No Pun Intended
Posted: May 21, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, exercise, free range, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nebraska, Omaha, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga, Yoga Rocks the Park 16 CommentsYou may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one-
I often feel like I’m cycling into a 40 knot headwind when it comes to writing about mindfulness, wellness and other stuff here on this blog-o-thing. From the yoga fashionistas who regard me incredulously when I say that “looking good” is a selfish goal to set in yoga class, to the pervasive but iniquitous message that we all just need to participate in more mud runs, be more extreme, elite, hardcore in order to live a healthier life, my increasingly strong belief that we are going about this all wrong is not a popular one to say the very least.
Every now and then I meet up with some kindred spirits during a walk or brisk bike ride, who confirm what we see every day, but choose to ignore: Despite being a society hopelessly obsessed with health, longevity, exercise and taking pictures of food, we are in fact unhealthy, unhappy and bereft of many of the simple joys of life as a direct result of our obsessions.
How about we abandon the idea of exercise as a virtuous counterbalance, absolve ourselves of the guilt that inevitably accompanies unfulfilled resolutions, tune out the constant exhortations to “get ripped”, lose weight and instead embrace the simple pleasure of putting one foot in front of the other, simply because we were born with the ability to do so and we too often don’t.
Let’s cut right to the heart of what’s wrong with our attitudes in regards to mindfulness and wellness. Despite the thousands we spend on failed gym memberships, seldom used exercise equipment and wearing the latest fashions to yoga class. We are tormented by self-loathing, guilt and doubt. We live in a world where our motivation to move is increasingly thwarted and sapped at every turn. The next time you stare out the gym window—you know the one, where everyone around you is trotting along on a dreadmill despite the fact that the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day outside? Ask yourself: Why is going for a run, a bike ride or walk outside such an absurd idea?
Notes
Look to a simpler place for your satisfaction this morning. Hint: It’s not in the latest edition of Shape or the ever so popular Yoga Journal. What you find may surprise you …
If you see some random dude(s) doing a spot of yoga in a park this weekend? Wave hello and join us!
Hold Om
Posted: May 14, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, dancing, emotions, exercise, family, free range, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, whole foods, WOD, yoga, Zen 26 CommentsThose who do not move, do not notice their chains-
Can someone please answer this seemingly “simple” question: What the heck is progress?
Let’s narrow our focus on yoga for our conversation this morning … Progress on your trusty yoga mat looks and feels rather different from a straight gravel road shooting up over the horizon. After a few sips of juniper berry infused mead, I like to think of progress on the mat as more of a dance, the rumba to be more specific. Two steps forward, one step back, a smile, loosening up a bit, three steps forward, two confident steps back. We seem to find our own pace, our own rhythm even if it takes a few drinks.
Progress with yoga often gets worse, much worse before it gets better. Being a dude I didn’t know this initially and I thought I was losing control of both my mind and body. I was confused (this is very easy for me) because I thought that yoga was supposed to strengthen me both spiritually and physically – Instantly.
What I didn’t know at the time was that this dance backwards was the very beginning of taking a few gentle, confident steps forward. I had to regress before I could start once again to creep ahead. Just like an infant crawling on their little hands and knees, I needed to learn how to roll over, sit up, fall down and crawl before I could walk (literally).
Sometimes I didn’t want to get up after falling down. Looking back, I don’t know how I got up on my feet again after the trying times, life. Eventually I did. Then I stumbled and fell again back onto my mat. Clumsily I rose to my knees, then to my shaky feet once again. This morning I stood straight after riding my bike to work. This is my dance in life.
Notes:
Learning to love yourself, to take care of your emotional and physical self. This is how I define progress.
Lately
Posted: May 9, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, Deborah Garrison A Working Girl Can't Win, free range, happiness, health, hipster, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, paleo, passion, pilates, Romance, running, Seduction, whole foods, WOD, yoga Leave a comment… I can’t help wanting us
to be like other people.
For example, if I were a smoker,
you’d lift a match to the cigarette
just as I put it between my lips.
It’s never been like that
between us: none of that
easy chemistry, no quick, half automatic
flares. Everything between us
had to be learned.
Saturday finds me brooding
behind my book, all my fantasies
of seduction run up
against the rocks.
Tell me again
why you don’t like
sex in the afternoon?
No, don’t tell me–
I’ll never understand you
never understand us, America’s strangest
loving couple: they never
drink a bottle of wine together
and rarely look at each other.
Into each other’s eyes, I mean.
– Deborah Garrison A Working Girl Can’t Win
Notes:
How hard is it to put down the gadgets, pull your lover close, eye to eye, heart to heart, open a bottle of wine, chill?!?
Everybody Pass Me By
Posted: April 5, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, Envy, exercise, free range, gluten free, Greed, Guilt, happiness, Hatred, health, hipster, hope, Jealously, jogging, kettlebell, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, natural, paleo, perspective, pilates, pride, recovery, running, Shame, trail running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 4 CommentsHow many things one should disregard in order to act-
Preface: The post that follows evolved from a discussion between some dude and a highly motivated yoga fashionista/passionate runner …
We see it everywhere: More and more well-intentioned, active people who use “data” to solve the “problems” in their life. More specifically: Using the endless amounts of data we collect from our gadgets to help us run, bike, swim and supposedly live a better more fulfilling life.
Here are a few ideas that have been lost in the space-time continuum, hidden under the centre couch cushion … let me flip it over for you.
“My lap times are abysmal! I need to shave off at least ten seconds a lap to compete in my next triathlon!”
Look at the “problems” you face not as problems but as challenges. Difficult experiences and situations in life can be excellent opportunities for growth, exploring new possibilities. Most importantly perhaps, do not run (swim) away from your problems. It’s impossible to run away, analyze downloaded data and grow simultaneously.
“I’m supposed to get 35-40 miles in per week to maintain my training schedule for my first ultra-marathon this September … ”
Be gentle, take care and be kind to yourself. As humans, parents, lovers, friends and somewhere way down the list: Athletes .. we always have something that needs a little work, some tweaks here and there and improvements to be made. The process of becoming who we want to be, starts with acceptance of who we are, right now.
“Racing in this new age group is rather intimidating. It’s like my 9am yoga class.”
By focusing on the right attitude for “life” and paying little attention to differences? We are afforded the ability to carry over lessons we learn within everyday life. Completely accepting of the fact that differences exist between all of us and these differences always will. If we continue to stay focused on what divides us instead of what unites us? Our ego will inflate in such a way that our thoughts will change from being positive to being negative.
Notes:
Data can be really useful to us, there’s no doubt about it. Although I passionately feel that if we fail to address and discuss: Envy, Shame, Guilt, Pride, Lust, Hatred, and Greed … These emotions lead to a negative emotional state, one that provides little gain, much like the data we use to comfort our soul.
Be well this weekend.
Flypaper
Posted: January 28, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: Bliss, blogging, crossfit, exercise, fitness, free range, gluten free, happiness, health, Heaven, hipster, hope, intensity, jogging, kettlebell, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, motivation, natural, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, Wonder, Wrtiting, yoga 14 CommentsMy God, a moment of bliss. Why, isn’t that enough for a whole lifetime?-
What if we told you that finishing a marathon, cycling a century, putting up max numbers in the gym, advanced yoga poses, holding a plank for ten minutes … Really don’t matter much?
The ritual does, the preparation, all the hard work, the failure before the activity. Slow down this morning and explore this profound idea with us.
All of the above activities (and more) have a few things in common.
The entire family, including your friends can participate in them. Walking, running, cycling and especially yoga. You don’t have to be “talented” or “skilled” to have fun with your family and friends. There’s no one to impress
By slowing down to savor the ritual, you are afforded the time to socialize and enjoy yourselves. Let’s use cycling as an example: You can tease the dudes in your group about their freshly shaven legs and their choice of skin-tight lycra. When you run out of things to share, you can ease into the saddle and enjoy the scenery rolling by.
Often times when we plan a big, wonderful and memorable “LIFE” changing event: Our very first marathon, first time showing up for yoga class, the sleepless night before your first 5k (look through your blog roll today). We forget about where our journey started. The thing is, our lives are made of so many touching small memories, this is our foundation in life.
The Workout-
A light and flowing Warm Up: Tumbling, Rolling and Jump Rope.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Ring Dips, Ring Perfect Push Ups, Ring Rows
Notes:
Too many times we only focus on the end result and not where our journey began … Bike ride to the park, a few drinks with friends after a grueling trail run, tying your shoes properly in the morning. The simple things in life truly are heaven.
CultFit 