Gyms - the sunny side, the dark side

I am blogging today to try and reach those who eschew gyms.

I have never been a gym monkey. Yes, I taught group fitness for more than a decade. That is different than dragging your sorry butt to the gym, bag on shoulder, to hit the elliptical, treadmill or other.

I have joined the ranks of the gym rats who scurry to the club in droves to put in the requisite one hour four to five times a week. I lock up my valuables, head to the machines and sweat while reading or watching something completely mindless on a small screen. Sounds perfectly awful, doesn't it?

Well...truthfully I kind of like it. I feel very anonymous at the gym, lost in a sea of otherwise preoccupied people -each pursuing his or her own fitness goals. The routine is comforting. I love knowing that if I recognize the girls at the desk it means I am at the gym often enough.

I might even venture into the Group Ex room (once I get past the overwhelming sense of "deja vu" from my fitness instructor past) and join the odd class.

Just in case this all seems too Pollyanna there is a dark side. People sweat on the machines. Alot. There is disinfectant spray at the ready but don't count on anyone using it. On top of that is the male cologne and female perfume that is amplified by the buckets of sweat. The resulting aroma would offend even the most insensitive of noses.

I wash every machine before (and after) I use it and have insulted more than one "perfumed" person by moving away to another, further machine. I am anal retentive about my flip flops and my weight machine gloves.

So there you have it. The two faces of Health Clubs - friend and foe. Only you can decide if it works for you.

When you least expect it

I have tried many yoga studios as well as a home practice. I love the freedom of practicing at home at my leisure, and YogaGlow is great. They have a wonderful selection of classes and of teachers. I have tried the Yin, Flow, and some very short classes that fit the bill for my needs when I only had a small window within which to practice.

The other day I was picking up some of my favorite gluten free cookies at his wonderful Argentinian bakery (yum) and I took a minute to watch a yoga class "in session" at Adishesha Yoga. The teacher was focused on each student, the class was small and I was lulled into a calm state watching. (first good sign).

The next day I visited the other location and upon walking in it felt right. There was a zen feel and it was really quiet. I felt that I had stumbled upon something.

What I am noticing now is that I veer away from the fray and to whatever makes my mind and body feel calm. I am (at this late stage) becoming much more of an "individual", relying on my own instincts and my emotional intelligence. I like that.

I will visit Adishesha next week to try a class and I have high hopes. My lesson this week: trust yourself. Believe in yourself. Be good to yourself. Namaste.

All that glitters..

I work - when not producing block covers - as a conflict resolution expert and workplace wellness consultant. This past week I tried to convey to someone how it feels when I am conducting my interviews. I see this big puzzle in my mind with missing pieces. As I see trends and commonalities, recommendations begin to emerge and the puzzle pieces audibly click together in my head.

This past week was a bit like that, but more with respect to my other yoga-inspired business and maybe my life. The people I meet, the decisions I take, the "coincidences" that have presented in odd ways etc. There is an aura of positivity where before there was none. It is inspiring.

This afternoon in my bath (little personal here) I was doing tortoise pose. I like to do that pose during my bath. It is very, very relaxing. When I bent forward there were a thousand brilliant, flickering crystals of color on the water (prisms of color from the ayurvedic bubble bath). It was unlike anything I had ever seen - glittering, moving, changing crystals of all the gem colors. I stayed watching them until the last ones disappeared as the shadow from the window took over. Breathtaking.

What this proved to me is that you can find beauty in the most unlikely of places. It is always there. It is often missed. Today I stopped to take note.

A soft place to lay my head

Yesterday in Yang / Yin class, after an invigorating yang practice, we settled into the yin portion of the class. Edith is a seasoned, lovely teacher and we moved through a sequence of yin postures that were sure to stretch even the most stubborn of fascia. This said, during one stretch she had us on our stomachs, over on one side with our arms outstretched - in order to open the chest. I chose to support my neck/head on a block.

This was one of those moments where I was so happy to have my yurblock covers (not a promo guys, just the facts). My face was sweaty, the block was "freshly" sweaty from the previous class, and I got to lay my head on a soft cover. I was happy. My skin was happy.

It is not often that we get to sell something that we truly and passionately believe in but I am blessed to be able to do just that. I used my covered block in almost every yin pose (sometimes two covered blocks for the hip openers) - and some yang (half moon) and it gave me a sense of comfort.

I am off to a flow class soon and will bring my trusty covers with me - maybe the pink ones today!

Cheers.

www.yurblock.ca

Ready get set go!!

Tomorrow is convention day. SO excited and also never thought that my brain could multi task the way it has this past week. The exhilaration of launching Yurblock and the excitement of presenting it to thousands of people is such a high.

Today is travel and set up - tomorrow the show. I feel so confident in the need for this product and that the yoga community will embrace it. It is versatile, soft and comes in yummy colors. This is my first "show" so a total newbie. 

I am a professional coach and mediator and know how important it is to stay focused and think positive. I get that the churning feeling in your stomach is great because it proves that you are invested in the product, in the success.

I already have my next product in R&D and it, too, will be something that I know will be loved by all yogis and yoginis. For now, I need to just breathe.....

 

Yurblock coming in 4 days!!!

Hey all. Four days to the Toronto Yoga Conference and the launch of my new yoga inspired product, Yurblock. I am SO excited to see this product out there and hopefully in the hands of many yogis and yoginis who appreciate clean, colorful yoga. I will be at Booth 1336A in the marketplace and hope to see anyone there who is attending!

These last months have been a long haul - three jobs (mom, entrepreneur, busy conflict resolution specialist/mediator). Whew.

I love this product. I use it and have for months (through all the prototypes). It is a really nice addition to my practice, and especially my hot yoga practice. I had great input from family, friends and fellow yoga devotees. I don't want to give too much away yet but I will be tweeting (@Yurblock) about the product at the launch.

I am proud that my product is Canadian made (right here in Ottawa!). That was important to me when I started the R&D and manufacturing phase. It did, however, mean that I am immersed in the the business almost 24/7 and for anyone out there thinking of running a "start up" it is no easy task. The days and nights are long but as it all comes together.....serendipity.

When Life gives you Lemons Squeeze them Quietly

Spring has sprung! Or at least that is what my thermometer is telling me. Just looking out my back window might contradict that as there are still high banks and mounds of snow in my yard. I believe that I have turned a corner in my life which, at my age, is somewhat of a necessity as there tends - at this stage of life - to be more of the straight and narrow and fewer corners. I am learning to live in the moment, the day, out of my head and in the world. That is a big challenge for me. I have what is fondly referred to as "monkey mind" which is difficult to calm and once quieted almost impossible to sustain. I am determined to master this. I feel that somehow it is my key to happiness and if not that then surely to mental well being.

Today I have a medical procedure and I will use my mindfulness to sail through this and then to approach the rest of my day in repose, reading and recovering. It almost feels like a holiday without ever having to get on a plane. Who knew that peace was so close...