For the love of all things yogi…

I just had my asana handed to me.

yoga

It was by far the most challenging yoga class I’ve ever taken. The class was 2.5 hours (whoa!) at Yoga Oasis and was called The Practice- the instructor practices with the students. In other words, it was a Cirque du Soleil rehearsal.

Arm balances, inversions, every pose I’m not even close to getting…. add 3 days of driving into the mix and my body was not stoked. I debated leaving about halfway through and then they busted out the dark chocolate, so I stayed Smile

Can’t wait to go back Winking smile

Classes that make me feel like the worst yogini ever (IF the teacher is encouraging and gives great instruction) really motivate me. I’d much rather leave class with a list of things I’d like to work on, than go and feel like I can do every pose well.

To rewind to this morning, I went to a TRX event at the lululemon showroom.

lulu

The class was taught by Ren from Red Monkey studio– I’m excited to take a class from her. I didn’t participate in today’s event, but just wanted to hang out with the girls and meet some new friends Smile 

After the event and chatting with guests, I meandered through the Farmer’s Market.

market

So many passionate people and a glorious abundance of vegan/gluten-free baked goodies, fresh organic produce, olive oil, balsamic, salsas, and local grass-fed meat. Amazeballs.

farmers market

The goods:

goods

Vegan, gluten-free jalapeno cornbread (which was baked this morning), homemade HOT salsa (lurve) and farm fresh eggs.

Once you have a farm fresh egg, it’s hard to go back.

eggs

Thank you to Angel, Hazel, Gertie, Red, Helen, Katie, Penny, Dove, Sister, Lacey, Frilly and Ethel for my breakfast.

breakfast

After yoga this afternoon, feasted on a hefty bowl of breakfast cookie dough cereal and am about to wander around Trader Joe’s with a silly smile on my face before making dinner. It’s gotta be something to go with the cornbread Smile

snowman

Have a lovely night and I’ll see you in the morning <3

xoxo,

Gina

What yoga poses or fitness goals are you working towards right now?? I’d love to be able to rock out headstand without the wall.

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64 Comments

  1. mi-an dela cruz on December 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    Never had fresh farm eggs! looks delish though! that yoga class sounds legit! i did 60 min of power yoga and 90 min of hot yoga the other day…my body was sayin WHOA! glad you’re settling in! i’m off to TJ’s in a bit too! 🙂

    • mi-an dela cruz on December 11, 2010 at 6:35 pm

      right now, i’m trying to perfect crow pose and same as you…headstand…

  2. Jennifer Demartini on December 11, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    Sounds like the perfect day! SO, so glad to see Tuscon is treating you well!

  3. Samantha on December 11, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    That class sounds wicked awesome! Your mood and tone seem to have really lifted now that you’re back to your roots…glad to hear it. We have a LOT of wives that, as soon as the boat gets underway, they go home and never weather a single mission on their own. Sometimes you have to do what’s best for you and at least you’ve tried before!

    Headstands are amazing! I do it on my forearms, not tripod, and its my “grounding” pose. As for what pose I’d like to rock…I’d love to always be able to tuck my toe in eagle (I have super tight hips and can only get it sometimes), get into hand and forearm stand and HOLD them for more than a second, and bird of paradise.

    • Fitnessista on December 11, 2010 at 6:44 pm

      yup i’ve done it twice before! this time, valdosta was going to be too much for me to handle again.
      hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂

  4. holly @ couchpotatoathlete on December 11, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    I love that the carton of eggs has the names of the chickens on there! How hilarious!!!

    I would love to try TRX — I remember seeing Tamra and Lynn try it on Real Housewives of OC 🙂

    • holly @ couchpotatoathlete on December 11, 2010 at 6:49 pm

      Oh and it is CRAZY to see grass in your pictures — we are in the middle of a winter storm warning — blizzard, 12 inches of snow…

      • Fitnessista on December 11, 2010 at 6:53 pm

        the trees are barely turning yellow in tucson. it thinks it’s august haha

  5. Jessica @ Jessica Balances on December 11, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    What an amazing yoga practice you had! 🙂 Starting in January, I will be working toward become a 200-hour certified yoga teacher *gulp* even though I have so many poses to master… like crow and headstand!

    • Fitnessista on December 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm

      that’s the fastest way to do it though! you’ll cram years worth of practice into that time. i’m excited for you!

  6. Stacey on December 11, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    So happy for you! Hope all of your dreams come true!

  7. grocery goddess jen on December 11, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    So true about the farm fresh eggs! Once you try them, everything else pales in comparison.

    I’m working on my strength training, so no yoga goals, but I’m definitely rockin’ a fitness challenge of my own.

  8. Paige @Running Around Normal on December 11, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    Whoa that yoga class sounds very hard core!!
    Yay for befriending new lulu’s:) That Farmer’s Market sounds deeeeelicious!

  9. Michelle on December 11, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    That class sounds intense! I covet your farmers market! They’re all closed up where I am! 🙁 right now my fitness goal is working up to running 10 miles for my race in March! It will be my longest distance ever!

  10. BridgetP on December 11, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    Isn’t that the best part of yoga?! That there are always poses to learn and work toward. I just mastered headstand and am working to handstand! We’re basically snowed in today so I’ve been practicing handstands in my living room all day…while yummy things bake in my oven 🙂

    The peace you must feel from being home is evident in your last couple posts. All the best to you!

  11. Melissa @ Vegan CacaoBee on December 11, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    Yoga Oasis rocks! Honestly, I have a hard time being consistent with my yoga practice, though. I have a hard time slowing myself down and being patient with the process. I guess that is what I need to work on! By the way, did you see the vendor with the goat cheese ice cream and cheesecake at the Farmer’s Market? It’s good stuff.

  12. Cara Craves... on December 11, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    I am sure you can totally rock that headstand!!
    I conquered that one last year and it was quite a feat…
    it’s all in the abs. You are strong and powerful; I am
    quite sure you have it in you!

  13. Gillian on December 11, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    That looks like a crazy yoga class! I’m always exhausted after an hour, so props for getting through 2 1/2!!

  14. nicole on December 11, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    I don’t practice yoga but I try to do handstands and headstands occasionally. The TRX event looks like fun.

  15. JessicaA on December 11, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Jalapeno cornbread sounds so yumm! As for the eggs, I wouldn’t mind trying farm fresh eggs. Sounds interesting and I would love to see what the difference is. Maybe I will check out a farmers market next weekend to see if they have any fresh eggies.

  16. Nikky on December 11, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    You sound so much happier and I am loving the sun and green grass in your pictures, it’s freezing here.

    Yoga kinda scares me but the few times I have attempted it, my body feels so relaxed after.

    P.S. I tried your cookie dough cereal and it is nothing short of amazing…really good idea!

  17. hippierunner on December 11, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    How adorable that they put the chickens’ names on the carton!

  18. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) on December 11, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Classes that inspire are the best classes! I like to feel like I have my asana handed to me on a platter sometimes, too 🙂 I like to go to a certaub special instructor in order to really feel that way. At a special day/time of the week where it’s an invite-only class type thing. Practicing with others who have been practicing for 20 yrs, been to or lived in India for a decade, those type of students. Those who really walk the life path of yoga, both on an off the mat. That’s when the asana practice isn’t as important as everything else..so paradoxical but true I have found the past decade.

    One of the poses I like to start my day with every day is scorpion. It makes me centered for the rest of the day! That, and eka pada koundinasa. Those are 2 poses that 10 yrs ago I laughed at. Now, I love them!

    🙂

  19. Gina on December 11, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    My goal is to get headstand “off the wall” as well! I just applied for a teacher training and I really hope I get in (they are only accepting 12 people!!!)

  20. LisaG on December 11, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I’m gonna send you a pic or video of Thomason. He came home a few weeks ago doing crow pose. He didn’t know what it was! no biggie to him. So happy you’re situated

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 10:55 am

      that is so awesome! i’d love to see it 🙂
      miss you, friend

  21. sarah on December 11, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    Hi Gina,
    Where and when is that farmer’s market each week? I want to tell my mom to hook me up with some of that gluten free cornbread when I come home for Christmas!! I can’t wait!! 🙂
    <3 Sarah
    PS maybe we can get together for a class somewhere?!

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 10:54 am

      it’s sat and sun at st phillip’s plaza- the bread guy is there on saturday 🙂
      let me know when you’re here, i’d love to see you!

  22. Ilana on December 11, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    Ah, this post is two things I love – getting my booty handed to me in an inspiring class, and farmers markets. I don’t know which makes me happier? I didn’t know I missed eggs until you posted this (allergic *sigh*), but there really is nothing better than a farm-fresh egg!
    I’m in the middle of Pilates instructor certification and my big goal right now is to really learn how my body moves and functions – and learning how others move and function. And of course mastering teaching others! It’s so crazy fun … I’m so glad I chose to do this.

  23. Laughter-Loving Stacy on December 11, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    I LOVE TRX. Classes are offered at my university’s gym, and I really wanted to teach that class but I missed the training. So I just became a Pilates instructor instead! 🙂

  24. Sarah Crowder on December 11, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    Even though I know it was partly in jest, I thought it was so sweet you thanked the farmers who provided you the eggs! I think we should more often think of the people and resources it took to get our food to our plates 🙂 Btw, your recent short workout video looks awesome; I’ll be giving it a try tomorrow morning to get my day started right!

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 2:25 am

      i was being serious- i am thankful to the chickens and farmers!
      let me know how you like the video 🙂

  25. Melissa on December 11, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    I’ve always been a runner, but have recently started taking yoga classes…and I love it! My goal is simply to work on the basic poses!!! And oh my, that farmer’s market looks amazing!

  26. aubrey on December 11, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    I have been following your blog for so long and I just love it. you always make me smile. your so healthy but never go overboard or make people feel bad. Thanks:)

    I was wondering if you could help me. Speaking of health I started my own blog but a whole new apporach. my blog is music therapy (modern music of course)!

    🙂

    If you could help me, give me advice, get the word out and stuff, It would mean the WORLD to me.
    My email is listed. And for people in the comments. Check it out?:)

  27. aubrey on December 11, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    Never posted the link:)!

  28. Mary @ Bites and Bliss on December 11, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    They sure know how to make their yogini’s stick around! 😉

  29. Christin@purplebirdblog on December 11, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Have fun at Trader Joooooe’s!!!

  30. Krystina (Basil & Wine) on December 11, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    I clearly need to join a studio who gives me dark chocolate. Talk about motivation!

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 2:24 am

      amen, right? it changed my attiitude from “i’m not sure how i feel about this class” to “i LOVE this class!!!”

  31. Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life on December 11, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I’m actually working on trying to incorporate more yoga into my fitness routine in general. I always LOVE how I feel when I do yoga, but seem to push it to the back burner quite quickly. I need to step it up and just do it! 🙂

  32. Ann Liu on December 11, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Just bought my first pair of lululemon sweatpants and I’m in loove!

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 2:23 am

      welcome to the addiction 🙂

  33. Sima on December 11, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    Glad everything is falling into place for you. You seem soo much happier. I love the names of the chickens on the box, so cute. If I had the space I would love to have my own. One day maybe…

  34. Erin Foster Yoga on December 11, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Long yoga classes are the BEST! I’m so glad that there are no “dark clouds” (cough cough) where you live, just happiness 🙂
    You want to be able to get headstand without the wall…or Rob? Haha…remember: Tom isn’t much of a spotter 😉
    Maybe since I have my site somewhat up and running, I can do a post/video on getting headstand away from the wall, just for you!
    Miss you, lady! xoxo

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 2:22 am

      miss you too friend!
      would you please?? i would love it 🙂

  35. Ashley on December 12, 2010 at 12:44 am

    I’m desperately trying to hold crow pose, and try to run longer and faster in general. I love how they put the chickens names on the carton.

  36. Namaste Gurl on December 12, 2010 at 12:58 am

    Just went to the Farmer’s Market manana– ama-zing. I like to wander around there even if I’m not buying anything as well! 🙂

    Vinyasa style yoga would have to be my favorite. I prefer a challenge than for the class to be overly easy and not money’s worth.

  37. Genevieve on December 12, 2010 at 1:18 am

    Hey girlie, if you ever feel like filming a “tutorial” about arm balances (maybe some tips / ideas). I’m working on them and I never get sick of insights about those 😉 Thanks! Love your yogini attitude!

  38. AnneW on December 12, 2010 at 2:23 am

    Please show off your T.J.’s goodies! 😉

  39. ashley nicole on December 12, 2010 at 8:31 am

    i really want to work on arm balances as well. and that farmer’s market looks amazing.

  40. Katie on December 12, 2010 at 8:37 am

    I really need to try farm fresh eggs!

    I would love to try yoga agian, I tried a class once and wasn’t feeling it, but a good teacher could make all the difference!

  41. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on December 12, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Yoga, Lululemon, local and organic foods, and family… it seems like you’ve found the perfect place for you! I’m so glad everything worked out for you in the end. 🙂

    My fitness goal is to incorporate more variety into my workouts. There are so many classes offered at my gym that I’ve never tried!

  42. Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) on December 12, 2010 at 9:10 am

    Sounds like an amazing class! I really want to get into crow for more than 6 seconds myself… but I’ve been practicing at home and don’t have an instructor to ask for help, currently! I’m workin’ at it 😉

    xo

  43. Faith @ lovelyascharged on December 12, 2010 at 9:42 am

    I’ve been getting good at getting up into side crow – now I just have to work on holding it!!!

  44. Heather (Heather's Dish) on December 12, 2010 at 9:51 am

    there’s a HUGE difference in your tone already…you sound so much happier! i’m so glad you had a great yoga class, even if it was crazy challenging 🙂

  45. Allison @ Food For Healing on December 12, 2010 at 10:45 am

    2.5 hours of yoga, yowza!

    oh i love farmers markets. i wish it wasn’t -24F here all winter so we could have fresh produce outside! haha

  46. Moni'sMeals on December 12, 2010 at 11:07 am

    I know exactly the feeling when you ask yourself have way through if you are done! It is so rewarding at the end though, and I bet that chocolate does help, hehe. 🙂

  47. Mimi on December 12, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Oh my gosh, that yoga class sounds INTENSE! How much did that cost?

    • Fitnessista on December 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm

      same as a reg class- $9

  48. Shayna on December 12, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Fitness goals – lift heavier and get a six pack! I’m absolutely loving my training right now.

    TRX, now that’s not messing around. I’ve used it several times, and my hubby and I are adding one to our gym. Love it!

  49. Corey @ The Runner's Cookie on December 12, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    I also love yoga classes like that! But I agree, only if the instructor is encouraging and positive. I like getting feedback and knowing what adjustments I need to make in the poses. Right now I’m working on crow – the fear of falling on my face is holding me back, but I know I can do it if I keep practicing!

  50. Beth on December 12, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    My fitness goal right now is just to maintain my workout schedule through the holiday season. I have so much to do right now, it’s hard to continue to find time. But, my mind and body need it, so it should be priority. The Farmer’s Market looks amazing! We go to one every week near our house…love it!

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