Yoga Workshop in DC with Rachel Brathen

If you have been following along with this blog in the last several months you know that I've been trying to step up my yoga game and one of my biggest inspirations in this endeavor has been Rachel Brathen or better known by her Instagram handle @yoga_girl. She's always good some great inspirational words and pictures.

So when I saw that she was hosting a yoga workshop in DC I jumped at the chance to attend. Now at this point I wouldn't call myself extremely proficient at yoga, still trucking along at beginner status. I started to get a little nervous when I got there, every one seemed to be way more advanced then I was. But, I'm glad I stayed. She did a great job of breaking everything down into simple terms and not making me feel embarrassed for being at a lower level then most of the others. She also did a great job of forcing us to reach out and get to know the other people in attendance.

It was an incredible workout and I was definitely feeling sore the next morning. I'm so glad I didn't psyche myself out about being at a lower level and stuck with it. It was great inspiration to keep  me going and motivated. 

Have you ever attended an exercise workshop?

Yoga Guide: Advice from a Newbie

Its been over a month since I declared my desire to rededicate myself to yoga. How is that going you ask? Its going pretty well actually! Right now I'm in kind of a workout rut, mainly its cold here and well I don't want to do it. And when I say cold here, I mean everywhere. When its cold in Paraguay there is no escape, most people don't have heat in their houses and its a humid cold which is just plain weird. But, I try and do yoga for at least 15 minutes everyday ... and I generally stick to that plan. I thought I would share some of my new found yoga wisdom, remember I'm a beginner too, so don't take my advice as the end all be all of yoga advice, but, I thought it could help other newbies, like me.

Don't give up. Yoga can be hard. I know the people you see doing it on Instagram and those workout videos look so relaxed but that is because they have been doing yoga for years. When you start, yoga is hard. You will breath heavy, make weird noises and generally make a fool of yourself. But that is the point, keep going and you will get there one day. After a month I am already seeing improvements in moves I could barely do 30 days ago

Get into a routine. You will see better results if you practice yoga on a regular basis. Even if you are like me and only do 10-15 minutes a day. Something is better than nothing, so get your butt on your mat at least a few time a week, every week.

Listen to your body. Yes, it is important to push your body sometimes in yoga, you don't know what you can do until you try. But, you also need to be careful, Yoga may not be a contact sport but you can still get hurt. Go slowly and do what is comfortable to your body.

Breathing. Do it. Sometimes in the more difficult poses you will find yourself holding your breath. Stop. Breathing is an intricate part of yoga and you know, living. So just remember to keep breathing.

Start slow. I know when you start yoga you have this image in your head of doing awesome hand stand poses or crazy arm balance moves and basically just being a yoga super star. But, you won't get there right away. You need to build up strength and balance and a whole bunch of other things before you get there. Start with the important foundation poses and they will eventually lead you to those awesome hand stands.

Do your research. Go to a class. Talk to your yoga instructor. Read a book. Research online. Get help from actual Yoga professionals (not just a wannabe yogi - aka me.)

Have fun. This is the most important in my book. If you aren't having fun while you practice yoga then whats the point. There are plenty of exercises out there you can do, yoga isn't for everyone so don't force it. 

Do you have any advice for Yoga beginners, like me?

5 Awesome People to Follow on Instagram

So I've decided to do a follow up to my 5 Hilarious People to Follow on Twitter post and show you some of my favorite people to follow on Instagram. I am kind of new to the IG game but I am catching on quick. I love taking pictures so IG is a good fit. My boyfriend and I continuously bicker over this, he says "Instagram is just like Twitter but for people who can't read." (A quote from the show 2 Broke Girls) He doesn't have an IG account and thinks everything you do on Twitter you can do on IG. However, I am a big IG advocate. Twitter is great, but, its focus isn't pictures, you can post almost anything but in only 140 characters. With IG I'm not limited in my character count, which I love, and it focuses strictly on photos. However, I don't think it is an either/or situation. I do not discriminate when it comes to social media and I use Instagram and Twitter equally. So here are a list of my favorite people to follow on IG!

1. Rachel Brathen (@Yoga_Girl) - Rachel is a traveling yoga instructor who lives in Aruba. She posts lots of beach photos, yoga videos and just happy, positive pictures. You can also follow her dog @ringo_thegringo

Do you love someone? Deeply? Truly? Fully? Tell them. Now. @luigijimenez I love you. @joshwendel i love you. @ahlaluna I love you... Family time por siempre. Lo dejaría todo por vos.... Y te daría todo a vos. Soy infinita por que mi cuerpo no termina en mi piel, se extiende sin límites formando parte indisoluble del universo. #amorinfinito #love #always

2. Brook Saward (@worldwanderlust) - Brooke has been named one of the best travel bloggers by many people and if you follow her blog, her youtube channel or her Instagram you'll see why. She is always on the move and her IG account with definitely make you jealous but also maybe inspire you to get out there and travel too.

Bo-Kaap 💃

3. P.S. - I made this (@psimadethis) - This account has so many bright and colorful photos and makes you think any DIY project is possible. Take a looks for a bunch of great ideas and how-to's.

Our love don't @Lacoste a thing. See ya'll at our crafternoon #desertpoolparty Let's #livebeautifully

4. Spoon Fork Bacon (@spoonforkbacon) - Spoon Fork Bacon is one of my favorite food blogs, if you have never seen it you are missing out. They have so many great and simple recipes and IG is a great way to showcase them.

Hot Crab Dip recipe on the blog! 👊🏈👌

5. Dave Yoder (@daveyoder) - Dave is a contract photographer for National Geographic Magazine and National Geographic Society Explorer so you know his pictures are incredible. Take a look!

"Love locks" in a ventilation duct in the Florence Campanile.

Wannabe Yogi

The first time I did yoga was my junior year in college when I took a yoga class as my required gym credit. I figured it would be an easy A and would take a lot less effort then the strength training class. Don’t get me wrong I love working out, but, I like doing it on my own terms.

Well needless to say when the semester was over not only did I get that A I had hoped for but, I was hooked. I loved how yoga didn’t discriminate, any person, no matter their gender, body shape, size, age or skill level could participate. I especially loved to see the changes in my body, I mean I was so flexible, it was awesome.

However, one thing I’ve learned about myself over the years is that a lack what people would call, a strong follow through. I played cello when I was younger… I quit after one year. I have about a half dozen diaries from my youth that were written in daily for about two weeks, a month tops and then nothing. It is definitely not one of my better traits and is something I am continuously working on. But, this obviously ended up affecting my yoga. Sometimes when I’m lying in bed at night I’ll think I should start yoga again, but, then when I wake up in the morning that quickly goes out the window as I hit the snooze button 2 (3,4,or 5) times.

I think it would definitely easier if I was living back at home in Maryland and could go to classes at my local gym. The outside pressure and motivation definitely helps. But, I’ve decided to give it another go and hopefully this time it sticks. I’ve found some good yoga channels on YouTube with great videos like Yoga with Adriene and Rachel Brathen (<-- she also has a great Instagram to follow @yogagirl) for inspiration and help!