“coming home from a hot yoga session this am. my favorite way to start the work week!”
to learn more about the #dailysoul challenge, click here.
“peaceful drive on the freeway this early am. we don’t get those very often in LA so i’ve learned to appreciate them greatly.”
there’s always something about waking up early in the morning and starting my day before the rest of the world joins in on the chaos. i find peace in the sounds of birds chirping rather than the rush of cars passing by, the streets and freeways are still peaceful. somehow, all this makes me move more at my own pace rather than trying to keep up or push through a crowd. it reminds me of my yoga practice and how the instructor will remind everyone in class to just move at their own pace. such great advice for when you are on AND off the mat. wishing you all a happy & peaceful sunday!
to learn more about the #dailysoul challenge, click here.
my yoga instructor, mary beth larue, has combined forces with two of her inspiring friends, rachelle and caley, resulting in, handstands, hamsas and BLISS! their intention is to inspire personal strength through practice, to emphasize the importance of finding bliss in all things, and to give us the tools to learn how to spread our message and the message of others who are making this world a healthier, brighter, more soulful place. they will be doing this thru challenges, workshops, outreach, etc.
i thought it would be fun to join in on their very first challenge for the month of june, called #dailysoul. the challenge is to take a picture via instagram everyday in the month of june of something that feeds our soul. something that inspires us and lights us up from the inside out. to read more about the challenge and to join in on the fun, click here. if you join in on the fun, make sure to tag your image with the following: #dailysoul @caleyalyssa @melarue @the_neshama_project
here is my day 1 – #dailysoul picture…
“tasting & enjoying the sweeter parts of life!”
if you haven’t already, follow me on instagram, @inacard, to see more of my #dailysoul pics.
i was introduced to yoga about 2 years ago and since have been practicing on a weekly basis. i recently decided to try something new as i’m constantly reminded how important it is to push myself and do things i wouldn’t normally do.
enter hot yoga. not bikram, as i originally imagined the two to be one and the same, but instead a vinyasa style yoga in a 100 degree room. sounds crazy, right? well i thought so too and never in a million years did i think i would be trying it, much less practicing it on a daily basis.
my friend marsinah tried getting me to go years ago but i found every excuse in the book not too. the thought of being in that heated room was intimidating to me. also, the fact that i had never practiced yoga in my life stopped me completely from even giving it a chance. all i kept thinking about was not being able to breathe and passing out the minute i stepped into the heated room.
my boyfriend’s mom has been practicing hot yoga for the past year and she’s always inviting me to go, so finally i just told myself, “just go do it!” and so i casually signed up with purple yoga, in long beach, to go try a class with her. i figured, i might as well sign up for their new student online deal, $20 for an unlimited 2 week trial. if anything, i’d at least get my moneys worth if all i did was try 2 or 3 classes.
little did i know that after my first class, i’d recruit two of my friends and was basically hooked after my second class. although the temperature was an intimidating factor for me, i actually find the heat to be quite relaxing. it also helps me focus on my breathing, which, as you find out, is key to your yoga practice. and the water-dripping-off-your-body-like-you-just-walked-out-of-the-shower-with-your-clothes-on-sweatiness that goes on… yup, even that part is addicting as well!
practicing almost everyday now, i’m still incorporating my regular yoga practice because as much as i love hot yoga, i still love my wednesday evenings with mb at studio surya yoga.
so, lesson learned, never say never and always try something at least once!
yoga wednesday… one of my favorite days of the week.
when i was living on the westside, i discovered a cozy little yoga studio in venice called, studio surya yoga. since discovering this studio and one of my favorite yoga instructors, mary beth larue, i’ve made a point to make wednesday nights, my in studio yoga practice.
i never schedule any meetings or appointments wednesday evenings. i turn down any and all dinner invitations unless they are willing to go to yoga with me first or unless they are willing to meet me after class. i guess you can say it’s what i’ve designated on my calendar as my “me time.”
and although, i can’t make it out to the studio as often as i like now that i live in the south bay area, thankfully i can still practice on a regular basis at home, via yogis anonymous, with mary beth, online, at anytime, from anywhere!
since it’s always more fun to share things we love, i thought i’d share with you all a 15-day free trial period. just enter this coupon code: irenaong3072 when you sign up.
enjoy and namaste!