higher priority" workouts of training, but I do aim to make it happen when the schedule allows (usually about every other week, more in the off season b/c hot yoga especially feels good when it's cold outside!). While my primary motivation to go has always been to maintain flexibility, especially through the hips, I can testify that I've reaped far more rewards than limber legs...

^^ That time I skipped my strength workout to do yoga under this tree... with zero regrets :)

Some days I go to aid in my recovery from a hard race or workout, other times for stress relief and relaxation, and other times as an alternative strength session when I don't want to overly fatigue my muscles at the gym. It can be exceptionally good for working on balance or strengthening the many stabilizer muscles we utilize but take for granted as athletes!! Yoga has enhanced my overall body awareness, my ability to breath deeply and fully and my ability to focus. It's has served as an excellent avenue for relaxing the body, clearing the mind and visualizing races/workouts or simply letting go the anxieties of the day. It has given me a greater appreciation for the powerful tool that is my body which allows me to go out and play while swimming, biking, running and beyond.

​Namaste :)