Painting and balancing
For yesterday’s recovery day, I took a complimentary yoga class at lululemon with my friend Ashley. When we go, we never really check who is teaching or what we’re doing, because it’s guaranteed to be good. I walked into class just before it started, and Ashley looked over at me and said, “We’re doing acro yoga today.”
(Talking and flying at the same time = insane talent)
It’s something I’ve never tried, and I wasn’t sure if it’d be my cup of namaste. (Sometimes the Pilot will hoist me up into the air with his legs and “fly” me, but that’s the closest I’ve ever been.) Buuuuut, it was so much fun! The instructors (Chip and Laura) were amazing, and it wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be. We did a slow, juicy flow -lots of twisting and holding the poses, which is exactly what I needed- and then went into balancing with a partner and spotter. The trick with acro yoga is stacking the joints, so that you don’t have to depend on muscular strength to hold the other person up- it’s more about alignment and balance transfer.
(Check out our plank!)
It’s fun to step out of the box sometimes, like with two art projects I’ve done lately.
I always find painting to be therapeutic, but it’s not something I prioritize in my life. I’ve had a blast painting our piano an olive color
(still have to add one more coat + the shiny wax or acrylic top coat. I can’t decide which one to do)
and a girls’ night at Creative Juice.
We had a squadron wives’ fundraiser, and it was my first time at Creative Juice. You pay a flat fee, get a free drink (wine, beer– they have a huge selection!), grab your palette of paint, and an instructor teaches you how to complete the painting of the night. It changes each day, and I’m determined to go back for the funky Dia de los Muertos skeleton. It would be such a fun date night!
My work of art:
It was cool because everyone had a similar painting, but they were all so unique. I rolled with purple mountains instead of blue.. livin’ on the edge like that.
We joked that our paintings were good “laundry room art” or “closet art,” but it was a great time for a wonderful cause.
When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new? Any fun DIY projects happening lately?
Hope you’re having a happy Monday!
xoxo
Gina
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Love this! Acro Yoga looks like fun — a great way to step out of the typical styles 🙂
Wow, I wish we had those. Actually, I’m going to seek some out now!
I’m super jealous of your girls’ night out. That looks like such a blast. When I was living in Calgary, I did a few fun nights like that (e.g.: pottery painting), but can’t find anything similar here in Brisbane. As much as I love eating food and consuming wine, it’s nice to find other activities that you wouldn’t normally do with your girlfriends. Fun!
In all my Lulu shopping years, I have never attended an in-store class. I need to add it to the to-do list. The never-ending to do list. 😉
*ALWAYS* making something over here haha. when i leave the lab for the day, all i want to do is be creative! it’s prob why i dress so quirky too. most recent project was diy shrub, nate built a credenza that turned out beautifully and i painted our bookcase canary yellow! i finally have my dining area mostly decorated (we reno’ed the WHOLE house 2 months ago by ourselves!? crazyyyyyyy) http://thedelicateplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-5-1024×768.jpg
and i did lots of painting/wallpaper choosing and made the inside of our decorative fireplace a ‘chalkboard’ with special paint 🙂 http://thedelicateplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-5.jpg i need to take photos with our stuff actually moved into that room haha. it’s really colorful…like our rug is tangerine orange and our couch is that same blue-green on the toile paper.
i like to go big or go home (that was a terrible pun).
whoops *dining room: http://thedelicateplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/25b0862ef86611e283e622000a1fb86d_7.jpg
Holy smokes I thought my stepping out of my gym comfort zone & doing some yoga was a big step but this is a whole other level of awesome! Maybeee someday down the longgg road my yoga journey will take me here!
Oh how I love those painting studios popping up everywhere! My sister & I have done two together & it’s such a fun way to spend quality time & have lots of fun! Your painting is great!
Love the painting!
I love the new piano color!! Also your painting looks pretty good too!
Love this! I’m going to a BYOB painting class with some lady-friends in a few weeks and can’t wait! I had a blast at a similar pottery painting class a few weeks ago. It was a really fun way to catch up and chat over a glass of wine while doing something relaxing and fun.
I have always loved painting! Sometimes I still pull out my brushes and get to work for a few days. I love painting with my son, too!
Your yoga plank looks great!!! Acro yoga looks so amazing!
XxOo Tasha
The last time I did something outside of my comfort zone was when I started my blog less than a week ago! It’s definitely something new, exciting and nerve-wracking for me, but I’m optimistic, so far!
I would love to do Acro Yoga, looks so cool!
We are ‘re-doing’ our kitchen currently, it’s an old cute kitchen and we turn it into shabby-chic style with new shelfs and painting. So fun!
I find acro yoga so intimidating! I’m not sure i’d ever be able to work up the courage to try a class. Stumbling into it might be just what I would need!
Both the acroyoga and the painting + wine look like so much fun!
Your piano looks so good! 🙂 I’ve been painting all of our furniture with Annie Sloan chalk paint. (We have all hand me downs that I wanted to brighten up and match a bit). I love the fresh look her paint gives to furniture.
I’m impressed with your painting! Looks great!
my roommates and I have been painting all semester, using them to decorate our apartment! so fun 🙂
Oh, I love the painting. Very nice!!
Not sure I could handle acro yoga, I have a hard time balancing doing simple yoga. It is good to push out of your comfort zone. I need to do that more often.
Acro yoga looks tricky but it also looks like so much fun! I love your painting! I don’t have much artistic talent at all and I wish I did!
I don’t think I could do acroyoga- that’s just a little to intimate for my liking. Maybe with my husband but that would be it.
I have been wanting to try acro yoga. It looks like fun! And painting is one of my favorite ways to de-stress. what fun.
I am so not good at DIY stuff. I am just not very talented in the creative department! I do love Acro Yoga though! It’s so fun to get into these cool poses that you would never be able to do yourself. I love the plank photo!
Wow, acro yoga looks crazy (and super fun)! And your painting is better than anything I could ever do even on my best day – I just do not have the drawing/painting gene in me.
Haha!! I went with my girlfriends to pain our own art and guess where my picture is hanging? In my laundry room:)
I love this! I’ve seen groupons for a similar place in my area and have wanted to try it out. I think your painting looks great! I do need some artwork for my house, why not make it myself and enjoy some vino in the process!?
Small world.. I am also one of the Yogaslackers and friends with Chip and Laura 🙂 They are a great couple and lots of fun! Glad you enjoyed the Acro!!
I’ve seen more and more of the acro yoga photos pop up on pinterest. I definitely have to try it out one day. Do you find that it mostly just helps with balance?
What kind of paint did you use for the piano? I’m into redoing a lot of furniture and have been using annie sloan chalk paint but wanting to try different kinds!
Never mind! I was a little behind in your blog and just saw the annie sloan wax picture! Love the stuff. You should try the distressed look on something. I’m kind of obsessed.