I can’t believe summer is already half over! And what have I done? What has become of training? What has become of yoga practice?

Ack!

Well…. let’s see. There’s been camping. There’s been managing kids and whatever school we are squeezing into our days. There’s been lots of company. And recently, there’s been work- yup, paid work. I’ve been shooting a lot! And of course… there’s the beach. We go to the beach. That’s it in a nutshell. And currently, we are entertaining more company… Oh, and potato chips. Yes, lots of potato chips!
However, despite a crazy, busy work week ahead (causing me to bail on half-marathon as I booked a wedding that same afternoon and thought it best not to run almost 13 miles beforehand lest I puke on poor, unsuspecting bride) and a hectic visit to hubby’s hometown in Northern Virginia, I am going to implement change.

Documented here. Yes, here. Change. OK. Not great, fundamental change. But after I booked the gig for next weekend, I pretty much gave up training, in any form. Over the past three weeks I have done largely nothing of a physical nature.

So, MommyOm to the rescue. Good eating… yoga practice… walking and/or running… and hey, five pounds, to boot, happens here. Motivate me, Mommy Om… I’m relying on the power of public record….
Heeeeere we go!

It’ll be Canada Day and this time just a fun, shorty-sprint Tri with a few cheater options.  It’s the first in our area and in an effort to make it accessible and have it take off for years to come, it’s been made as appealing as possible to draw participants.  In an effort to do our part to support the event, we have signed up.

The only hitch to this event is that, after a comfortable pool swim in our local hot springs, the rest is all up-hill trails.  We have to make our way up to our local ski hill, where we finish at our local Canada Day festivities.  All hot, sweaty-stinky.

Pass the beer!  It’s actually included in my registation fee… and I get a t-shirt… and a burger.  Like I said, a fun event.

I’ve got to get in the habit of practice though.  With the consistent training for these events and this includes a half marathon the second weekend in August, I can feel everything shortening.  My flexibility is lacking badly.

Despite our busy day, I’d like to get in a half hour today.  Even if it’s just a long series of Sun Salutations.  I needs my yoga!!

Three kids. Now, I know there are those of you out there who manage a regular practice, family, preparing well-balanced meals all while representing NATO and vacuming your living room. I am not one of these.

I blog. I homeschool. I take pictures. I write some. I cook meals. Oh… and none of these on the same day.  Oh no. My head would surely explode… much to the entertainment of said kids.

I squeeze in yoga practice quarterly. It seems, at best. And now, I have taken on a shorty sprint triathlon bearing down mid-June. Wha- how?!?

And on top of it all I want to resume- no, institute- a regular yoga practice. I enjoy it, dammit. My body responds well to it. However, despite these facts that should make for easy prioritization- no go. Despite all of the reasons I have for pursuing an active and regular practice I am also quite attached to the excuse that I don’t have a viable space in this, our little Rocky Mountain cottage house, in which to achieve this noble goal. The reasons for this again come down to prioritization- or keeping yoga space effectively tidy of kids toys, dog hair and old popcorn kernels. It seems hard pressed to happen.

But it will! It must! This nearly 40 year old sack o’ bones needs it in order to make it through this coming event.

Here’s to the power of a blog to assist!

It’s been a while. The classes, as well as my own practice, were derailed late this winter due to a change of ownership at our lovely venue. In the case of my practice… well, that’s just a matter of prioritization. And I didn’t do it well.

I have a triathlon looming mid-June and I pick up posting in this here blog for the same reasons I started it: greater accountability and a place to keep record. And so, here… back to ‘keep record’ and I wake up to snow… yet again.

This winter seems as though it will never end.

And rather than fixating on how I am allowing the consistently cold and nasty weather to impede my training, perhaps it’s time to roll out the mat and resume a sense of flow.

Hmmmmmm………….

 Yoga is the fountain of youth.  You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.
  ~Bob Harper

Supposedly, one of the most common excuses for not doing yoga is a lack of flexibility.  And I am sure that this is the case for those who have yet to engage in any type regular practice.  For those considering starting out, flexibility or even just the ability to bend and stretch some and the potential discomfort associated would be discouraging or even prohibitive.

OK.  So, nya-nya-nya to those of you who think you have a legit excuse. 

What would be a legitimate excuse for those of us who, say, try to maintain a regular practice… or, let’s say, talk about a regular practice… or, how ’bout, have friends and neighbors convinced we have a regular practice? 

A crazy week of homeschool and deadlines.  It’s all I got.  However I have a second class to prepare for and so, this will be a weekend of enthusiastic and energetic yogic activity. 

Now, when I started this PLOG, it was to be a motivational tool.  When I am doing it, I love yoga, but for some reason it is the hardest thing to incorporate into my day…

One issue facing my developing a regular practice:  a warm, tidy and peaceful place.  This is probably my biggest challenge.  Or at least my biggest excuse.  So, in an effort to render this challenge/excuse null and void, I am creating such a space. 

It won’t take long and I will be back to resume a regular practise. I’m almost there.

I have essentially abandoned not only what was becoming some semblance of regular yoga practice, but I haven’t even walked my dog!

New Year’s Resolution:   Minimum half hour, at least three times practice each week, which will be followed by regular PLOG updates.  Oh, and walk the dog- most EVERYDAY!

There you have it…. the internet is sort of like stone, isn’t it? 

It’s been six days since last practice.  Is this going to be merely a “noplog” (no practice log)?!?!  Put it down to holiday chaos, I guess.  Perhaps I can squeeze something in later today…

I’m now 39.  Let’s get this in gear, gal!  This plog is supposed to work as a motivational tool- perhaps now that I’ve said it, I’ll make sure it happens… hmmmmmmm.

Things have been crazy this past week: snow days, travel, not-so-great eating!  OK, so excuses, all.  I am ready to resume practice and will be sure to take the time today.  It’s a relaxed Saturday, so I will have no reason not to….