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Thanks, Gray and Leah
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
RUN YOGA EAT
Sunday Runday
What?:
Run + Yoga + Vegan Breakfast
When?:
Every Sunday
First Group 8am - 1.5 hour run
Second Group 8:30am - 1 hour run
Third Group 9:00am - 30 min run
**You can leave anytime before/between/after these times.
Yoga starts at 9:30 - 30 - 45 min yin sequence
Breakfast to follow
Who?:
EVERYONE!
Naturally there will be fast runners and medium fast runners and runners who get to enjoy the outdoors for longer than everyone else. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend who you know will run your pace, and then you will be sure to have a running partner.
*Even if you run by yourself you get an awesome YIN YOGA class and breakfast. Its win win!
Where?:
Barton Creek Green Belt trail head next to Barton Springs (just to the right of the bathrooms on the Zilker side in front of the theater)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Moving Meditation
I recently started yoga teacher training. For those who know me, it is no secret that I think yoga is one of the most powerful training tools for running. Running for me can be a moving meditation when I am moving intentionally (on a good day!). Every step is a moment in time and anticipating the future can lead to dread and possibly a sprained ankle or nasty spill if you are on technical trails. That goes back to my blog posts about intention below.
Yoga has also brought a lightness to my running. In many poses, there is a goal of creating a lightness in your hips and through your ribs. Today I saw a man running, who was moving so effortlessly he looked as though he was floating off his hips. I was suddenly hit with an awareness about Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog). Who knew this pose you do probably every time you go to yoga class could mean so much for your running form? My yoga teachers, Hilly Flora and Ben Heath - Nadi Yogi, taught me a little trick yesterday that lead to this new awareness. Try it now (even if you are at work!). From all fours tuck your toes and then push back into downward facing dog. Once you are there, tuck your chin and look at your navel while still keeping a flat back. Feel that lift through your lower stomach into your chest. Then let your head and neck relax and feel the lightness through your ribs. Next time you are running bring that same awareness to your form. A ever so slight bend at the waste draws your pelvic floor up creating a lightness over your hips up into your ribs (If you don't know what I mean about a slight bend in your waste YouTube Kenyan runners). This allows for a deeper breath (with a SLIGHT tuck of the chin), and prevents you from sinking into your hips. This is very different from the chest out over your feet approach that you hear a lot. Most people who have been running competitively since they were kids will do what I have mentioned about naturally, so they are not quite sure why they are leaning forward slightly. That leads to the "lean your chest forward" instruction. However that often leads people to stick out their butt creating a sway in the back. This cuts off all the power from your core by dumping your pelvic floor forward. Cultivating that core power is what makes you light on your hips. You will also hear and read a lot about landing on your forefoot. Focusing on landing on your forefoot or mid-foot is simply a means to an end. Really if you create that space through your core you will either land and push off your forefoot if that is how you are built structurally or you will be balanced and drive through your core without landing on your forefoot. Either is equally "right" for you.
I am not much on coaching running form because like in yoga every pose is different for every body, but I think there are key points of intention. Brining these intentions to your running form may enhance your running and create a lightness of movement and mind.
Yoga has also brought a lightness to my running. In many poses, there is a goal of creating a lightness in your hips and through your ribs. Today I saw a man running, who was moving so effortlessly he looked as though he was floating off his hips. I was suddenly hit with an awareness about Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog). Who knew this pose you do probably every time you go to yoga class could mean so much for your running form? My yoga teachers, Hilly Flora and Ben Heath - Nadi Yogi, taught me a little trick yesterday that lead to this new awareness. Try it now (even if you are at work!). From all fours tuck your toes and then push back into downward facing dog. Once you are there, tuck your chin and look at your navel while still keeping a flat back. Feel that lift through your lower stomach into your chest. Then let your head and neck relax and feel the lightness through your ribs. Next time you are running bring that same awareness to your form. A ever so slight bend at the waste draws your pelvic floor up creating a lightness over your hips up into your ribs (If you don't know what I mean about a slight bend in your waste YouTube Kenyan runners). This allows for a deeper breath (with a SLIGHT tuck of the chin), and prevents you from sinking into your hips. This is very different from the chest out over your feet approach that you hear a lot. Most people who have been running competitively since they were kids will do what I have mentioned about naturally, so they are not quite sure why they are leaning forward slightly. That leads to the "lean your chest forward" instruction. However that often leads people to stick out their butt creating a sway in the back. This cuts off all the power from your core by dumping your pelvic floor forward. Cultivating that core power is what makes you light on your hips. You will also hear and read a lot about landing on your forefoot. Focusing on landing on your forefoot or mid-foot is simply a means to an end. Really if you create that space through your core you will either land and push off your forefoot if that is how you are built structurally or you will be balanced and drive through your core without landing on your forefoot. Either is equally "right" for you.
I am not much on coaching running form because like in yoga every pose is different for every body, but I think there are key points of intention. Brining these intentions to your running form may enhance your running and create a lightness of movement and mind.
Dear Dad
Let me preface: This has very little to do with the act of running itself, but running has been one of my greatest teachers. In way we run to discover our limits, and in doing so we gain awareness. This was one of those moments of awakening, so I wanted to share.
I wrote this to my dad about 6 years ago when I moved to Colorado for a few months to clear my head. There are probably many gramatical mistakes, but it was a letter written from my heart not to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Dear Dad,
I have given myself a moment to breath a much needed breath, and I picked up a book at the used book store for $2.16. It has been the best spent money since I have been in Boulder. Within 15 minutes of reading, the book has brought me to tears, to laughter, and to thoughtful contemplation. It is amazing what other's talents can bring out in yourself. Was it not Einstein who said something like imagination is more important than knowledge? It brings me such joy and enlightenment. I wanted to share with you a quote from the book that pulled at my heartstrings:
"Intention is not groggy in the morning. The day is met with a particular enthusiasm. The possibilities of the day are partners - not adversaries. Intentional living recognizes that, while accidents happen, life is not an accident. Days are built choice by choice. Intention savors moments of peaceful contemplation equally with production initiative. Intention knows each moment of the day as a precious investment." -Mary Anne Radmacher
While this does not have much to do with the quote, I was thinking about how most of my conscious life I have told myself I was uncreative. The misconception born from the idea that creativity lies in artistic talent. I am beginning to understand that creativity has much less to do with artistic talent. I am not sure Einstein could paint a pretty picture, but I do know that he is one of the most creative men to ever live.
Creativity lies in the life I am creating. So far, I have fought this creativity wanting someone to tell me how to put the next line on the page. At the same time, I have fought that need for someone to tell me the color of my life as well. It is like I know of this creating beast that lies in my belly, but I put a burlap bag over its head so it just thrashes around causing mayhem in a seemingly unchaotic life.
I think everyone is creative in some way. All too often we try to fit into a cookie cutter, myself included. Some are very good at this, but I do not know their heart. I do know my own heart, and I am very upfront with my emotions on fitting into this cookie cutter. You see, I just don't fit. I am beginning to realize that the beauty of life lies in its characteristics, like water flows from us and into us and around us. Have you ever tried to fit water into a cookie cutter. The only way would be if you could freeze it. I don't know about you, but I would rather not be frozen.
Life is what is shared between people. You once asked me if I thought a life was worth living without others to share it. I would have to answer that with a big fat no way. Life flows between people. That is why being around creative people (who are positive) sparks life within yourself. That is why you feel drained when listening to those who are full of negativity. It is not a wonder that so many people throughout history have used water analogies with life and love and relationships and beauty and persistence. Funny how I distinguish life and love when really the two things are one in the same.
Why does one ever look at life negatively? Maybe it is an ingrained habit or agreement we have made. Maybe there is some need to cling to things that are negative. Maybe there is always a slight feeling of inadequacy that we focus on that breeds contempt. The truth is that we really can enjoy even the seemingly unlikable even detestable parts of our day if we live them with intention. I am not quite sure how this is supposed to work in practice because I never seem to be able to employ this insight at those times, but something deep down (maybe my beast roaring) tells me that these moments too are steps on a journey. I would like to say that creatively pursuing life will impart our best effort or maybe our best effort will allow us to creatively pursue our life. Surely not by anyone else's standard, which is the beauty of it.
It is YOUR life! I can create my life. Just like a potter creates his pots. Chemistry doesn't make my life nor does Coach Clark or you or mom or my future husband (who I had not met at the time) or my job or my kids or my GPA or running or a book. It is very liberating to know that I am bound to no one. It makes those relationships that much deeper, knowing that I don't owe anyone anything but love and kindness. That is where true love lies. When two people can share each others life with no expectation need or want, but a true respect and appreciation for that person's life and the freedom to share your own life without feelings of give and take. I think you and I are beginning to really have that. You have of course always been on that end, but I am just beginning to understand what love really looks and feels like. Although I could probably write a short novel, I am going to call it a night. There are many more days to share in the beauty of life. I love you. I feel like I can say that with a little more conviction everyday.
With love,
Beaner
I am very lucky to have two loving parents who have been my greatest support system.
I wrote this to my dad about 6 years ago when I moved to Colorado for a few months to clear my head. There are probably many gramatical mistakes, but it was a letter written from my heart not to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Dear Dad,
I have given myself a moment to breath a much needed breath, and I picked up a book at the used book store for $2.16. It has been the best spent money since I have been in Boulder. Within 15 minutes of reading, the book has brought me to tears, to laughter, and to thoughtful contemplation. It is amazing what other's talents can bring out in yourself. Was it not Einstein who said something like imagination is more important than knowledge? It brings me such joy and enlightenment. I wanted to share with you a quote from the book that pulled at my heartstrings:
"Intention is not groggy in the morning. The day is met with a particular enthusiasm. The possibilities of the day are partners - not adversaries. Intentional living recognizes that, while accidents happen, life is not an accident. Days are built choice by choice. Intention savors moments of peaceful contemplation equally with production initiative. Intention knows each moment of the day as a precious investment." -Mary Anne Radmacher
While this does not have much to do with the quote, I was thinking about how most of my conscious life I have told myself I was uncreative. The misconception born from the idea that creativity lies in artistic talent. I am beginning to understand that creativity has much less to do with artistic talent. I am not sure Einstein could paint a pretty picture, but I do know that he is one of the most creative men to ever live.
Creativity lies in the life I am creating. So far, I have fought this creativity wanting someone to tell me how to put the next line on the page. At the same time, I have fought that need for someone to tell me the color of my life as well. It is like I know of this creating beast that lies in my belly, but I put a burlap bag over its head so it just thrashes around causing mayhem in a seemingly unchaotic life.
I think everyone is creative in some way. All too often we try to fit into a cookie cutter, myself included. Some are very good at this, but I do not know their heart. I do know my own heart, and I am very upfront with my emotions on fitting into this cookie cutter. You see, I just don't fit. I am beginning to realize that the beauty of life lies in its characteristics, like water flows from us and into us and around us. Have you ever tried to fit water into a cookie cutter. The only way would be if you could freeze it. I don't know about you, but I would rather not be frozen.
Life is what is shared between people. You once asked me if I thought a life was worth living without others to share it. I would have to answer that with a big fat no way. Life flows between people. That is why being around creative people (who are positive) sparks life within yourself. That is why you feel drained when listening to those who are full of negativity. It is not a wonder that so many people throughout history have used water analogies with life and love and relationships and beauty and persistence. Funny how I distinguish life and love when really the two things are one in the same.
Why does one ever look at life negatively? Maybe it is an ingrained habit or agreement we have made. Maybe there is some need to cling to things that are negative. Maybe there is always a slight feeling of inadequacy that we focus on that breeds contempt. The truth is that we really can enjoy even the seemingly unlikable even detestable parts of our day if we live them with intention. I am not quite sure how this is supposed to work in practice because I never seem to be able to employ this insight at those times, but something deep down (maybe my beast roaring) tells me that these moments too are steps on a journey. I would like to say that creatively pursuing life will impart our best effort or maybe our best effort will allow us to creatively pursue our life. Surely not by anyone else's standard, which is the beauty of it.
It is YOUR life! I can create my life. Just like a potter creates his pots. Chemistry doesn't make my life nor does Coach Clark or you or mom or my future husband (who I had not met at the time) or my job or my kids or my GPA or running or a book. It is very liberating to know that I am bound to no one. It makes those relationships that much deeper, knowing that I don't owe anyone anything but love and kindness. That is where true love lies. When two people can share each others life with no expectation need or want, but a true respect and appreciation for that person's life and the freedom to share your own life without feelings of give and take. I think you and I are beginning to really have that. You have of course always been on that end, but I am just beginning to understand what love really looks and feels like. Although I could probably write a short novel, I am going to call it a night. There are many more days to share in the beauty of life. I love you. I feel like I can say that with a little more conviction everyday.
With love,
Beaner
I am very lucky to have two loving parents who have been my greatest support system.
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