Yesterday morning, I woke up both sore and anxious.Â
I’ve been pushing myself really hard working out and at work, and it caught up with me a bit. My everything was sore, and my mind was in overdrive. I NEEDED yoga, so I tried one of our DailyBurn Yoga videos – Yin Yoga.
When I got to work, I mentioned to my coworker Alex that I’d done yoga and how much I missed it. How I’d done so much yoga at this time last year, and though I was unhappy, I was at peace as much as I could be.Â
Now, I’m really happy but busier than ever. I remember talking to a friend at the marathon expo in November, and we both vowed that we would slow down in 2014.
I have not slowed down, not even a little bit. Life is never going to slow down, so I need to make sure to slow down myself sometimes. To take time to be mindful of this awesome life I get to live and the wonderful people in my life. Of this amazing city I live in.Â
I’m not going to say I’m committing to some yoga challenge or even doing yoga X times more per week or month, but I’m going to try to bring more yoga and meditation back into my life. Jen and I are going to a Kundalini yoga workshop tomorrow night with Gabby Bernstein, which should be very interesting, at the least.Â
This morning, my trainer canceled on me because she’s sick, and I was about to just get ready early and go to work, but I’m glad I took a few minutes to sit down and write, for myself here. I’m still going to go into work early now, but it’s nice knowing I took a little time for myself.Â
How do you take care of yourself when you need to slow down a bit?Â
I am literally posting something similar this afternoon about how I need to SLOW DOWN and have instituted a morning yoga/stretching and meditation routine to help!!
Sometimes I think we are twins, minus that you run a lot more than me and have a cool job in NYC…and some other things.
I h ave been recently saying I will do more yoga as well (I have been doing it a few times but need to do it more). I always feel great after…is there such a thing as a “yoga high?” haha
When I need to slow down for a bit, I usually take a rest day from working out and just take the afternoon/evening to do whatever I want (since that’s when I work out). I feel refreshed and ready to hit the gym the next day. Taking a rest day today actually 🙂
I’m also trying to slow down — it’s an ongoing quest. I’ve just started getting into yoga, and I’ve “allowed” myself to be a lot lazier on the weekends. Honestly, it feels good!
Ok — on a totally unrelated note, any italian restaurant recommendations? we had reservations at carbone, but apparently my boyfriend made them for the wrong day (whoops). I have a similar style to you and would appreciate your ideas. just looking for somewhere with a good vibe and really good food… 🙂
Yoga is a great way to relax and find peace within yourself. I need to tell myself this more often! I tend to get so wound up/anxious and need to remember that’s okay to slow down and not get in a super intense workout each and every day.
Last May, we moved into this fantastic house with a jacuzzi in the master bedroom bath.
The most amazing thing to do after a REALLY stressful day is to fill the jacuzzi with hot water, toss in a tiny bit of bubble bath (too much and the entire bathroom fills with bubbles), and sit in it for about 20 minutes, preferably with a glass of wine.
It does wonders. The world comes to a halt and stress melts away!
When I need to slow down and clear my mind, the best thing to do is just take a break. Shut off the computer, put my phone aside, try to forget about to-do lists, and sit down with a cup of tea and a book. Or just a cup of tea! Whatever works for you is best, and taking a complete break works best for me.
Great post, and so true. Slowing down can mean so many different things to many people, whether it be yoga, a short walk, watching your favorite tv show, or *gasp* taking a nap! 🙂
Yes, I’m all for the slowing down thing, time is moving too fast.
Two months into the year and not enough time to spend with my
daughter, need to make up your Birthday,
Dad is on the mend time to celebrate soon!!!!
Love
Mom
Welp. Now I have “Vienna” running through my head. (not complaining)
I’m doing physical therapy for a shoulder injury and two of my stretches require laying down on a bolster pillow or the foam roller for three minutes. I never just take three minutes and do nothing but be still. I’ve thought about how nice it is each time I’ve done that stretch to just “be” for a minute without any other distractions. Need to do that in real life more often. Slow can be good.
I feel exactly the same way! Last year was my year of learning to say no to things I really did not want to do. This year is my year to say yes to taking care of myself-prioritzing workouts, yoga, taking baths, self care type things like actually putting on lotion since this winter has turned me into a lizard!
And now I can’t get that song out of my head. THANKS.
It’s like your taking for me 🙂 Also needing to SLOW IT DOWN and really hoping to incorporate a lot more yoga into this ladies routine!
Oh how I miss yoga! I had a great personal trainer for about 2 years and that’s pretty much all we did. Only, most of the time, I didn’t really realize we were doing it. I was rocking handstands, balancing in all kinds of weird positions, and my flexibility, whoa! Too bad I can’t go back to grade school and do those “reaching tests”. I miss it. I’d be happy to join you for a session sometime.
yes, definitely! Email me at theodora at preppyrunner.com and let’s make plans!
I’m hoping to be at that class tomorrow, depends on a few things with work. I’ll make sure to awkwardly say hi!
no awkward hello 🙁
I’ll be curious to know what you think about Kundalini yoga.
I really like the DVDs by Maya Fiennes. Very relaxing and at the same time invigorating!
I’m taking time to slow down and do Kundalini 2 times/week. Lots going on and I need to work on staying calm and collected.
Interesting – I remember seeing you post that you’d been doing Kundalini. What’s been your experience with it so far?
SO TRUE. Life doesn’t slow down, so you have to adapt… reminds me of that Ferris Bueller quote. 😉
Thanks for the good advice Fun is the impulse to reduce my weight and others which I will put this advice to use.