Yoga, fitness photos, and more dancing :)

Yoga is awesome.
I’ve been doing yoga for almost a decade now. For a few months, I’ll be really into it and practicing regularly, then for a few months, I let it slip by the wayside. This year, I’ve made it my goal to include more yoga in my weekly routine, because it forces me to focus on my own body, my own capabilities, and I strongly feel that yoga helps me avoid running injuries. One of the most amazing things about yoga is the self-awareness that it brings to my normal fitness routine. For a while now, I’ve been focusing on a progression that leads to Pincha Mayurasana. While Brian and I were at an after-hours gym shoot on Tuesday, we played around in the mind and body studio and came up with this incredible shot.

I am so proud of being able to bring myself into that pose and I’m amazed at what I can do. Looking at that photo brings me a super cool feeling of being equally proud of myself for being the subject, and of my husband, for being the awesome photog that he is.
Here’s a few photos of the beautiful woman who teaches yoga at my gym, Karen. 🙂

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to volunteer up at the health care center in Wausau. They are having their “prom” on Friday, and we wanted to help the staff make it a memorable event. Dale and I, along with a few of our students, taught a few mini-lessons on foxtrot, waltz, and swing to the staff. We also did demos for the residents: waltz, foxtrot, a swing style medley, cha cha, and Viennese waltz. The icing on the cake was being able to dance with the residents. We pushed a few of them around in their wheelchairs, and held their hands and moved to the best. I got to dance with a 91-year old man! His smile was so big, it warmed my heart.

I started out my morning over at Adventure 212. Sometimes I feel like I live there!!
I’ve been doing a bunch of fitness and food photos for them lately, and I have a great time. Here’s a few shots from my recent work over there.

This is Michelle and Sarah- I just had to grab a quick photo of them before they left for their ride. How cute are they?!

After finishing up today’s shoot, I ran a couple miles and did 20 minutes on the elliptical in preparation for my calf massage. I’ve been having a rough time with my calves this week- they’ve been very sensitive, tight, and they have the tendency to cramp up when under any pressure. Tom at 212 is my sports massage guy, and he knows his stuff. I prepared myself for a little relaxation and a lot of pain.

He helped me out with those calves, and gave me some suggestions as far as heat and stretching to prepare for Sunday’s race.
After I showered, I noticed that I couldn’t get the ends of my hair apart. Those split ends just locked on to each other and became one curly, nasty mess. I looked in my calendar and realized that I haven’t gotten a haircut since October. Ridiculous, I know. I called my stylist to see how long it would be until I could get an appointment… And she had a cancellation, so I drove right over there after my massage for a haircut. I have incredible luck!
I was so overdue for a haircut that the bottom couple inches of my hair were dried and splitting, and my bangs almost reached my chin.

Luckily, Tammy over at Trendsetters Act II made quick work of my mop and I ended up with a shorter (and curly-er, if that’s possible!) hair style. I love it!

A quick stop at the co-op on the way home to pick up some basics- spinach, soup, and coconut- and I was on my way home. It was great to catch up with my favorite co-op brothers, Noah and Luke.

Brian wins the husband-of-the-day award by cooking a delicious dinner of spaghetti with chicken. He even made homemade sauce! Bless his heart.

Miles this year: 197.2