A few months ago I hated yoga. I just couldn’t get into it.
My mind would race a mile a minute during every class. I found myself feeling inadequate as I looked at the people who were all surely professional gymnasts and could contort their bodies into the most bizarre positions… and then hold them for a minute or two.
Namaste
I wasn’t until I took a yoga class with an instructor who offered modifications to more advanced yoga poses and was constantly telling the class to practice yoga in the way that feels right to them and their body that I actually enjoyed it. What a world of difference!
Ever since then, I’ve found that my body honestly craves yoga. The way I feel after a solid hour of deep stretching is unsurpassed by any other workout. (You may read about my favorite yoga pose here.)
This morning I took a yoga class after doing 30 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical and it felt fantastic.
My quadriceps and hamstrings were unbelievably tight. I’ve been wanting to take a yoga class ever since I finished the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon a week and a half ago, but I’ve been waiting for the scab/bruise on my knee (thank you, Sadie) to heal so I could comfortably do all of the poses.
Breakfast
After yoga and a quick walk with Sadie, I came home to assemble breakfast. I could have sworn I had a peach in the fridge, but apparently I eat things and forget about them these days. 🙂
Though I initially planned to enjoy a peach-tastic breakfast, I changed my menu and opted for a simple morning meal of a banana and Chobani Greek yogurt which I enjoyed with a scoop of Polaner blueberry fruit spread.
Chobani + Polaner Blueberry Fruit Spread
Nanner
Though this breakfast veered from my initial plan, it was still pretty darn tasty!
Thursday Goods
Jammin’ Out
Let me just say I love PBF readers!
As a little token of my love for you guys, please enjoy this compilation of ’80s jams that I assembled from your comments on my morning post from yesterday. Get ready to sing and dance your way through the rest of the work day!
- Whitesnake: Here I Go Again
- Culture Club: Karma Chameleon
- Tiffany: I Think We’re Alone Now
- AC/DC: TNT
- Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
- Guns N’ Roses: Paradise City
- Debbie Gibson: Shake Your Love
- The Buggles: Video Killed the Radio Star
- Hall & Oates: You Make My Dreams
- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes: I’ve Had the Time of My Life
- Tears for Fears: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
- Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’
- Pat Benatar: Love is a Battlefield
- Peter Gabriel: In Your Eyes
- Dexy’s Midnight Runners: Come on Eileen
- Katrina & The Waves: Walking on Sunshine
- Kenny Loggins: Footloose
Now go make yourself a rockin’ ’80s playlist! 😀
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I love that you call your banana a “nanner” – I totally do that, too 🙂
I used to hate yoga too! I have found that trying different kinds really helped me understand what I do and do not like in a class. Have you tried Bikram? I’m obsessed with it! I would do it more if it wasn’t so expensive, but I like to get a class in every once in a while! The heat creates a more intense stretch!
Also, if you have a lululemon near you, find out if they have free classes. Mine offers free classes every Sunday host a different teacher from a local studio each week!
i was just thinking about going back through all your comments and making a playlist…now i don’t have too! woohoo!
I WAS/AM the exact SAME way!!!!!!!!! If I go more than a week my body just about freaks out!!!
XOXOX,
Lauren
Oh I freaking love this list. It is so going on my ipod for tomorrows workout.
I feel like putting tons of spray net in my hair, rocking shoulder pad, and dance on 80’s songs 😉
I’ve never donw yoga … I feel like I’m way too much ADD for it.
But I do consider it though
Love this playlist, I LOVE the 80’s! My fiance and I want to find a club that has an 80’s nite and want to dance all nite long! lol! Love it!!!
Oh that Polaner Jelly is delish! I have the strawberry flavor!
great playlist! yeah for 80s music 🙂
I LOVE that photo. Funny animals are my weakness. Awesome playlist by the way.
Aaaahh you are AWESOME for creating that 80’s playlist!! LOVE IT.
A good yoga instructor really does change everything. I’m so glad you found a good one and were able to get into it!
I could really use some stretches and twists myself right now….. 🙂
This inspires me to try yoga once again 🙂
I was totally jammin’ out to 80’s all day yesterday in my car thanks to you 😀
I always crave yoga the day after a long run. It’s amazing how just a little stretching can make your body feel fresh again!
Its so bad I used to do yoga all the time, but now its more of an every other week thing for me. I def need to start it up again.
Oh and I love reading your blog so much and the way that you balance it all out. I actually started my own the other day as a place for me to reflect and think about things now that I’m in recovery.
http://www.bitbettereveryday.wordpress.com
feel free to stop by and check it out 🙂
So you asked for our favorite 80s song the other day and I couldn’t choose one. I’d like to retract my previous statement.
C’mon Eileen!!! Loves it 🙂
I love yoga. Every time I finish a class I feel so free and relaxed. It’s such a calming experience and it doesn’t matter how advanced you are. Anyone can reap the benefits. 🙂
Random Question: Do you download all of your songs on itunes? I used to have limewire and downloaded tons of songs but then it caused a virus on my computer:( Now I never download as many songs bc I’m too cheap;)
yeah i definitely stick to itunes… i did limewire years ago & had the same thing happen.
OOO I forgot to contribute! Damn! I’m actually OBSESSED with 80s music. My fiance and I have decided to make our wedding reception one big 80s dance party, beginning with our favorite…
THE SAFETY DANCE!!!!
This song is def in my top 5, and it gets a crowd pumping like no other (with the exception of possibly, “Jesse’s Girl”… maybe).
AHHH love the safety dance!
I love the way I feel after yoga class, so stretched and strong! 80s songs are the best.
I miss yoga. The classes at my new gym aren’t great and I can’t afford a studio, but I love it. Teachers who make modifications can really make a world of difference.
Best. 80s. Playlist. Ever. …that is all. 🙂
oh wait – I agree w/ the comment about Jessie’s Girl… that would be a great addition to the playlist! 🙂
I think that is exactly why I don’t do yoga anymore. When I was in college I took a class with a great instructor. But I haven’t been able to find a good one since then!
Yoga is just good for the soul. My body craves it too. Love that feeling. It makes it so much easier to get up and go to the studio
Oh, and I am so rocking out to this today at work!! Great selection!!! I may even rock the side pony at my cube 😉
doooo it!
I use to hate doing Yoga but only because I was so bad at it LOL I like it now that I don’t struggle so much with all the poses, there isn’t much for Yoga classes where I love though, wish I could get a bit more variety.
Yay my song made the playlist! Woot!
I absolutely LOVE Tears for Fears! My Dad got me into them. They came out with a new album a couple of years ago and I loved those too! They have distinct singing voices. As far as yoga goes, I’ve never tried it, but I want to give Hot a yoga a go. There’s a class in town that’s called 100 minutes in 100 degrees. Have you ever done hot yoga?
no i haven’t but i’d like to try! my friend did it once & said it was way too hot for her, so i’m a little intimidated!
I love your 80’s mix! That first picture though is a ittle disturbing 🙂
I’m in the I *hate* yoga category. I’m so jealous when people rave about it and how it stretches them because my body feels like it needs some stretching to balance the cardio. My first yoga class people were doing headstands (!) and I basically felt like I was sitting watching the whole class since I just wasn’t able to do what they were doing.
Your post made me think maybe I should try a couple of different yoga class/yoga types to maybe find something that might work better for me.
definitely “shop around” for a good teacher!
aww your the best for compiling this list!! thanks Julie! Oh and I love Polaner jam 🙂
Love that playlist! I definitely agree with your thoughts on yoga. It makes a big difference when the instructor is there to help teach your body and to offer modifications. I took a bikram class once that was just way too intense and not enjoyable.
I find that my body craves yoga too. Getting everything so stretched out really helps me feel rejuvanated. Sounds like all you needed was the right instructor-seems like you found a good one!
Yoga is the best thing ever! Unfortunately for me right now there are no yoga or pilates classes that work with my work schedule. Perhaps when I start my new job something will fit in!
pigeon pose is my favorite too! it feels awesome! I love the way I feel after my BodyFlow class. Have you ever tried it? Its a mix of Tai-Chi/Yoga/Pilates set to music which is what I like about it. I tried a yoga class and didn’t really get into holding poses forever (which all pulled your ab muscles).
nooo i really want to though!
(I ran across this old post when I was randomly clicking on your “you might also like” links)
This is totally random, but my boyfriend was singing the song, “Footloose” as “Fruit loops” and it totally changed the song for me. I’ll never be able to hear it without thinking: “Fruit loops, everybody get fruit loops!”