Daily dose of yoga

“I haven’t been to yoga in two weeks. This class is going to be xxxxx.”

I hate being that person.

Life, oh life, got in the way of my yoga practice. My work schedule unexpectedly changed so I haven’t been able to go to my usual 5:30 p.m. class.  Plus the more I run, the less I practice yoga, which is not helping in my quest to improve my overall health. Today I definitely felt the impacts of avoiding the hot room for weeks. (I don’t want to look at my attendance because it will freak me out even more.) Looking in the mirror, I felt gross and fat. I’m pretty sure I put on a few extra pounds (on top of my already extra fat). Good times! 

But it was good to get my butt into class. Last week I woke up to some shooting pain on my right side of my body – hip, foot, arm. It’s that familiar pain, which sidelined my running for the 2015 season. I am not freaking out or anything. I consulted my team of doctors who immediately put me on a path to recovery. I am not sure what I did. Maybe it was that spill I took on the mountain? 

Yoga to the rescue.

I am going to get my butt into the hot room every single day (until I leave for a conference on Thursday). I promise myself. This will happen. I always feel so much better and less stressed when I practice yoga consistency. It’s weird how my body craves the heat. When I loved in Korea, I used to go to the public baths nearly every day. I loved sitting in the sauna. I always felt like the weight of the world was dripping away with every ounce of sweat. 

I have become a firm believer that running + yoga is a great match. I know I couldn’t have run that spontaneous 30K race a few weeks ago if it weren’t for my regular yoga practice. (And my lack of consistency lately is probably the reason all these old injuries are resurfacing) I would love to say I stretch properly after every run but I would be lying. I get into a groove for a while then I get pressed for time and all my good intention goes out the window.

At least by showing up to the mat regularly, I am doing something to undo the damage of all that pavement pounding and sitting at my desk all day. Let the magic begin. 

Hope you’re having a great weekend! I want to finish this post with Pretty Indian Girls.  Peace.