yoga of color – Runs With Hips

#SundayFlow

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015 runswithhips

Happy Sunday, ~~Heathens~~ Hip Huggers!
So glad you stopped by to see me before service!

imagesOD9KSIKZ

Let’s!!
****
Sunday vibes begin with #churchflow selfies on the way to worship!
I didn’t wash my hair after yesterday’s run so it looked like a bird’s nest.
I’m ~~thinking something~~ glad nothing flew into it!

Turquoise on #fleek!! I am obsessed with this stone.

***

I didn’t get up bright and early for cardio or stretching, so both must be done today.
First on the agenda was some yoga. My muscles have been mad sore with all this running.
I feel like it took twice as long to push past the muscle resistance as usual today.
I spent a lot of time ~~on my back~~ bending and breathing. Once I loosened up,
#Yogaflow began to feel refreshing, healing even.

Eagle pose is my least favorite yoga pose. Nothing personal, but I just don’t see/feel
the benefits of this pose. There is such a huge risk in too much weight being put on the
supporting knee and you can’t see anything! I just don’t get it. But, all is coming so maybe
some perspective will along with that. Until then, this will be a random thing.

I am a little more partial to backbends. I love anything backbend. This pose was a bit more
challenging coming down on the forearms, and rising up on my toes. Still needs some work,
but practicing backbends often is paying off. Wheel pose variation is workin’

Another great favorite is the Compass pose. I remember posting it on Facebook
and my friends went crazy! Like Barbie doll legs. I tried to convince them
it wasn’t that intense, but does require a great deal of flexibility in the hammies and hips.

Last pose to make the list is this yummy stretch! Upward Dog in my opinion does not
get the love it should, it is not just an easy pose. Those quads burn! I need to regularly
practice anything that stretches these genetically tight hip flexors. I love Upward D!

I have been especially careful about stretching my wrists. I do a lot of inversions,
and recently started practicing peacock pose, an arm balance where to wrists are torqued
backwards and you’re balancing primarily using your abs on your elbows for support an d
digging into your solar plexus. It is ~~brutal~~ challenging, but I’ve made some progress. No, not
enough progress to show but ~~sooner or~~ later, I’ll have something to share! For now, just the stretch.

***

Just wanted to check in and share my yoga on the Sunday afternoon. I’m off for a quick #Strollflow around
the neighborhood to soak in the last bit of sunshine today. Hope all you Hipsters have enjoyed your weekend
and are ready to conquer the Mondays!

Enjoy the rest o’ your Sunday!

Question: Is there a yoga pose you are not so crazy about? Please share!

Fitness, Yoga

Nab the Grab

January 20, 2015January 22, 2015 runswithhips

Helloooo Hip Huggers!!
How was your 3 day weekend?
I spent mine trying get my life together…

Just couldn’t capture it.
***
The weather here in Dallas has been perfect!
The sun has been in a very festive mood.
For the first time in weeks I’ve been able to
expose skin and show off some new kicks!

Speaking of kicks, I haven’t been kicking up my heels running lately.
Not much lifting to report either, but I haven’t been standing still.
I had an awesome yoga session Saturday morning
once I shook off the cobwebs and got down to the mat.
I really just wanted to fold and bend a bit,
so I didn’t set any intentions for practice…

Triangle Pose

I later changed my mind and decided to nab the grab…
Triangle Pose with a Bind

Once I finally opened up and could bend a little,
I warmed up my back and core with wheel pose.
My mantra this year is to open up my back, and I have
been keeping that mindset as I go into every practice.
That may not always happen, but that’s what intentions are all about.
So, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus ~~backbends.~~
I figured I’d see how ready my hands were to nab my feet in a full bow pose…

Nabbed It! I love how yoga always gives me a new
perspective on triumphs. Whether it be trying something new,
or doing something better, yoga has taught me
that any process takes time and in that,
be gentle to yourself and be okay in the ‘in between

Be in the In Between.
How’s this ~~capture~~ for perspective?
***

Now, I am off to Workout + Walk for my WOD!
I’ll catch you Hip Huggers later!

Question: What color is your yoga mat?

Running, Yoga

Catching Up and Coming Clean

September 3, 2014 runswithhips

Hello and Happy Wednesday Hip Huggers!

I had planned on getting up early and running after dropping off the kiddos,

but I saw a huge Dalmatian that stared at me like a bouncer, and I didn’t have a VIP pass…

So, I opted for yoga first.

I just HAD to get back on the ~~wrecking~~ ball today. In a major way.

So, in addition to my regular home practice, I had planned on participating in a four asana

challenges this month…but then, after much thought, decided not to.

In August, I only participated in one month-long challenge, #AumSweetAum hosted by YogabyJo

along with another awesome yogi. There was something so peaceful and fun about that

challenge that I honestly, only wanted to participate in their September challenge, #TulaYogi.

But, I really want to work on yoga sequencing aka yoga flow, so I’m doing #back2bayZITs as well.

That’s not to say I won’t dabble every now and then with some of the other poses from those

other challenges, but as far as commitments go, those are the only 2 my heart was in.

So, morning yoga flow + posted 6 asanas to catch up to Day 3 of both challenges…

Anantasana Variation, Side Reclining Leg Lift w/ Half Lotus

In hindsight, I really could have sharpened up this asana, but no, That’s the beauty of yoga..

it’s your own practice! Some days my body gives 100 %… others, it’s just barely on the mat.

Take it however it comes… because all is coming!

***

Now to running…

I decided I was going to walk or run 30 minutes a day no matter what for the month of September.

Just a little challenge for myself now that the weather is calming down and being outdoors

doesn’t feel like 91~~000~~ degrees. But, I skipped yesterday so now I am in the negative and needed a 4.5 mile run…

~~Just~~ 3 miles done!

Too HOT! Needless to say, I’ll be catching up on a later date 🙂

***

In other non fitness news, I had an amazing conversation with my best friend yesterday.

We both shared in our struggle to stop settling for less in life. We are conquerors and it

can be easy to get discouraged and put major plans for your life on hold until said courage

is at full tank. I think more for me, I realized that is just no longer and acceptable excuse

to not achieve what I want for my life! I want to work in fitness and on a major scale.

I want to teach yoga, fitness, and have a walking club for geriatric, pregnant, and disabled human beings

of the world. My empathetic heart wants to help those that NEED help and can’t do it alone.

So, I just wanted to put that out there for you Hip Huggers. I’ve shared in a dream of mine.

Now, it’s time to make it come true!

Thanks for letting me come clean today!

Question: Speaking of dreams, I started taking 5 HTP and have nightmares!

Anyone else experience that side effect of taking this natural precursor? Let me know!

Running, Yoga

Labor Day Recline

September 1, 2014September 1, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers! Happy Labor Day and the Unofficial End of Summer!

My ~~labor~~ workout this morning consisted of an old faithful 5k run and stretch.

Supta Virasana, or Reclined Hero Pose.

This asana is considered an intense stretch. I recline back from hero very sloooooow.

There are 3 reasons why I think this pose is ideal post run is:

First, it stretches my abs, quads, and hip flexors… all which are really tight after a hard run.

Also, reclined hero pose is a great stretch for the ankles, knees, and arches of the feet, if done gently and not forced.

Lastly, after all the work of our good ol’ spines holding us upright for that tough run,

this pose allows for lengthening of the vertebrae which get a compressed sometimes from poor form.

Just lying in this a minute or 2 helps me tremendously! I am careful to breath and let my body relax in it.

But, if you become uncomfortable at anytime or this stretch is a bit too intense,

I’d suggest maybe using bolsters, blankets, or pillows underneath your head, shoulders and/or your knees for relief.

***

Disclaimer: Though I am a yoga enthusiast, I am not a yoga teacher.
Please exercise caution when attempting any yoga pose, and always honor your body.
The views on this blog are mine alone, based on my own practice.
Please consult a certified yoga teacher for deeper guidance and help with any yoga practice you begin.

***

~~Eat BBQ,~~ Run Happy, Lift Heavy, Stretch Daily, Hip Huggers!!

Question: How long do you stretch after a workout?

Yoga

Favourites Fridays

August 29, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers!!

I know I usually post my favorite workout, recipe, or run of the week on Fridays, but

I had to take a step back from working out at my usual intensity and allow my quad to heal up a bit.

So, the timimg and circumstance is perfect for Favourites Friday to include a Yoga Pose! ~~Or 5!!~~

Or, at least I think I do.

***

My favorite body part ~~of all time~~ to train and strengthen are my hamstrings.

I don’t know if that’s because deadlifts are my all time favorite exercise and that makes for stellar hams,

or because running makes then awful tight and need extra attention.

Either way, I love working them, and strengthening them via running, lifting, and yoga 🙂

Big muscles need lots of oxygen, so they are hard to train. But it must be done!

Don’t skimp on the Deadlifts, Squats, and Lunges, Hip Huggers! They’re your foundation!

Here are some of my Favorite Hamstring awakening Asanas.

Sugar Cane Pose

Crescent Moon Pose Variation

Lizard Lunge

Hand to Big Toe Pose

Not all work and no play… when it’s time to give these hammies a rest…
we invert!

Hollow Back Handstand

Yoga has absolutely seduced me and taken over Favorites Fridays!

Want even MORE yoga? I shared my nightly sweet dreams sequence here.

If you are having a hard tome getting rest,

these poses may just fix you up and get you into a slumber in no time!

Check it out, Hip Huggers!

Thanks for stopping by and have a Great Weekend!!

***

Question: What’s you favorite body muscle to train?

Triangle Pose

Uncategorized

Week Long Runs & Run Downs

June 28, 2014June 28, 2014 runswithhips

Happy Friday, Hip Huggers!

A few pretty cool things happened this week!

Let’s start with Monday

a 5 miler and some yoga pose challenges ~~right~~…

Well, as I was coming to blog ~~about this massive dead turtle seen on my run~~,

my hubby came home with a gift bearing a familiar sentiment…

I got an iPad! A blog reader’s dream! I didn’t even ~~beg~~ ask!

Just Love Him 🙂

So, I’m ~~distracted~~ scrolling through Instagram when I noticed I had a message in my inbox.

It was a fellow fit IG’er, Heartbeat4Many, asking if I’d help host

a yoga challenge ~~but not really a challenge~~ #ShadesofHealth on Instagram.

Then she made a collage of all the yogis participating. I was blown away..

…blown away because I cannot believe someone felt I belonged in this crowd of exceptional yoginis.

I’m so humbled and filled with gratitude. I don’t. deserve. this. attention.

***

Tuesday…

has rolled around. I wanted to get a quick yoga session in before my run.

Another IG’er I follow posted a video of her first successful handstand.

Our fears were very similar, so that gave me a sense of strength in that I could do it, too…

Very proud of that!

But with all the energy given to the excitement of it all,

I needed a jolt of energy to handle this short run…

The beautiful sky honestly was almost enough.

***

Wednesday…

was a pleasant surprise! My neighbor wanted to run along!

I had 3 miles already planned! Perfect distance ~~for our friendship~~ so it was just all meant to be…

***

Thursday…

was a much needed rest day from running.

I had been nonstop since the Week before! I needed to break before I broke myself.

But I did get in some yoga…

**Friday**

Today, my long run was planned. 8 miles was on the menu…

Guess I wanted dessert! Pink Toes!

Today is also my twin son’s birthday and we’re taking them to see Transformers tonight.

So, I’m stealing a few moments with Runner’s World and

a green smoothie bliss and chatting it up with y’all!

Lastly, I got a few questions last week, so I dabbled in vlogging it all!

Check it out!

Question? What are your questions??

Uncategorized

Boom! and Bloom

June 21, 2014June 21, 2014 runswithhips

Happy Solstice, Hip Huggers! Today started out absolutely gorgeous!

Summer is in full bloom!

I jumped in yesterday with a quick share about my natural hair feature, because

a) I can’t hold water, and

b) It was a special post that earned its own special spot.

**Quick Friday Recap: **

Yesterday was my hubby’s birthday so that is my excuse explains by leave of absence.

Not from running though! I got a good run in about 9am.

Funny, my brain said 6 miles and my body adamantly said 5. My plan was to break even, or at least

convince my body that was the plan…

Friday Workout: 6 Mile Run

Clearly, the gams lost… I just have a weird peeve of half miles –

so I knew that wasn’t happening.

Today’s run was a little smoother. I knew I was running 6 miles, so I could totally zone

and win races in my head, as we should.

Saturday Workout: 6.2 Mile (10k) Run + Yoga

Some Sirsasana (Handstand) Love.

And I love this filter! It’s called Bloom.

My shoulder felt good, too! Just needed a few days

To rest I guess, glad I obliged and backed off of the challenges.

I’m good at listening to my body, totally over overdoing it.

***

I’m also ~~totally~~ over 27 miles for the week! Boom.

So a 3 Mile run is the ONLY running I am

Planning to do tomorrow. Boom.

Long time since I’ve been able to

Tout those stats .. ~~boom~~

I’m encouraged!

And rehydrated.

I found this absolutely perfect quote on a Yoga page and

It just absolutely speaks my heart about being the best you…

Bloom Big, Hup Huggers 🙂

Question: Do you find yourself competing? Does it help or hurt you?

Uncategorized

Strep and Long Steps

June 19, 2014June 19, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers!

I spent a lot of time late last night fixing my ~~weird Wordpress issue~~ blog. Booooo.

I’m totally spent. I’ve already had to repost a picture on Instagram

because I don’t know the difference between Day 10 and Day 19.

Fa’ Sho.

My husband is off today, so that meant I got pretty late start considering my sleep was completely

uninterrupted until about 8 am. I had my typical morning of devotional and breakfast

and scrambled ~~eggs~~ to get out for a run before 9 am and it got UBER hot.

Still, apparently not early enough because after just a brief warm-up I was already dumping my rationed water on my head.

~~Which I paid for later~~. But anyway.

I had only planned to run 2 miles, yes exactly 2. Was going to take it real easy;

maybe a longer yoga session, or lift session if the hubby was up to it later.

I certainly did not plan on doing any heavy cardio, especially anything over an hour.

But, I got going and felt good! My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterday’s yoga session so,

I just told myself we were going to run until they loosened up, just a bit.

Before I knew it, I had made up in my mind it was going to be a long run …

Workout: 8 Miles!

I had decided about mile 3 that I was going for 6… then 7.. you know how that goes.

I didn’t even care how slow it was, I just couldn’t shake the urge to run it!

Glad I did. I hadn’t run that long since the Hot Chocolate 15k back in February, and I got

a reality check on the speed I’ve lost.

I’ve got work to do, Hip Huggers.

I wanted to jump ~~off my roof~~ right into yoga after my run, my daughter had been complaining about a sore throat

all morning. I gave her some Tylenol, but still felt I should check her in to see her Dr.

Thank God I did! She has strep throat, poor baby! So, while we waited for her Rx to be filled, I figured

I’d reward us for ~~our~~ her inflamed sufferings this Thursday morning..

Doesn’t get much sweeter than this! Now back to fitness …

Yoga Pose of the Day:

Puvvottanasana, or Upward Facing Bow.

My hips were about as heavy as an actual bridge. But we got ‘em up into a plank! For that, I’m very happy.

And glad that was the extent of the challenges for today.

My shoulder is not pleased. One of the yogi’s I follow, @gypsetgoddess who recently over exerted herself,

gave a very encouraging word in her post today. She said:

“Always practice safety first”.

“Respect your body and limitations.”

“Don’t get so attached to advanced poses”.

“The basics feel just as good”.

.. and THE most wonderful thing I’ve heard on social media yet,

“Taking it easy isn’t the same as taking a step back. But rather a step forward in personal growth.”

Pretty amazing words from a pretty amazing Yogini. Namaste Caitlin 🙂

I’ll let that simmer on your minds. Meanwhile. I’m waiting for the electrician to come look at my kitchen.

The dishwasher won’t come on, the garbage disposal either, and my microwave is not heating anything.

This could get $$$! Then it’d be Kitchen Nightmares, for reals.

Say a prayer for me, Hip Huggers.

Question: Who ran ~~unexpectedly~~ long today? How was the weather?

Uncategorized

Not Namaste…Its’s Okay.

June 17, 2014June 19, 2014 runswithhips

Hello All! How’d your Tuesday Go?

My morning went NOTHING as I’d planned.

I wanted to get out before things heated up but

it was literally a case of one thing after another.

Wasn’t until noon that I actually got outdoors!.

By then it was hot, humid, and I was over my run

before it ever began.

However, I managed to get a solid run in (can’t believe no walk breaks as hot as it was),

but it was very slow going. I was literally out there almost an hour

from warm up to cool down. Not legit in this weather, but

4 miles done!

As peeved as I was I had to wait and run when it was blistering hot,

the drag was likely because I just had not been running,

and certainly had not been running in the heat.

I’m just glad to be home and cooling off. I was beat.

Luckily for me, today’s challenges were leg stretches, so I killed 2 birds with one stone.

Day 17 Supta Samakonasana ..

& Visvamitrasana

First asana, pretty easy. Second asana hard.

I have a real tired right shoulder, so I wasn’t going to

put too much pressure on it. I also have really tight hamstrings and

I didn’t want to piss them off either.

All in all – I’m still a beginner, and I had a pretty

craptastic morning – So, today I cut myself a lot of slack.

Interesting, todays devotional was all about laughter…glad I had that to dwell on all day.

Going to recover and hope for bluer skies tomorrow, Hipsters 🙂

Question: How do you shake a bad day? Is a run/workout the elixir?