Hiatus + Yoga Lovin’

Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday 😀 Hope you’re having a good morning.

buddha2

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…

crow

Or dancer

yogaaaaa

And my downward facing fun children 😀

yoga

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

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455 Comments

  1. gabi on March 23, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    i love bridge and full wheel!



  2. Julie @SavvyEats on March 23, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    Pigeon! It feels so good on my IT band and hips!



  3. Nina on March 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Downward-facing dog. I used to HATE this pose, because I’ve always had weak arms and weenie wrists. But it feels soooo good on my lower back, and after sticking with it, it doesn’t bother my arms/shoulders/wrists any more!



  4. Krysta on March 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    I’m pretty new to the yoga world, so my knowledge of poses is relatively limited but I’m a huge fan of the warrior series of poses as well as the extended side angle pose. One day I would like to be able to rock out the craziness that are the arm balance poses, but I’m not quite there yet.



  5. Stacy on March 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Pigeon for sure!



  6. Ellie on March 23, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    I love frog pose!!



  7. Samantha on March 23, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    I don’t have a favorite pose because I am yet to do yoga, but what a wonderful giveaway! Good idea to taking time off. It’s best to listen to your body!



  8. Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) on March 23, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    I think it is imperitive you take time off if your knee is still bothering you! I hope it gets better now!

    I love Dancer pose =D

    xo
    K



  9. Stina @ Girl Can on March 23, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Pigeon pose is where it’s at for sure! I feel like my hips are always so tight – especially after a run – so I love the deep hip stretches in general.



  10. Ian on March 23, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    I’m also new to yoga (but starting a weekly class next month!) and I really like the warrior poses as well 😀



  11. Kelly on March 23, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Hee hee…child’s pose! I have very little yoga experience but would definitely like to like to learn more. I am an avid runner, and I think I need more balance with my workout.



  12. shanna on March 23, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    i love balancing poses… revolved half moon or tree.



  13. Kelly on March 23, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    I’m going to have to try out some of the podcasts, I always struggle when I can’t get to the gym!

    My favorite is half-moon and garland pose!



  14. Kelsey on March 23, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Pigeon is the best for my poor buns and hips! 🙂



  15. Melissa on March 23, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    I love wheel. I feel pretty cool doing it! 🙂



  16. katie r on March 23, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    I love “happy baby”. It never gets old.



  17. Beth on March 23, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    I’m a big fan of boat pose. A classic Downward-facing dog is always good, too.



  18. grace b on March 23, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    My favorite pose in downward dog. Why? Because it stretches all of my muscles, challenges me (working each time I practice to get my heels on the floor!) and feels so comforting when I return to it after a series of tough poses.



  19. sue-ellen on March 23, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    I love downward facing dog!



  20. amanda on March 23, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    i am LOVING dancer right now…



  21. Alex J on March 23, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    How aobut two favourites?! I love pigeon and cow face. Deep hip stretches = love.



  22. bob on March 23, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    downward dog is great in my book. although a good warrior I is a close second.



  23. fran hlavacek on March 23, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I love tree pose. Balance and focus; lovely!



  24. halima on March 23, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    i’ve never done yoga and would love to give it a try!!!!



  25. Christina on March 23, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    I like downward-facing dog! After doing a bunch of them ah! I couldn’t feel better!



  26. Katy on March 23, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I love the warrior poses. They make me feel…like a warrior! Tehehe 😀



  27. kirsten on March 23, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I am pretty new to yoga so I don’t know many advanced poses. I love downward facing dog



  28. Gina on March 23, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    I love Triangle pose…it feels so great on my hamies! I’m still trying to get into crow and I know it will be my fav once I get there because I have been working on it for so long!



  29. Kat on March 23, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    My favorite pose is tree pose. Its not too exciting but it always makes me feel open, balanced, and just plain awesome 🙂



  30. Stina @ Girl Can on March 23, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    I’ve never purchased anything from YogaDownload before, but I’ve considered it a few times. Thanks for much (to you and YogaDownload) for the coupon code. I’m definitely going to be taking advantage of it!

    I’m wondering if there are any particular classes/ downloads you personally like/ would reccomend at the early intermediate level?



    • Fitnessista on March 23, 2010 at 3:57 pm

      i’m not sure of a particular one, but i know that they specify the levels for each podcast. definitely check it out- it’s an amazing resource



  31. Allison @ Food For Healing on March 23, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    ya dude chill out! You need to rest and heal or else you will always hurt, and that would just suck! Cheers to a speedy recovery



  32. Jennifer R. on March 23, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    downward facing dog is my fave! Awesome giveaway — very exciting!! 🙂



  33. Chelsea on March 23, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Favorite pose is downward dog! Simple, but challenging for me because my hamstrings are super tight so it feels so good!



  34. Lindsay on March 23, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    My favorite is probably downward facing dog because it works my wimpy arms. However happy baby makes me want to giggle every time. 🙂



  35. Sara @ OurPrivateKitchen on March 23, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    What a fun giveaway Gina! And I agree on the knee. While it’s not easy to sit out and “restore”, ultimately it will pay off. Your knee needs some rest time to recoup and heal. As for my favorite pose, I would have to say downward dog. I often get very tight hamstrings and calves and this totally gives me a great stretch.



  36. Kim on March 23, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Just one favorite pose?!??! Hmmm, perhaps extended tree pose (especially if it’s not a “windy day in the forest” and I actually have some balance about me that day.

    Rest up on the knee! I had some knee issues, too, last spring after a half marathon and after taking a couple of weeks off, it was as good as new. It plagued me throughout the last few weeks of training and I was so afraid of it lingering long after the race, too. But, it’s fine and dandy these days!

    Good luck!



    • Fitnessista on March 23, 2010 at 4:14 pm

      good to know! mine started to bug me at the end of training, too. i think i was just overdoing it. xoxo



  37. Cyndi on March 23, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Favorite pose by far is pigeon … I could stay there forever!



  38. Melissa G on March 23, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    OMG free yoga! My fav pose is Crow. I don’t know why, I just love it and secretly scream inside when the teacher says, “Now we’ll do crow”. I’m such a nerd! 🙂



    • Fitnessista on March 23, 2010 at 4:24 pm

      i do, too! i get so excited!



  39. LeeAnn on March 23, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    My favorite pose is dancer: I just feel so elegant!



  40. Meg on March 23, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    I love Triangle Pose!



  41. Courtney on March 23, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    Corpse Pose! Haha, really I think triangle or dancer; I feel very yoga-ish when I’m in them (if that makes any sense).



  42. Laura Miller on March 23, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    Pigeon is my favorite, but tree is a close second!



  43. Shannon on March 23, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    Glad you’re taking it easy & taking care of yourself! My fav pose is pigeon. So nice after a run 🙂



  44. kaitlynn on March 23, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    hmm… crow! no, tree! whatevs, i like ’em all. 🙂



  45. Eileen on March 23, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Pigeon for sure, awesome for the hips and knees!



  46. Simone on March 23, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    My fav is downward facing dog. Hope your knee starts to feel better soon.



  47. Julia on March 23, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    I love Tree pose and the different Warrior poses — they make you feel strong!



  48. Katie on March 23, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    OH MY GOSH THIS IS THE BEST GIVEAWAY EVER. I love YogaDownload! I’m already planning on resting and strengthening after my half marathon with yoga.

    My favorite pose is half-pigeon! Makes my hippies feel so good 🙂



  49. Holly on March 23, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    Savasana! That’s riiiight.. corpse pose is my absolute favorite after an intense yoga session. Nothing better than the calm feeling that radiates throughout your body during it. <3



  50. Hena on March 23, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    Lotus pose! It helps me center myself after a good yoga workout and a great start to the day!