What the yoga doc ordered + a NEW Zumba video

Last night’s yoga class was everything I needed. Usually when I take class Wednesday night, my body is toasted from teaching all day. I still go, because it’s the one class I like to take each week, just for me, and I haven’t once regretted it. If anything, I think all of the stretching helps delay the soreness until after teaching Thursday’s classes 😉 Yesterday was an easy teaching day for me -Zumba ended up being my only really active class- so I felt extra energized during my poses. And boy did I need it.

Hibiscus  1 of 1

I haven’t wanted to be a Debbie Downer on the blog, but I think it’s worth mentioning that it’s been a sad week. A high school friend, Anna, passed away on Tuesday, after a long fight with an aggressive form of cancer. She was the girl at school who shared her love and light with everyone who was lucky enough to meet her. She lived a life of charity, running all of the March of Dimes events and volunteering with the American Cancer Society until she became a patient herself.

Life really isn’t fair sometimes.

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She was only 28 years old, but I believe she inspired more people than someone who might live to be 100. Last night’s yoga class was for Anna. I thought of her strength over the past 18 months, her optimism and humor through her countless surgeries… and during savasana, I thought about how thankful I am to have known her.

I got my classes covered this morning to attend her funeral, where I’m sure to see hundreds of people who were friends with Anna. It’s a sad day, but I’m happy that she’s no longer suffering.

I challenge each of you to do something today that makes you happy. Something just for YOU <3

Maybe a little dance?

Sasha and I filmed this video a couple of weeks ago when we got our photos taken. I LOVE the choreography, but the sound was muted by YouTube for copyright issues. Sad trombone.

To get the music to sync up, bring up the music “Come & Get It” in a separate window and make it smaller. Click start on the music video, and when it gets to :50, press start on the dance. If you’re using the music download only, start the music at :07 in the dance video.

Hope you enjoy and that you have a wonderful day <3

xo

Gina

PS. Did you win the giveaway? Find out here! 

 

 

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38 Comments

  1. Lisa on May 30, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I’m sorry to hear about your High School friend, life can be really unfair in that way when it takes young lives early, but at least it sounds like she had some beautiful qualities and make a difference in peoples lives with her optimism, humor, and strength.

    Off to check out the video:)

  2. Molly on May 30, 2013 at 11:36 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

  3. Brigid on May 30, 2013 at 11:44 am

    I’m very sorry for your loss. I have lost a lot of classmates and two cousins in their 20s, and it never gets any easier. Some people bring a beautiful light to the world, and it hurts to see it extinguished so young. I’m glad she got to be part of your life even if only briefly.

  4. Bridget on May 30, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Sorry to hear about your friend. I work at a Cancer Center at the hospital where I live and I see how tough it is on family and friends. I will keep you in my prayers.

  5. Bridget on May 30, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Sorry to hear about your friend. I work at a Cancer Center at the hospital where I live and I see how tough it is on family and friends. I will keep you in my prayers.

  6. Sarah @ Yogi in Action on May 30, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    I’m very sorry to hear about your friend! I had a friend pass away suddenly last year, at the age of 26, so I can definitely identify with the sadness of feelings of unfairness. It’s so tragic when a life is taken too soon.

    Sending you hugs for a hard day!

  7. Beverly Aragon on May 30, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    Thinking uplifting thoughts for you today as you celebrate the amazing life of your dear friend.

  8. Amanda on May 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I dedicated my practice last night to my friend’s son who is in the hospital battling a really bad case of pneumonia. I so love yoga during the hard times – it reminds me of my strength and provides the quiet for reflection. Thinking of you today xo

  9. Sheena on May 30, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you lots of hugs xoxo

  10. Erin (Running Tall) on May 30, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    So sorry for your loss, Gina. Thoughts are with you today <3

  11. Lucie@FitSwissChick on May 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    I am sending you lots of hugs Gina, I am sorry about your loss. I love that you dedicated the Yoga class to her.
    Need to check your video now!!

  12. cassi on May 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. You and her family are in my prayers!

  13. shayna on May 30, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Cancer sucks, Gina. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. My dad is fighting Mesothelioma and my good friend is fighting thyroid cancer and I know firsthand how bad it is to see a loved one suffer and not be able to hug it away. My heart goes out to you and her family.

  14. Kristin on May 30, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    I’m very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers you and to her family.

  15. Jen G. on May 30, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I really, really hate cancer.

  16. Wendy on May 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I heard about Anna as I saw a story about her here in Tucson. What a truly remarkable woman. So sorry for your loss.

  17. Tracy on May 30, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your good friend. It’s always helpful to me to think about the suffering being over. She has reached the ultimate goal, happily looking down on all who loved her.

  18. Christine@ Apple of My Eye on May 30, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. That is much too young of an age to pass away at and I’m sure she would have had an even bigger impact on those she touched and the world if she had lived a longer life. You’re right, life just isn’t fair sometimes. Plain and simple.

    On another note, I love that song you choreographed your dance to!

  19. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries on May 30, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    So sorry to hear about your friend. I’m glad you have so many positive memories of her!

  20. Kristen on May 30, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Anna sounds like she was a lovely person. <3

  21. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on May 30, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about Anna. It sounds like she some amazing qualities and will be dearly missed.

  22. Katie on May 30, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    sorry for the loss of your friend, that is so sad <3

  23. Marysa on May 30, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    What a small world. My boyfriend knew her from the few years he lived in Tuscon. I never knew her but I heard nothing but fantastic things.

  24. Jennifer on May 30, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend! We are praying for you and all that loved her. She left a great legacy!

    I loved the dance! Just finished! Thank you! 🙂

  25. kirsten on May 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss Gina!

  26. Sammy on May 30, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    🙁

  27. Caitlin on May 30, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    so sad. thanks for sharing though.

  28. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on May 30, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to your friend! Thank you for the new Zumba video.

  29. Heather on May 30, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.

  30. Helen on May 30, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss – your family and your friend’s family are in my prayers.

  31. Anna @ Your Healthy Place on May 31, 2013 at 1:24 am

    Awesome Zumba video – love that song! YouTube sucks with its copyright laws haha, but thanks for the guidelines on how to watch it along with listening to the music.

    So sorry to hear about your friend; such a tragic waste of life. All we can do is try to live on in their spirit!

  32. Bethann Wagner on May 31, 2013 at 3:49 am

    Gina, I’m sorry to hear about your friend! I’m dedicating my next practice to her and her family.

    Also, we need to get you the rights to the music you use so you can stop muting it on YouTube! 🙂
    xoxo, BA

    • Fitnessista on May 31, 2013 at 10:24 am

      thank you, friend <3
      how do i do that?! haha

  33. Jen on May 31, 2013 at 6:44 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. Today my thoughts, prayers and positive energy will be sent to her family and friends. Tough stuff and so unfair, but she sounds like an amazing lady who is going to have a pretty special pain-free glorious spot somewhere waiting to hug everyone once again.

    • Fitnessista on May 31, 2013 at 10:24 am

      thank you, jen <3

  34. Meghan @ After the Ivy League on May 31, 2013 at 7:58 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of such a special friend. Life truly is not fair sometimes, we’ll never understand it. Try to take comfort in the fact that her suffering is over, and she’s in a much better place. I’ll be thinking of you and her family this morning.

  35. Steph @ Upbeat Eats on May 31, 2013 at 8:09 am

    So sorry to hear about your friend 🙁 yesterday was a tough day over here too, someone I work with was killed riding his bike home. It’s been kind of a weird few days for a lot of people, I’ve found. Prayers for you and your friend’s family!

  36. Laura Z on May 31, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I don’t think it’s a downer when people talk about death. I think, when you know someone great, you just want to tell everyone how great they are. Thanks for sharing.

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