Yoga & Tempeh Steaks.

So, yesterday morning I took a long overdue Yoga class. Between being busy as all hell, subconsiously avoiding Yoga, and ‘my’ class being rescheduled the start of the new year, it had been a long time. Too long.

I’m not quite sure why I had been avoiding Yoga. Perhaps because I’m one of those people that needs quick results, instant gratification. A clear goal and purpose for everything I do. And as for Yoga, I haven’t found my clear goal yet, and I don’t see immidiate results (well, doh, if you don’t know what your goal is ). When I picked up my Yoga book the day before yesterday and started reading I stumbled upon something quite interesting. The book said to not expect too much too soon from Yoga. You can’t compare it to other ‘sports’. Instead, Yoga has it’s own purpose in every individual’s life and this doesn’t mean Yoga doesn’t have a purpose for you if you don’t know what it is from the start. The best thing to do when new to Yoga, is create consistency.

Well how about that? I have decided to dedicate each Yoga session to something small for myself, such as relaxation, meditation, or loosening up, and see what happens. Today’s session was amazing. Ashtanga Yoga (power yoga) is quite tough but that’s what I love. I’m grunting and having hot flashes, without sweating, all the way through. Today’s class was very full (I used to take this class at 7AM on Friday’s, now it’s at 9:30 and boy does that make a difference to people! Normally we were with 3-5 students). I was very displeased to see it was so crowded and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up but at all. It proved to be very doable however, maybe even fun! It was great to see so many people focusing on poses, having trouble or being steady as brick. There were even 2 guys, one onviously very experienced and his friend, a total newbie. I could see he wasn’t flexible at all but I was amazed at how he kept up! I was rooting for him . And as it turned out I remembered most Asanas (poses) which was a relief. I dedicated this session to experience, to see what would happen and how I would feel in the body and mind, and I felt geat. On top of the world. I felt flexible and bendy and strong and agile and balanced (ok, except for some poses where I felt like an 80 year old woman missing a leg and an arm ). I only drank a juice before class which actually felt really nice. It felt nice to feel pure and light and empty so my intestines could work with me instead of being in the way. I will dedicate next week’s session to feeling every muscle in my body.

Chaturanga & cobra, my favorite poses

As far as running goes, I haven’t upped my mileage since my birthday run, which was about 7.5 km. I should start running in the forest again. Wednesday morning me and the boy ran early morning which was so nice we want to make it a regular thing, so we’re going again this morning.

Don’t worry, I didn’t run in this!! This is what I wear when working out indoors: bra, top & boxers. I always get too warm working out indoors! I did a really nice 16 minute HIIT interval training yesterday which made me sweat & pant plenty!

Some eats:

These. Were. Amazing!! Even the boy LOVED ‘em. Instead of ‘not minding’ tempeh . Simply cut tempeh in half, cut diagonal (and, optinally, cut in half again) and marinate for at least an hour (after cooking in water for 10 minutes). Pan bake. Fall off your chair with the first bite. Veganomicon at it’s best.

I was out of banana this morning so I doubled up on the nut butter. I have finally reached a decision: toasted, salted pecan butter is my FAV (for now?).

mm… yeahh…. I was a bit too enthusiastic when it came to this mornings juice. It was too celery/green tasting, so I dumped an organge in there. Which turned out to be a blood orange when I peeled it, so the juice became very bitter. So I dumped stevia in it and it tasted.. weird. Still drank it though, I am hardcore :p

Pretty cool color palet though huh?

What do you wear when working out? Different gear for differents types of working out?

Love,

Sabine