Run, Judie, Run

Wow, it’s been a long time since I last updated my blog.  I apologize. I have been very sick. Right after I returned home from my yoga retreat weekend, I started to feel achy and sore.  I thought if I ignored it, I would feel better. Instead, I progressively got worse each passing day. I finally dragged myself to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. I never had this before and I hope to never have it again. Weeks later, I am more or less back to normal except I am still coughing! I have not been getting much exercise besides an occasional walk.

However, despite feeling not my best, I decided to attempt to run this morning. I have always admired and envied runners. I have always wanted to experience that “runner’s high”. I have many, many friends and neighbors who run. So, even though I am still coughing up a lung, I decided to just get out there and see what happened.

Actually, I did do a bit of research before putting on my sneakers. I had heard of a program called Couch To 5k.  For the first week, they recommend: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. However, another site recommended a bit more running: Week 1: Run 2 min, walk 3 min; repeat 6 times.

I started off with a brisk walk on the way to the park.  I wanted to run around a paved path at a nearby park. Then, I started running. It was a lot harder than I imagined. I have not been able to work out in weeks since I haven’t been well and I really felt it. I felt so out of shape! However, I kept on reminding myself to take it easy.  I am not even sure how long I ran. But, I am feeling good and proud of myself for getting started. 

 

 

Why Do You Exercise?

When reading the October 2009 issue of Shape magazine, I came across an interesting factoid.  According to a recent survey co-sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, most women are not exercising to lose weight. In fact, their #1 reason to work out is to stay healthy. Not only that, 80% said that “even if there was a magic pill to keep fit, they’d still exercise because the love the mood boost it gives them.”

I was a bit surprised when I read that. Many of my friends complain about their weight and wanting to lose weight. I suspect that is their main motivation to exercising. As for me, it’s usually a little of both. I (usually) love exercising and feeling fit and strong but, at the same time, I want to be fit and lean.

Shape also features an article on the multiple benefits of exercise. The more days you exercise, the fewer sick days you will experience. The article states “work out for 30 minutes a day and you’ll catch half as many colds this year, according to a study in the American Journal of Medicine.”  You will also sleep better, feel happier and feel less stressed. Sounds good to me!

Grounded

This past weekend, I embarked on my annual weekend yoga retreat at Race Brooke Lodge.  The retreat was led by Jillian Pransky. This was my third time at the retreat and it was amazing as usual. Jillian focused on grounding poses and getting us ready for the Fall and Winter.  We spent hours practicing yoga, participated in an invigorating drumming circle, took two walking meditations (one in the rain) and to-die-for- healthy and yummy food. It was amazing.

Many friends, when they heard about my trip, commented on how envious they were of my trip. I know the feeling. I used to feel the same way when I heard other women talking about such trips. One mom took me aside and said “Just plan it.  It’s not as if my husband plans this for me. Do it.” I took that advice. And, I share that advice with my friends.

More Tracy News

I just read this interesting blog post on Perez Hilton.  He wrote all about Tracy Anderson’s shady past.  Is this supposed to be new information!?!  Has anyone ever heard of google??

Breaking News: Madonna Dumps Tracy

Are you all as surprised as I am!?!?  I just read that Madonna has terminated her relationship with Tracy Anderson.  I wonder what type of workout Madonna will endorse next.  I always found it hard to believe that Madonna used 3 pound weights.  Give me a break!

Catch Up Time

It’s been a while since I last blogged. I apologize for that. I don’t know where the time has gone. On Monday, I was overcome with sadness because Conde Nast shut down four magazines, including one that I have been freelancing for the past two years. I was surprised at how I reacted to the news. My husband has been saying that magazines are dead. I know many others believe that. But, I refuse to believe it. I love magazines! I am a magazine whore! My neighbors and I share our magazines. We have a rotation amongst four of us. We all subscribe to different ones and then share them. 

I am praying I still get paid for my work. My editor assures me they will but I keep on reading blog post after blog post from disgruntled now ex- Conde Nasters. It’s devastating when you see your world coming to an end of sorts…

I also immersed myself in energy work this week. On Tuesday, I went to my beloved yoga instructor, Amy, for my Tuesday class. Instead of the usual 4 students, there was only one other student. We sat on Amy’s couch, each of us holding a warm cup of tea to talk before class. Funny thing is, we never stopped talking. An hour and a half later, we were still talking. We talked and shed tears. All of us! It was amazing. Ever since that conversation, I have felt a shift. For the past few years, there was a part of me that I did not like. I saw this part nearly every day. I begged it to go away. I sought help. And, now, suddenly, it’s gone. Not completely, a small part remains but it’s a healthy, balanced part. That night, I climbed into bed at 8 pm. My husband was worried and kept on asking me what was wrong. “I am just exhausted. Maybe I am getting sick,” I responded. And off to bed I went.

I woke up on Wednesday feeling ok.  I had a session with a Tibetan guru, Suren Shrestha. I had my own private healing bowl ceremony. The woman who came out before me simply glowed and radiated as she told her friend how amazing it was. Sadly, I did not have the same experience. It was a nice, relaxing session but I wasn’t sure I was altered in any way.

I did share with him about that part of myself I wanted to release and I know he did something. Pulled the negative energy out of me. Suren was a very kind and gentle soul. He was exactly how I imagined a Tibetan guru would be like! I am thankful I had the opportunity to meet him and experience his work.

On Thursday, I saw Amy again. She gave me a Reiki session and another Level 1 attunement. During the session, I had a couple of visions. It is so cool! Even after I left her house and got into my car, the world around me appeared different. I saw the number of one hour, 3, become a Sacred Symbol. I know, that sounds crazy right? But it’s true.

Oddly enough, ever since then, I have not had the same sensation when I perform Reiki. My hands do not get hot and I don’t feel the same draw as before. I don’t know what happened! Of course I called Amy who encouraged me to go with the flow. She explained that sensations change all the time. So, I am taking a deep breath and keep on plugging along. Going with the flow!

What A Long, Strange Trip….

The past couple of days have been very magical. On Thursday, I received my Reiki Level 1 attunement. I shared the day with my amazing teacher, Amy, who led the class. Five other women participated. What exactly is Reiki? “The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”

I find it hard to explain in my own words what it is or how it feels. When I receive Reiki treatments from Amy, I tend to have visions. Most recently I have felt as if I were flying or that an Angel is behind me or that I am the one with these huge wings. 

I will admit I had pretty high expectations of this attunement. I thought something huge and different would happen. I expected the world to look different, colors will appear brighter or more vivid. Out of the group, I was the only one who immediately experienced a warmth in my hands after I gave Reiki to myself. Later that evening, I gave everyone in my family (my husband and two daughters) Reiki. They all said my hands felt very warm but when they touched my hands, they were not warm! My youngest said “I’m falling asleep Mommy.” The amount of joy and love that surged through my body as I gave them Reiki was enormous.

I have been giving myself Reiki 24/7. I do feel calmer and more relaxed but it certainly doesn’t feel the same when Amy does it. During the class, she mentioned that giving yourself Reiki is like massaging your feet. It feels much better when someone else does it!

I am very excited to continue my Reiki journey. I will be seeing Amy next week for another treatment. She will also be offering further classes and attunements.

Last night, I attended a Healing Meditation done with Tibetan Singing Bowls done by Suren Shrestha. It was a very blissful experience. I felt so lucky to be one of the few participants who had a singing bowl placed on their heart chakra. It felt wonderful!

Has my life changed? Not really. But I have a feeling it will….

Ready For Reiki

Tomorrow is the big day! I will finally receive my Reiki Level 1 attunement. I have been waiting for this for months. I cannot believe it is almost here.

My beloved yoga teacher, Amy, is also a Reiki Master, among many other talents and abilities. There will be 5 other students in the class. I know most of the other students but a couple I have only met once or twice. I feel it will be an interesting experience!

Amy sent us a few links to read up on Reiki. One stated that you should detox before getting attuned. I have not drank any coffee or caffeine for the past few days. Hmm, I wonder if that explains the pounding headache I had today!?! I have refrained from any alcohol but I have had chocolate. Sorry Reiki Guides! One article stated I should be meditating for one hour a day for one week prior. Wow. That did not happen. Who are those people? They must not have children.

Amy told us not to stress about this. She reassured us that we are exactly where we need to be. Ahhh….  Until tomorrow, my friends.

Turn Off The Volume

I had an interesting experience this morning.  I had a conversation with my yoga instructor, Amy.  Amy is also a Reiki Master and will be hosting a Reiki Level 1 attunement class on Thursday. I have been waiting for this for months and I am very excited. We were talking about her plans for the day and she mentioned part of the class will be in silence. As everyone is getting privately attuned, the rest of us will have to be silent. I totally get that. However, she went as far to say that perhaps we should eat our lunch in silence too. To give ourselves a bit of quiet time to settle into our new energy. I thought it was a good idea.

After our conversation, I headed to the gym to take a Sculpting class. The instructor did not put on any music. I was pretty surprised as her classes are very energetic and she always plays the best music. This time, she said “let’s focus on our work. Let’s truly feel our bodies and muscles burning”. I could not help but wonder if the Universe was trying to tell me something considering I just had a conversation about silence.

Do you spend any part of your day in complete and utter silence?

Gym Yoga

I took a yoga class at the gym this morning.  Just the other day my husband and I were talking about why I enjoy practicing with my amazing yoga teacher, Amy, so much when my gym offered yoga classes.  I explained how it’s hard for me to get into the yoga mode when I can hear all the grunting and slamming of the equipment of the “muscle men” as the yoga studio is right near where all the body builders tend to work out.  It’s hard to be zen when you hear all that racket.

This morning I had to be back home at a certain hour since my older daughter had a soccer game, so Ashtanga Yoga it was. There was a time when I practiced Ashtanga, aka, Power, Yoga often. It’s been a while and I had forgotten how challenging of a workout it is and how much I enjoyed it.

However, I certainly missed Amy. For one, this teacher did not introduce herself. To give her credit, it’s one of my pet peeves. I like it when teachers introduce themselves. I’m sure most teachers have their regulars, but who cares. Greet your students! It’s not so hard to say “Hello, my name is so and so.” She also did not ask anyone of they had any injuries she had to be aware of and worst of all, she didn’t even give us a warm up. We immediately went to Sun Salutations. Maybe that is the way most teachers teach but I have gotten accustomed to how Amy teaches so this felt weird. 

Overall, I did leave feeling the class as if I had gotten a good workout. Will I return? Probably. It’s nice to have that option. But I still love my Amy!