This morning I woke up fully intending to get outside for some physical activity. The air was cooler than normal (for Texas that means it was around 65-70F) and the humidity was low. It was perfect running/hiking weather. But as the sun slowly started to come up, I felt my body telling me to take it easy and my mind still telling me to GET OUTSIDE! Lately my body has been smarter than my mind, so I chose to listen to it. I grabbed my yoga mat and headed out the door.
As I approached the door to MY FAVORITE yoga studio, I realized that not many cars were outside. In fact, my car was really the only one in the parking lot. Hmmm, I thought to myself, “is yoga canceled today? I guess we’ll see.” I was greeted as I entered with a fresh face, a new teacher. She was lovely and I could see she was very passionate about yoga. I was excited to take her class.
I set up my mat in the center of the room. I was hoping at least 2 more people would soon be walking in. Maybe even my favorite YOGI blogger would come. Five minutes passed and no one. My lovely new teacher walked into the room with a huge smile on her face. “Well my dear, are you ready for class?” I looked at her, looked around, looked back at her and said “don’t feel obligated to teach if I am the only one, trust me, I totally understand.” Not a chance, she eager to teach and even more eager to leave an everlasting impression on me, and boy did it ever!
The next hour was solely focused on my practice. She talked me through each pose, each flow, and really challenged me to focus on my bodies abilities. She also helped me to lengthen certain poses and feel confident in trying new ones.
As the class came to an end I felt restored, balanced, and some what “nourished” with confidence. I am thankful for my bodies voice, the voice that said to take it easy. Because once we listen to that voice, it will help us to stay in tune with what our body needs so that we can actively “nourish” it.
Speaking of nourishment, let’s get to that food!
my partial WIAW compliments of the oh so lovely Jen.
the wordless addition……
A simple GF recipe I need to post soon, yes?
and last but not least….
What voice did you hear today? Did you listen to it?
🙂
Cheers,
LC
That sounds awesome that you were able to get a solo class. I bet the special attention really makes a difference. 🙂
oh my, it made a world of a difference. Talk about getting in tune with your body! whoa!
Wow – I’d love a private yoga session! Sounds ideal. I once got a private spin class for about 20 minutes, but that wasn’t quite the same. 🙂
I listen to little kid voices, the ones that appear next to my bed at 5:30 am saying ‘mom, I need to go to the bathroom,’ even though they are more than capable of going without telling me. It’s nice to be needed.
oh how cute. I am sure those voices are a lot more fun to listen to then our own sometimes. Those little voices also have a great mom that listens right back.
xxoo
So cool that you got a one-on-one session!! What type of yoga do you practice? I’ve only ever done Vinyasa and Bikram.
I go to a hot yoga studio. Its not as hot as bikram and the classes are 60-75 minutes. I LOVE IT! Vinyasa flow is my favorite too!
Aww, I loved reading this post! How cool 🙂
What a gift that yoga class was!
My body has been telling me to back off lately so, other than an hour-long daily bike ride and planting lots of fall bulbs, I pretty much am!
Good for you! I am excited for you in this healing process. I know you will come back stronger!
Sounds like a pretty incredible experience! One on one attention of any kind can be pretty incredible. I’m glad you stayed. I bet is was exactly what you needed!
oh more than you know. I needed to tune out a lot yesterday. I’m sure you can relate.
Wow, just reading your description about your yoga class was relaxing. Good on you for taking time for YOU and listening to your body!!
relaxing yet challenging. Best of both worlds really, ya know?
Oh, I would have LOVED that! I really enjoy taking yoga classes but rarely get to. I practice at home regularly but it’s always fun to have company, even if it is just the teacher.
Yummy food as always!
I have been praying that God will make your path very obvious and that you will feel peace in the decisions you make. His plans always work out better than ours anyways : )
Nicole
THank you Nicole. I can feel those prayers in a time of chaos! Means the WORLD to me.
<3
i had signed up for my first yoga class last night, but with my recent back issue, i couldnt go – so hopefully next week i can. i would love a 1-1 since i have never been, dont own any yoga outfits, and fear im going to look like a crazy newbie when i go! happy thursday friend!
no fear at all! go for it! I think you’ll like it but give it at least 3 times. so sorry about your back! What happened friend??
That was a cool day for you, 65-70! What a special practice you were able to enjoy, one on one time. Glad you listened to your body; I know how difficult that can be at times. Happy Thursday : )
Adore you!
happy thursday indeed friend. Here’s to a “cool” rest of the week, right?!
🙂
That’s such a cool opportunity to be able to practice one-on-one! When my good friend got yoga certified, I “hired” her to do a sesh with me to help me correct my alignment and get really deep into poses – best “class” I’ve ever had!
now that is cool! i would have loved that. I’d would have paid her in free meals! haha.
Yoga always seems to hit the spot, even when we don’t know we need it yet. How perfect, to have a one-on-one session 🙂
oh yes, yoga always has a way of surprising me, and in a good way!
yummy WIAW as usual- yum! what a great opportunity for a yoga class. Amazing what happens when you take the time to listen to what your body is saying to you 🙂 I’m still working on that one!
i think we all are working on that one. Comes and goes in waves, doesn’t it? Hows the leg? i loved the ohio pics!
I have really been craving Kombucha lately. I think I just need to give in and buy it online. Haha. That was awesome that you got a solo yoga lesson. I would love for that to happen. I haven’t found a yoga studio where I live now, but I’d really like to.
are trying to make your own kombucha or do you want to buy a bottle at the store? either way, you know I am all about it! hehe. I can help you if you want to make your own.
I’ve got to start doing more yoga… and weight training. I got a sports massage today… oww! But hopefully I’ll be ready for Sunday!
Have a great Thursday Lindsay!
oh good for you! a massage was needed, albeit was painful….in a good way. You’d like hot yoga Chuck. I bet tampa has some good studios there!
now that is a yoga class!!! how awesome is that you got to get a private lesson like that 🙂 I would love that. I need that. I should listen to my body too more often and do more yoga! it is hard though cause I do not really have 1 hr to give to the practice which I know sounds like an excuse but it is not. I will eventually find time for more yoga in my life 😉
no no totally understand the 1 hour. I have a yoga for cylist/runners and sometimes that is the best 25 minute video I can pop in for the day. You all would love it!!
What an amazing opportunity for a private session! As shy as I can be about getting one-on-one attention, I would really enjoy an instructor to focus on my strengths and where I need improvement.
I’m going through a big time of transition so I’ve been listening to a lot of “voices” (that sounds a little bonkers, doesn’t it? haha) and I’m just trying to determine which is “right”…for me, anyway.
not bonkers at all! those voices are there for reason and one of them is from your heart!
<3
I think that’s so wonderful! I would love one-on-one instruction from a passionate yoga teacher. I love classes packed full of people and great energy, but some of my favorite classes have been the ones with only a handful of students in the class. Glad you listened to your body, Linds!
i adore those classes too, when everyone’s energy pulls together and you can just feel the concentration. WOW, love it. But this was a whole new concentration, one where I had to pay attention to every little feeling in my body. It was quiet, it soft, but it was powerful.
<3
I think it’s so great that you were able to experience a one-on-one yoga class. It sounds like it was both nourishing and rejuvenating–just what your body requested! Isn’t it amazing how our intuition often leads us places that encourage us to grow?
My body told me this morning that today was a “no weights” day. So even though it was in the plan, I skipped and focused on cardio instead. I felt both physically and emotionally strong afterwards. 🙂
those non weight days can be very freeing. Like you are floating and releasing all that muslce tension. Lovely Sara. I hope today you are feeling stronger and FRESH!
What an amazing opportunity for a one-on-one yoga sesh!
I’m just starting to dip my toe into yoga (I’ve long been a pilates lover) and I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it. I love how it helps my very ADD personality center and really listen to my body. To think that I used to think yoga would be boring!
oh me too! i am ADD and it really helps me let go of that and just breathe, ya know?
I have tried yoga ONCE and I about fell over on my face!! haha
try it again. i think it takes at least 3 times to actually appreciate it. Oh and I fall on my face ALL the time! its okay, youre totally allowed to!
I’ve had a similar yoga situation happen to me and I was nervous at first, but I will never forget it, because it was so awesome. 🙂 My voice today was telling me “to accept my beauty” and I dedicated both of my practices to that today and I felt awesome, strong, confident, and beautiful inside and out. Happy Hump Day!
thats exactly how I felt. I knew you’d relate to this story. Awesome, yes! Will never forget it.
<3
I love this post – I was getting frustrated in a yoga class one day, when the instructor kept pausing class to show us “where we were going.” I was viewing yoga simply as a workout; I realized that he was teaching me how to deepen my practice by learning the “ins and outs” of each pose! It is so helpful, and I remember what he taught that day every time I practice yoga!
EXACTLY! wow, you spoke my very thoughts. We don’t go to yoga to workout, we go to deepen our practice, to learn, to appreciate our bodies abilities. Love it Laura, thank you!
hmmm my voice told me to keep taking bites of the brownie batter and crumbs, I obviously obliged 🙂 But now I’m paying for it… parked on the couch for the rest of the night in some pain. Must listen to my body a little more closely instead of my taste buds sometimes.
oh ive done that. Brownie batter can be evil like that. but a hot tea and a warm bath will help!
🙂
I LOVE that you got to take this class alone with an amazing teacher. I have never had one on one classes before, but I can see a great benefit from doing so.
oh you’d love it britt. Its a great way to learn and really challenge yourself mentally, ya know? By the way, i love hearing from you friend.
<3
U are so beautiful! I love that you have a positive and beautiful outlook : )
The voice I heard today was.. my own voice saying ” Katie you can do this, dont get stressed, take breaks when needed , and be SO excited for the end ! ”
In regards to packing today and moving tomorrow!
Love ya girl!
you are beautiful friend. Today will be done soon and the moving will be done very very soon! I have to move next week so i feel ya. Breathe, enjoy the new place, and sip on some good wine.
hehe.
Cheers lovely.
wow! sounds like it was incredible class…so glad you stayed 🙂 today a voice was telling me to REST. it is so hard for me to take a break…even now that I am on vacation. I am just go go go all the time. So when i woke up and wanted to jump out of bed at 7am…i allowed myself to sleep a little bit longer 🙂 what is the food with the bananas?? looks amazing!
way to go Jules! sleep, rest, and relax! you deserve this vacation and more!!
xxoo
I listened to my students and my heart… and I heard…
*Please just let us have a break and play! … They played Scrabble in Spanish all period (due to an assembly cutting out massive parts of the other class – same level). I was able to see what the knew, what came swiftly, what challenged them…and…
One of my very-very quiet ones became super social and opened up a bit!
*”Do NOT give a quiz today!” to my last rock stars (aka 2 classes of 6th graders). …. I color-coded 3 questions and had them give vocabulary related to them while 3 kids were scribes.
They did amazing and learned so many skills (scavenger hunting, team work, peer support, patience, feedback and critical thinking, and more)!
*”Thank you!” I heard a lot today. Each group was so grateful to have just what they needed… instead of being pushed in all sorts of “let’s just learn” ways.
*Best sound- happy hearts and smiles… mine included. Sometimes we just need to enjoy… and give ourselves a rest… or see what is really important… and let the other stuff go…
ms wendy, i love hearing about your day! I knew you’d appreciate this yoga story. All that fine detail leading to a day of thankfulness!!
This is great…wow! What a neat morning. It’s neat you weren’t worried or intimidated to do a solo yoga class; without much experience myself with yoga I think I’d be nervous. 😉 Glad you listened to your body. I listened to mine today…I wanted SO badly to try two loops around our local reservoir on this beautiful fall day (much like yours you described). I got out there and felt…well, terrible! Extra slow, everything was off, mentally not there (which is the most unusual for me), so I completed a lap, stopped at the car, sat on the curb and drank some water w/nuun and had a bite to eat. I left my long sleeve partly down the trail so I knew I had to run a little more…changed into my Vibrams and ran another 5 miles. Still a few miles short of my goal but I went slow, took walk breaks, and in that way listened to my body. Felt good, but it was also hard since I had that goal in my mind so clearly! Oh well – still glad I was out there. Loved hearing your story!
now I like your story too, it teaches us to breathe and think before we move. ya know? God can easily whisper to us what his temple needs. Glad you had a nice easy run friend.
LOVE that you got some personal time with someone so passionate about what she does! I look forward to catching up on your blogs – I was starting to get anxious…. haha!
Oh i am so glad to hear from you sweet pregnant friend. DOn’t get anxious, just start fresh!
Awesome post! That sounds like a fulfilling yoga class… listening to my body is my main goal right now, I am terrible at it and have been ignoring its needs for YEARS!!
Awesome post! That sounds like a fulfilling yoga class… listening to my body is my main goal right now, I am terrible at it and have been ignoring its needs for YEARS!
and I love that it is your new goal! its inspiring and just plain awesome Tessa!!
Yum! That sounds like a great yoga class! I’ve never really gotten into yoga, but I bet that if I experienced something like that I would like it a little more :).
i think every Lindsay needs to try yoga. Hot yoga will make you feel looser. Love it!
I totally thought you were going to say she was a crazy hard teach and everyone avoided her class. much to my relief, you had a fantastic time! perfect! (;
and now I’m hungry from those pics!
yes, much to my relief it was fantastic too! i thought you’d appreciate that Niki.
🙂
Wow– what a nice yoga experience!
My voice gave me a hint to not do yoga today…so I listened and did some gentle cardio instead 🙂
good call! how’s all that walking going and recreational activity? I love your whole new approach to wellness these days lisa.
What a nice surprise! Well done listening to your voice and choosing yoga today. Plus, did you think that perhaps that new teacher was happy at least ONE person came to class? It must be horrible to have a class set up and have no one there. I’m sure you made her day better as well!
i hope i made her day, cause she did awesome teaching solo! I just hope that doesn’t happen on a regular basis, haha.
a one on one class!!! that is awesomee so relaxingg!! and um I LOVE CALM! its my “go to” at bed time…helps me relax and settle down! love it 🙂
i need to try the drink at night, good call Emily! Hey hows Ryan??
This post put a big smile on my face. I am so excited they’re offering B2’s in the evening now, and was actually there last night. I hadn’t been to yoga in 2 weeks (an eternity for me, haha) due to life craziness, and I felt about 1000x better walking out an hour later 🙂 Any plans to go this weekend?!
i am so glad you got to go! although I will miss you in my morning class. I took emma’s class. Ever had her?
Can you believe that I have never done yoga? I just feel like I would be too anxious, and not be able to just concentrate on my body.
That’s awesome that you got one on one attention from the instructor!
I think you would enjoy it. Hot yoga especially. It is a good release and good for the mind!
wow – that is so great you had a solo hour! I used to trade with a dear friend – facials for yoga, and I had some amazing one on one yoga. she was teaching me how to breathe, which I sometimes forget how to do… 😉
that CALM drink – you know I’m going to check that out, right? I use magnelevures, a powdered lemon flavored mag. drink, but you know me. always need to try them all 😉
XO!
oh you’ll love this drink! I have a ton of samples, I am sending you some!!
I also have another sample that has maca in it. Finally, i get to try maca. Woo!
aw, YAY! thank you Linds! I love you! small things, but you just made my day! XO
It’s such a treat to get those “private” classes! It’s happened to me on a couple of occasions as well.
The reason I love yoga so much is due precisely to those voices. Meditation is my time to actually hear what the voices are telling me. I think I need my body to be completely still and my mind completely open to hear them. That’s why I take a little meditation time every day. It keeps me honest.
Today I heard “stop!” I’ve been moving too fast recently and I needed to be reminded to focus on each moment, not the next day or the weekend. T’was a good kick in the pants!
PS – I kind of want to know what’s going on in that second meal – it looks delicious! Do I spy an egg?
Yes, stop! its mid week and you deserve that time to reflect. I hope that paper is all done and finished so you can enjoy your MON day tomorrow.
oh and yes, that is an egg. mmm, my favorite.
I love your yoga story, Lindsay! As a yoga teacher myself, it is always an honour to teach a private yoga class and focus solely on one individual – and how lovely for you it must have been to have such an attentive and enthusiastic teacher 🙂 Yoga really is incredbily healing, soothing and therapeutic…I’ve been craving some practice so much in the last week, and tomorrow I should listen to my body’s request for mat-time and roll out the yoga rug <3 Thank you for planting this positive seed in my mind and setting awonderful example! xyx
I wish I could come take your class, or rather I wish i could get a one on one with you. I just know I’d learn so much! enjoy your mat tomorrow!
I did Yoga yesterday for the first time in months, and I felt so refreshed! I’ve forgotten how much I love it! OMG. Your food. Ohhh, the food. 🙂
its a great feeling, refreshed in a whole new way, ya know?
will have to hit up this studio next time i’m in austin – i love trying new yoga places when out of town 🙂
yes, please do! and I’ll come with you!!
what a great way to start your day!
yes m’am, great start. Good think that mind took a back seat today. haha!
Lindsay I’m so glad you had a great practice — one on one attention is always nice!
My body has been telling me to just keep going and to be patient about getting results — I’m moving in the right direction and I need to just keep going.
patience indeed. A little a day will go a long way! stay healthy first.
xxoo
Great post and I am so glad you listenned. I am working on listening and I’m getting better. Today I went out for a tempo run and my body was tight and told me to run easy. Normally I would have pushed for the workout but instead I ran a relaxed 5 miles and then went home and stretched. I felt amazing afterwards.
All of the food looks scumptious as usual. 🙂
good for you lady! Your little body needs some stretching and easy days. Its been through a lot but I know you are getting stronger!
that’s kind of awesome 🙂 wish people didn’t show up for the yoga classes i’ve gone to! horray for that nourished, confident feeling! (and listening to your body!)
it was a nice surprise, i agree. A free one on one!
Oooooh what a nice class! I bet you got a lot out of that 🙂
My body said it’s HUNGRY after looking at these photos, I need to have a 2nd lunch LOL
oh yes second lunches are the best. You need them will all our training you are doing!!
lucky lady. i know how that can be totally awkward but how great, you got a completely free session out of it. awesomeness 🙂 🙂
i felt like a celebrity who hired their personal yoga instructor, haha.
WOW!! That is an amazing yoga experience. I would get a TON out of a 1:1 yoga class where the focus is on me, my form, my confidence in my movements. So very cool that she left such an impression on you!! Glad you are feeling nourished with confidence (and some tasty looking eats!)
I listened today by *not* running this morning and giving myself some extra sleep. My body will thank me tonight when I’m fresh at the barre for class. 🙂
yes, your barre class will be even better now. Fresh and fantastic. I wish I could come replace your sister for the week!
🙂
This happened to me once. But the teacher was male. And very cute. And I was a college girl.
After a while I got overmyself but there was some initial akwardness I had to abate. It was a true Yoga session — I really had to get over the ego thing and stay present.
But man, He was cute. In a “I spent 6 years on a Bikram Commune after High School” sort of way.
i don’t know if I’d stay if it as a man. I bet he was fabulous, don’t get me wrong, but I’d be afraid he’d literally push me too hard on a position and God know what sound might come out of me. hehe.
Also has happened to me.
And yes…”that one” *blush*
Sometimes a one-on-one class is the best kind. Every once in a while I’d be the only one or one of 2 or 3 for a ballet class and I loved it. They tend to be harder, but in a good way.
I listened today and got out there for a really good speed workout run. Now ask me again how I’m feeling about that run in a few hours 😉
yes, it really challenged me, in a good way. Glad you got that speed workout in, tonight you ca relax!
Cheers 🙂