Mind, Body, Spirit and Pumpkin Spice

Mind, Body, Spirit and Pumpkin Spice

Anyone who knows me knows that I have the athletic inclination of a slug.  I'm all about minimum effort for maximum results.  That being said, I discovered that I no longer have the metabolism I did at 16, 26 or even 36 and I had to do SOMETHING.  I tried working out with a trainer which was great because I had to be accountable to show up, but way too pricey for my allotted workout budget of $0 (directly correlated to my desire to do it!).  I tried walking, exercise videos at home, Zumba and Body Pump.  None of them did it for me.  I really wanted to try yoga.  Mostly because a few people who know me and do yoga thought it would not only benefit my body, but perhaps my stress level and hyperness that one person related to watching a Chihuahua yip around.  

I am absolutely NOT the "mind, body and spirit" kind of gal.  I'm the "looking good trumps feeling good" kind of gal.  Again, minimum effort, maximum return.  Unless it's about food, and then I'm all about feeling good!  Comfort food is my absolute downfall.  But after about a year of saying I wanted to try yoga, my friend finally convinced me to try Bikram Yoga with her.  

Oh.My.God.  It is amazing.  Seriously.  It's the feeling I chased for years achieved naturally! And it has the bonus of soothing my mind, body and spirit.  It is an intense work out, and cleansing too.  And it makes me WANT to treat my body better.  Yes, me, the "I'll starve before I eat a salad or vegetable" poster girl.  Now, I'm not saying I'm going vegan and quitting coffee, sugar or processed foods.  BUT - I'm interested in learning more about making little changes here and there to help be a little healthier.  Like using canola oil instead of the hydrogenated clog your arteries oil.  Or quinoa instead of rice.  Maybe just a little moderation applied to my life like I'm trying to teach my kids.  Instead of a Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Tastykake, maybe the Latte and some fruit.  

So this morning I'm off to a great yoga studio I absolutely recommend and want to share with the world.  www.gladwyneyoga.com  Owned by a FCS graduate class of '87 Emily Kaplan, who as a bonus, did not make me feel like the dorky, loser, social retard I was in high school.