(no subject)
I went to my first hot yoga class this weekend. There is a place really close to our house that offers 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $5 for first-timers. I admit that I was completely terrified of the whole idea, and my heart instantly started racing when I walked into the 102F/40% humidity room. I was afraid of passing out, of having to leave halfway through, of not being to do any of the elementary poses. I've done yoga in the past, but never like this, and it's been quite a while since I've practiced. Still, I grabbed a block, set my water close by, and lay on my mat to try and gain some calm before the class started.
As we started the class off with some vinyasas I began to relax and feel comfortable in the muscle-memory of the sun salutations. (Any true yoga buffs reading please forgive me if I am off in any of my terminology.) The instructor was kind, and interspersed a few breaks with child's pose throughout the 60 minutes, and, while it was definitely the most difficult time I've had doing yoga, I also felt incredibly relaxed and refreshed after it was done. It's definitely something I hope I can keep up with, but I'm setting the goal small at going weekly for now. I am sore in various places today, namely my triceps, sides, and hamstrings. Hoping getting back into this will help my riding and my soul, too.
Speaking of riding, I had the rare opportunity to ride after work today. The horses haven't gotten turn out in over a week now due to nasty weather, so Ringo was appropriately fresh, and a little too willing to canter. Still, we got some good work in, as I tried to practice all that we learned in our lesson last week. I'm still struggling with riding with an "open" knee, but working on it. Ringo really did try for the majority of the ride. It seems he is happy to be going back to regular work.
I'm going to copycat feather_armor and do this list meme. I'm going to try and do a few at once today and tomorrow in order to have it all finished up by the New Year. Sorry in advance for the friends' list spam!
10 Things I Do Every Day
(1) Drink coffee.
And can not start the day without it, though I usually only drink one cup a day. During the week Noah and I rely on our auto-coffee maker, but on the weekends we treat ourselves to French Press. I can't have it without a splash of International Delight's French Vanilla creamer, try as I might to wean myself onto something healthier.
(2) Listen to NPR.
Unless I don't leave the house, that is. I almost exclusively listen to NPR when I'm driving, and equally love All Things Considered, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, This American Life, Science Friday, The Car Guys, Fresh Air... OK, there's too many to name. I love it all!
(3) Eat Breakfast.
Preferably as soon as I wake up. I've never understood how people can live without it. Elizabeth (my college roommate/cousin) and I would always get up and have breakfast at the dining hall together in college, and it was pleasantly empty and quiet there since all of the more normal college students saved their two dining hall meals for lunch and dinner. If I'm feeling plucky enough to get up with my alarm on weekdays I'll sit and have a bowl of cereal, or a bagel and yogurt, and, of course, some coffee and watch a few minutes of the news before I go through with getting dressed. If I'm more rushed I have a bagel and coffee in the car on the way to work. On Sundays I usually prod and plead with Noah to make something for me as soon as I wake up. He spoils me with omelets, fritattas, hash browns, eggs in a basket, pancakes -- really whatever we have on hand, and French Press coffee and juice. We sit and watch TV and Netflix for a while before we start the day.
(4) Touch a horse.
I am usually around horses at a minimum of 6 days a week, with few exceptions. As one of the vets I work with said, when I go on vacation, or miss work for a few days, I start to crave the feel, aroma, sight of a horse. I'm so thankful to be able to make a (very, very modest) living in a small facet of the equine industry.
(5) Snuggle with the dogs.
Noah has a more regular schedule than I do, so he is typically in charge of walking and feeding them, but I always make time for some lovin', especially with Lou in bed before falling asleep. Jane really isn't much of a snuggler, but I force her into it sometimes.
(6) Watch TV/Netflix.
While it pains me to admit it, this is very, very true. It's ironic that, growing up, my parents only allowed us kids to watch 1 hour of TV a day. Now I'm known to binge-watch shows on Netflix, and have the TV on in the background while I do almost anything. I'm working on changing the habit, but I do like having such easy access to information, and the background noise. Noah and I don't have cable, though, so that has to count for something, right?
(7) Drink alcohol.
OK, so this isn't really a strict every day occurrence, but it does happen frequently enough that I'll add it here. Usually it's just a good beer or glass of wine with dinner or at the end of the day, but occasionally I imbibe a little more. I certainly don't have the sort of tolerance I wore as a badge of honor in college, and now I have just barely enough money to afford quality beer that I truly enjoy having a great Belgian (my fave) at the end of a long day.
(8) Shower/Bathe
This is more out of necessity than any sort of germaphobia. I don't mind going a few days without showering, but with the surplus amount of true grit I seem to accumulate during the workdays I have no choice but to wash it all off at the end of the day. I love relaxing in a bath, which is something that seems to be innate, as my mom always jokes that whenever I was upset as a baby a bath would calm me right down. The inclusion of a bathtub was at the top of the "Want" list as we house-hunted, especially after having to live without one at the old place. Having a tub combined with a Lush store nearby now has made for a slightly dangerous combination, but for now I am indulging in it.
(9)Wear glasses
For some reason I have never been able to adjust to having contacts, as they always make me feel like I have a plank of wood in my eye. So, glasses it is. I've had them since the 5th or 6th grade, and now they are pretty much a part of my persona. Recently I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses, which was especially important to me with all the driving I do at work. I do hope to one day get Lasik, but for now I'm fine with the specs. They're the first thing I reach for in the morning.
(10)Check Facebook/LJ/Reddit/Instagram/etc.
Yep. Can't help myself.
As we started the class off with some vinyasas I began to relax and feel comfortable in the muscle-memory of the sun salutations. (Any true yoga buffs reading please forgive me if I am off in any of my terminology.) The instructor was kind, and interspersed a few breaks with child's pose throughout the 60 minutes, and, while it was definitely the most difficult time I've had doing yoga, I also felt incredibly relaxed and refreshed after it was done. It's definitely something I hope I can keep up with, but I'm setting the goal small at going weekly for now. I am sore in various places today, namely my triceps, sides, and hamstrings. Hoping getting back into this will help my riding and my soul, too.
Speaking of riding, I had the rare opportunity to ride after work today. The horses haven't gotten turn out in over a week now due to nasty weather, so Ringo was appropriately fresh, and a little too willing to canter. Still, we got some good work in, as I tried to practice all that we learned in our lesson last week. I'm still struggling with riding with an "open" knee, but working on it. Ringo really did try for the majority of the ride. It seems he is happy to be going back to regular work.
I'm going to copycat feather_armor and do this list meme. I'm going to try and do a few at once today and tomorrow in order to have it all finished up by the New Year. Sorry in advance for the friends' list spam!
10 Things I Do Every Day
(1) Drink coffee.
And can not start the day without it, though I usually only drink one cup a day. During the week Noah and I rely on our auto-coffee maker, but on the weekends we treat ourselves to French Press. I can't have it without a splash of International Delight's French Vanilla creamer, try as I might to wean myself onto something healthier.
(2) Listen to NPR.
Unless I don't leave the house, that is. I almost exclusively listen to NPR when I'm driving, and equally love All Things Considered, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, This American Life, Science Friday, The Car Guys, Fresh Air... OK, there's too many to name. I love it all!
(3) Eat Breakfast.
Preferably as soon as I wake up. I've never understood how people can live without it. Elizabeth (my college roommate/cousin) and I would always get up and have breakfast at the dining hall together in college, and it was pleasantly empty and quiet there since all of the more normal college students saved their two dining hall meals for lunch and dinner. If I'm feeling plucky enough to get up with my alarm on weekdays I'll sit and have a bowl of cereal, or a bagel and yogurt, and, of course, some coffee and watch a few minutes of the news before I go through with getting dressed. If I'm more rushed I have a bagel and coffee in the car on the way to work. On Sundays I usually prod and plead with Noah to make something for me as soon as I wake up. He spoils me with omelets, fritattas, hash browns, eggs in a basket, pancakes -- really whatever we have on hand, and French Press coffee and juice. We sit and watch TV and Netflix for a while before we start the day.
(4) Touch a horse.
I am usually around horses at a minimum of 6 days a week, with few exceptions. As one of the vets I work with said, when I go on vacation, or miss work for a few days, I start to crave the feel, aroma, sight of a horse. I'm so thankful to be able to make a (very, very modest) living in a small facet of the equine industry.
(5) Snuggle with the dogs.
Noah has a more regular schedule than I do, so he is typically in charge of walking and feeding them, but I always make time for some lovin', especially with Lou in bed before falling asleep. Jane really isn't much of a snuggler, but I force her into it sometimes.
(6) Watch TV/Netflix.
While it pains me to admit it, this is very, very true. It's ironic that, growing up, my parents only allowed us kids to watch 1 hour of TV a day. Now I'm known to binge-watch shows on Netflix, and have the TV on in the background while I do almost anything. I'm working on changing the habit, but I do like having such easy access to information, and the background noise. Noah and I don't have cable, though, so that has to count for something, right?
(7) Drink alcohol.
OK, so this isn't really a strict every day occurrence, but it does happen frequently enough that I'll add it here. Usually it's just a good beer or glass of wine with dinner or at the end of the day, but occasionally I imbibe a little more. I certainly don't have the sort of tolerance I wore as a badge of honor in college, and now I have just barely enough money to afford quality beer that I truly enjoy having a great Belgian (my fave) at the end of a long day.
(8) Shower/Bathe
This is more out of necessity than any sort of germaphobia. I don't mind going a few days without showering, but with the surplus amount of true grit I seem to accumulate during the workdays I have no choice but to wash it all off at the end of the day. I love relaxing in a bath, which is something that seems to be innate, as my mom always jokes that whenever I was upset as a baby a bath would calm me right down. The inclusion of a bathtub was at the top of the "Want" list as we house-hunted, especially after having to live without one at the old place. Having a tub combined with a Lush store nearby now has made for a slightly dangerous combination, but for now I am indulging in it.
(9)Wear glasses
For some reason I have never been able to adjust to having contacts, as they always make me feel like I have a plank of wood in my eye. So, glasses it is. I've had them since the 5th or 6th grade, and now they are pretty much a part of my persona. Recently I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses, which was especially important to me with all the driving I do at work. I do hope to one day get Lasik, but for now I'm fine with the specs. They're the first thing I reach for in the morning.
(10)Check Facebook/LJ/Reddit/Instagram/etc.
Yep. Can't help myself.