Hiatus + Yoga Lovin’
Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday 😀 Hope you’re having a good morning.
Hiatus
Ya’ll know this already if you’re a twitter friend, and it’s a giant bummer, but I’m going to take two full weeks off from cardio and leg work. My knee is still yelling at me and after a pep talk with two trainers I love and respect, we decided that this is what I need to do.
The funny thing is, at Wizzle the other night, I saw another V-town trainer (we only have a handful of trainers here and all know each other) in front of me in line. In his cart, he had frosted mini wheats, Pringles, parm cheese in a container, SODA, and other processed and junky goodies. Unintentionally, in my mind I judged a little… I thought to myself “How can you eat that stuff and then try to teach your clients to eat well and live healthy lives?”
When in reality, I’m kind of doing the same thing.
If one of my clients came up to me and said their knee was bothering them after a half marathon, the first thing I would say is: two weeks of nothing. Take this time off to let your body heal, focus on your eats and come back in full swing.
Well, I haven’t done that that.
I took it “easy” the week after the half marathon, taught Zumba last week, did full cardio on top of weights, now my knee hates me slightly more than it did last week. I turned a one-week injury into a two-week injury, which will now become a month injury as I let myself heal.
The reality check was this morning, when Ron asked me if I wanted to turn this two-week injury into a *life* injury. You don’t mess around with your knees, and once you have knee probs, they can stick with you for the long haul. He said, and I quote, “Dude, your knee is sending a signal to your brain that something isn’t right. You can either keep pushing along and make it worse or rest for two weeks and be able to get back into your routine.”
He’s right. I knew this all along and it’s time for me to actually *do it*. I’m going to miss Zumba, I’m sad that I can’t run the 10k this weekend, and I feel kind of cranky and like a lard already. It’s time for me to stop thinking I’m a superhero and let my body do it’s thang. At least I got in some awesome power yoga classes this weekend 😉
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Yoga Lovin
As ya’ll know, I love me some yoga. It helps to quiet my frantic mind, gives me a killer workout and helps me tone muscles that I’ve never seen before. When I’m not injured, you can find me in crow pose…
Or dancer
And my downward facing fun children 😀
One of my favorite ways to get some yoga in my life since we don’t have a yoga studio here, is to do podcasts from YogaDownload.com. They’re perfect for traveling and I’ve done podcasts in Cali, Gatlinburg, Atlanta and Orlando to sneak in quick and effective workouts 🙂
I usually roll with the intense power yoga classes (Power Yoga #3 and #4 are my favorites), but will take this hiatus as a chance to try meditative and restorative classes.
I’ve always purchased the yoga podcasts from YogaDownload.com with my own money, and have written about them quite a few times. There are SO many types of podcasts to choose from, printable pose guides (so you can know in advance what the class will consist of) and they now have video podcasts as well.
Well the lovely (and generous) friends at YogaDownload.com have been so kind to offer:
–ALL Fitnessistas a 30% off discount on their purchases at YogaDownload.com for the rest of March– all you have to do is enter the coupon code “Fitnessista” at checkout. This code can be used as many times as you like! SAWEET!!!!
–One very lucky Fitnessista will get a year unlimited subscription to YogaDownload.com. As many yoga downloads as you like, for an entire year, for free. How amazing is that?!?
To enter for the year subscription, all you have to do is leave a comment with what your favorite yoga pose is. Winner will be chosen tonight at midnight via pilot random number generator.
Namaste,
Gina
just started doing yoga and my fave is child’s pose!
Pigeon pose! Especially after a run, my hips feel amazing afterward.
My favorite pose is Eagle Pose..
I close my eyes, and I imagine myself on top of a hill in the most beautiful scene posible.
I feel so powerful, and enlightend.
I the ”warrior” pose, makes me feel tall and strong!
Pigeon pose for sure…it feels oh so good after running lots of miles!
Crow! it took so long for me to be able to do it and it makes me so happy now! thank you!
My favorite yoga pose is definitely Camel. Love it!
I like dancer pose because everytime I do it I get more flexible!
Pigeon pose, such a great hip opener. A close second is down dog– it helps my tight hammies after I run.
My favorite pose is downward dog. When i first started doing yoga, i used to loathe the pose but then i found out i was doing it completely wrong. Ever since i found the correct way of doing it, it is my favorite pose to be in.
camel! most people seem to hate it, but i love my backward bends!
Bird of paradise! But not for a very yogic reason…usually I’m the only one in the class who can do it! (At least I’m an honest yogi!)
i’m glad to hear you’re taking some time off to take care of your knee. i’ve had two injuries in the past year that have affected my workout routine, and it was no fun. i had a hard time convincing myself to rest and give myself a chance to heal. i probably went back a little too soon both times, but i modified my workouts and didn’t go at the same intensity i normally would.
i like all the poses i’ve done so far in yoga, but i’d have to say that my favorite pose is savasana. it feels amazing. it really helps me to center myself and let my worries fade away.
My fave is definitely Warrior! It centers me instantly!
My favorite is child’s pose, I always get a good stretch and it relaxes me.
I’d have to say warrior pose, but to be honest I’m not a very accomplished yogi, so I really just don’t know many poses! I’d looove to learn more though via a free yogadownload subscription 😉
The Cobra is definitely my favorite! My roommates call me “the cobra” because they say I’m very sneaky lol, so I guess I might be a bit biased.
Oh & don’t feel bad about taking 2 weeks off! I had a shin running injury during training for the Disney Princess Half, and was devastated when my trainer told me to take A MONTH off! Now that I’ve recovered and ended up completing my training, it was all definitely worth it.
Plus my shin is in tip top shape 😉
tree pose! i just love it!
Coming from someone who had extensive knee injuries and surgeries, i think you are doing the right thing!
My favourite is dolphin pose!
I’m pretty much a newbie too but the poses I like best are upward dog, cat, and half pigeon pose. Feels so good 🙂
My favorite is tree pose, it makes me feel so centered and balanced.
Favorite pose-child’s pose. It’s a great stretch plus it’s relaxing at the same time. Such a calming pose.
I am still a yoga ‘newbie’ I would say, but my favorite pose currently is warrior!
I think my favorite yoga pose is child’s pose. SO relaxing!
I love Dancer…such a good stretch!
I’m sorry that you have to take 2 weeks off but, what the other trainer said is really weighty. You do not want this to turn into a lifelong injury!!
Um…I really would like to win this but I haven’t done yoga enough to have a fav pose. Can I enter anyway?? And thanks for the 30% discount!! I have definitely been thinking of incorporating some yoga into my routine!
Pigeon pose all the way, especially after running!
oooh so hard to pick a fave… I think I have to go with eagle or triangle. When I first started yoga I had the most trouble with those two, but now I love!
Love me some P90x yoga, but would love to get something new – pod cast would be great. I haven’t been able to do crow yet. My favorite is too hard to pick, how bout wheel.
Ok, so I don’t know what my favorite yoga pose is because I have never tried yoga. I am a spin class and running junkie and I love me some weights but yoga intimidates me! Could you do a post on how to start practicing yoga? Pretty Please?
The classic downward dog is my fav…I can never get enough of that one! I feel like my muscles literally lengthen by inches when I do this pose.
It is very fitting that you write about this today. I have actually been noticing a few things about my body that I need to start listening to: sometimes cardio feels “hard” on my body. What I mean by that is the pounding and the movement can sometimes feel challenging on my joints + tendons. I think that is a signal to never ignore! To couple your efforts I am going to try yoga podcasts for the first time!!! I can’t wait to see what it is like. 🙂 Awesome thoughts today Gina!
I’m very very new to Yoga but I have enjoyed my attempts at it! I like child’s pose and warrior but I think crow looks awesome and is something I aspire to! Love the blog! Good luck with the knee!
warrior for its intensity..and child’s pose for you know, the relaxation 🙂
I like down dog… as simple as it is, it feels great on my body!
I love pidgeon pose for the stretch!
Oh my goodness! THIS IS AMAZING. My favorite pose is crane pose.
Nothin’ like feeling strong + beautiful at the same time. [:
Warrior 2!!!
Bow pose!
I am such a bad yogi, i dont know what its called! but it is the one in bikram where you sit in between your feet lean all the way back and arch your back up with your arms over your head…haha!
fixed firm pose 🙂
My favorite pose(s) are all those in the warrior sequence. I feel invincible in those stances!
My current favorite pose is Natarajasana (King Dancer pose). I love balancing poses and sequences. And I love your blog! Hope your knee feels better soon.
Warrior!!!!
Pigeon pose it really helps my hips and hamstrings after a run.
I love tree pose!!!!!
I think only good things can come from a hiatus both mentally and physically. You can do it, Gina! 2 weeks is nothing. Some people have an eternal hiatus (they do no cardio at all) and they are still functioning 🙂
My favorite pose is TREEEEEE. It makes me feel rooted.
Downward dog! I always get an incredible stretch no matter how many times I do it!
How Awesome!! My favorite yoga pose is the dancer pose.. mostly because I did ballet for 14 years! It feels natural and is, of course, a great stretch!
I have a tie between the tree and childs pose for favorite yoga pose! Love,love,love yoga download!
My favorite has to be triangle pose. I love the feeling of my hips stacked and my arms and shoulders open wide!
Warrior!! Makes me feel like an action hero grrr!!