What Is It You Choose Today?

After a tough CrossFit workout Saturday with CrossFit Low Oxygen, I so needed a yoga session yesterday.  Plus I'm super stressed with a lot to do and not enjoy time.  Let's just say the tension in my neck is well a pain in the neck!  The 2pm class at Core Power Yoga Highlands location is a CorePower 1.  It's in a warm room and a little slower than the CorePower 2.  I enjoy it because it is a great chance for me to really focus on form and connecting moves to breath.

As today's class started, the instructor Cara said "What is it you choose today?"  Here we go I thought, that's my keyed in phrase of the class.  Then she said if you choose compassion for yourself at in point in class, feel free to go into Child's Pose.  That would be the first pose starting with a "C" that would stand out to me in class.

Starting the class in Child's Pose, gave me a moment to let it all go and realize I was right where I needed to be.  Spiritually, emotionally, physically, and stress level wise I needed to be in that class.

Child's Pose
Photo courtesy Core Power Yoga

The next "C" pose was Crow.  This is a tough one and extremely challenging for me.  Today was the first time since I started going to Core Power Yoga at least once a week since early May that I could hold the pose.  It wasn't for long but I got it.  Everything just clicked for me and I challenged myself to get Crow Pose.

Crow Pose
Photo courtesy Core Power Yoga

The third "C" pose was Camel.  I can actually do this pose, but because it opens up your heart, I'm often flooded with emotions and sometimes a little dizzy coming out of this pose.  But the clarity that suddenly replaces that overwhelming emotional floodgate is simply cool to me.

Camel Pose
Photo courtesy VeganBodyBuilding.com

So what did I choose today?  I chose compassion, challenge and clarity all wrapped up in a 60 minute yoga class.

Kick Butt Pilates & Kinesis

Monday workouts for me mean I'm going to get my butt kicked by my Pilates and Kinesis trainer Erin at Pura Vida Club.  I've been working out with her almost every Monday since November.  It's an hour and a half workout starting first with 30 minutes of Kinesis then hour Pilates.  Erin is a former collegiate Lacrosse player and did her Pilates training in California.  She's a combination of competitiveness, caring, and just plan old going to push you farther than you think you can mentality.  So today Kinesis starts with jumping rope then quickly into a series of moves with cables, lunges, squats, core moves.  Kinesis is a resistance training that has strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, and balance benefits while burning up to 30% more calories than traditional strength training.  I was an absolute sweat monster after 30 minutes.  We did some new ab moves using bench and Bosa ball so I'm probably going to be sore tomorrow!  In Pilates we did today's session on a piece of equipment called the Cadillac.  Lots of focus on hamstrings, abs, and shoulders today.  Plus a lot of stretching including splits....not quite as flexible as I used to be so the stretching is huge for me.  If you're looking for a workout that will kick your butt and get strength, cardio, and flexibility in the session then the combo of Kinesis and Pilates is for you.  Erin kicks my butt but I love the training!  And yes I'll be sore tomorrow....