Just breathe

The boys have successfully passed their colds onto Matt and I and are now in full fledged toddler hood.  You know what doesn't mix so well?  Two tired parents and two screaming, running toddler boys.  But you know what brings the more happiness than imaginable?  Two screaming, running toddler boys. 

This morning, in an effort to get everyone to simmer down a little, I popped in Mandy Ingber's Yogalosophy Workout DVD and started stretching (squatting, lunging, and balancing) for my om. 

The boys thought it was the greatest game, and I was the greatest fort, ever.


After a whirlwind morning of Farmer's Market with Lisa and her brood, cleaning and playtime, and lunch I snuck in a quick run before meeting Nicole, Salil and RJ at the park.

Farting during yoga - really?!

I just finished Bikram - second day in a row thank you very much!  The class was excellent ... except ... the guy next to me.  I know you're supposed to be in your own space, not think about anything except breathing and what YOUR body is doing, and let go of all distractions.  It was hard enough to shut down thoughts of my amazing baby boys and stop letting work sneak into my brain for the 90-min class.  But the guy ... 

At the start of class during the deep breathing, my neighbor starting groaning uncontrollably.  Then it was on to standing balance poses and he kept falling (no big deal) but every time he fell he would start laughing maniacally.  Finally, at the end of class during the twisting poses he ripped a giant fart!

On the bright side, the noises kept my mind off the outside world. 

Extreme living

I've decided I like things harder, dirtier, hotter.  Go big or go home, right?  I took a Bikram yoga class today and I'm HOOKED!  It's funny, I like yoga if it's fast paced and moving, I can't hang with the deep breathing focused classes, but Bikram?  Love.

I'm much the same with running.  Running is my sanity check - it keeps me in line.  Road running is OK, but trails?  Anything 10-20mi?  Love.

Maybe that's why we have twins?  Gosh, if I did ironmen, would we have triplets? 

Back to the Bikram, the class left me feeling so energized and, oddly enough, ready and wanting to run!  It was great to really stretch out - the heat let me stretch muscles I thought turned to stone long ago.  It was also nice to warm up when it's in the 40s out (warm for here).  And the teacher was awesome - here are a few of her one-liners that I really liked:
"The pain is momentary - it will pass.  Go with it."
"Breathe!"
"You need to give yourself breaks to do better."

Yoga changed my week - from downward dog, to upward week

I haven't taken yoga in a while. For some reason I have a mental block where I think I'm going to get bored in class. The reality is if the teacher is good, and mine tonight was rad (Kerri Kelly taught - she specializes in yoga for runners among other things), class flies by.

Tonight I decided to do yoga to counter all the work I've been doing in spin and channel my energy into being happy about my growing body. I think the boys loved class, too, because they were doing somersaults and kicking the entire time.

After 90-minutes of stretching and breathing I walked out a taller, more energized, and happier athlete.

Here's why I think yoga is so beneficial for mom's to be:

• Practiced breathing
• Worked posture
• Worked core without crunches
• Stretched legs / joints / muscles (read, reduce water retention)
  
• A million other reasons
  

Here's why I think yoga is so beneficial for runner's:

• Lengthen the muscles we work so hard to tighten
• Work breathing (read, at mile 20 when you start hyperventilating because you "just can't do it" you take a deep breath and realize you can)
• Prevent injuries
• A million other reasons
  

Pregnant lady yoga

Today I decided to take hot vinaysina yoga at Crunch after work. Although I can run, I can barely touch my knees let alone toes. When I got to the class, because it was a hot one, I asked the instructor if it was OK for pregnant women to take it. “Yes, just as long as you feel ok.” Good.

Throughout the class was a little embarrassing, though. Being 1-month pregnant I feel like I’m not really allowed to say “I’m pregnant” – I don’t look any different. The teacher was awesome, though, for poses that made me twist in odd angles or put too much compression on my stomach, she showed me new poses.

• Instead of the twisted star, I did the regular star
• Instead of the boat pose, I did boat on my side
• Instead of holding crunch sit-ups with a block between my knees, I did cross legged bow

Loved it. Can’t wait until the next class.