Happy New Year

It's finally here, 2012. Since 12 is my birthday, and therefore favorite number, I have big expectations for this year. Specifically for myself. I believe that personal change and growth can occur at anytime, and don't need to be aligned to the beginning of a new year, but the spirit of change is all around us, and I'm welcoming it with open arms.

I've always kind of had this thing against New Years Eve. It's a great holiday and all, but I feel like it's a bit "what are you doing this weekend?!" times infinity. It's generally a lot of hype, and in my cold Boston case, ends in miserably low temperatures, not enough layers and the inability to locate a cab home. This year, I wanted to do something different.

I looked into midnight yoga classes, perfectly timed so that as the clock strikes midnight, you're laying on your mat, eyes closed, feeling utter peace and bliss. This greatly appealed to me, as I wanted to approach this new year feeling zen and relaxed, and not drunk then hungover. I went to sign up for a class in my neighborhood, but it was unfortunately already booked. Feeling bummed, but determined {I'm extremely stubborn once my mind is set,} I found a yoga podcast, and dug out some 90 or so tea lights.

At 42 minutes to midnight, the length of the class, we light the candles, turned off the lights, spread our mats, and began the class. I selected Eoin Finn's Yoga in Bali, which I had done before and loved. His voice is incredibly soothing, and he strikes the perfect balance between motivating speech, and serene silence. Living in close proximity to Copley Square meant lots of background noise out the window, but we were able to quickly tune it out. As the session came to a close, and we were basking in our post-yoga bliss, we heard the crowed cheer as the new year arrived. I couldn't help but feel an incredible sense of well being and peace - exactly the way I wanted to enter 2012.

Namaste-Away

I recently started going to yoga. I wish I could say regularly, but 4 times in 2011 probably doesn't count. I wish I could say that I'm motivated to go every time, but it's actually because of a friend of mine dragging me that I've gone as much. As an exercise, I actually really do like yoga. I love its similarity to dance, all the stretching, and {let's face it} any exercise that requires me to lay on a mat is scoring major points with me!

The unfortunate thing about yoga, is that there are other people in the class doing yoga. At first I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet friends {because post-college is tough} but after a few classes, I don't think I have much in common with the die-hards. I also find a room full of people very distracting. The teachers stress the importance of being present and experiencing what's going on with your body instead of letting your mind chatter away. However when the guy behind you is panting, the girl in front of you keep nearly kicking your face, and there's a guy in the corner who just smells, it's hard to tune into yourself.

I took a different type of class yesterday, one which I had been really excited about trying. The class was clearly more serious and advanced about yoga than I am. I can keep up easily from all my dance training, I just don't have all the pose names memorized. There was a lot of ego in the class, which is annoying because that's generally the opposite of what yoga is supposed to be. And there was one incredibly distracting woman in the class who with every breath let out a moan.

Not a groan, a moan.

Don't get me wrong, yoga feels great. But it doesn't feel THAT good. And if you're seriously that close to orgasm with each new pose, you need desperately to get laid.

Inspiration on Wheels

While I'm embarrassed that my own city can't boast this, I'm also very inspired..

As someone who has just recently given up having a car, this video really resonates with me. My reason for doing so wasn't largely environmental - it was more that I hardly used my car, it was expensive to keep, and to say parking in Boston is a drag would be the understatement of the century. I am delighted, though, with the environmental impact it has had, and the amount of exercise I'm now getting just by walking.

During the warmer months, I had a 3 mile roundtrip walking commute to work, which took me through the beautiful public garden and commons. Now with the dark nights and the cold, I've finally given in to taking the T, but I still feel good about my decision.

It has proven difficult to see friends, almost all of whom live outside the city. A few live near enough to the train that I can still commute, but for many, visiting them at home is almost impossible. I have grocery stores within walking distance, but to purchase furniture or other heavy items, I need to make arrangements beforehand.

Having a bicycle wouldn't completely eliminate these problems, but it would certainly make getting around easier and less time-consuming. However, I feel that riding a bike around Boston with the awful drivers {I can talk - I was one of them} honestly isn't safe. I've seen the attitude that motorists give to cyclists, and instead of respecting their decision, there is -as the video says- a feeling of two different species. There have been some changes around the city recently, with a bike lane painted onto Commonwealth Ave, but I still don't think my skills/senses are acute enough to get around safely.

I would love to see a movement towards Copenhagen's view on bicycling, for the environmental benefits, the health benefits, and a general respect and kindness towards others.

video borrowed from The City Mouse

Happy {Holi}Days

When looking back on memories, the ones that most often stand out are those unplanned nights with unexpected results.

I was a little sad to be in LA for the Fourth of July, which is sort of funny to me, because it's not like it's my favorite holiday, and I don't even have any traditions that I follow that I would have missed out on. I guess it was just missing the chance to watch fireworks with loved ones that made me a little bummed. What I did end up doing though, was actually a lot of fun. I spent the holiday with WW, a friend of a friend whom I've hung out with a few times out here. He and some friends had planned to go to Venice Beach to watch the fireworks & party.

I leapt at the chance to explore another area of LA {because literally every day off thus far has been spent at the same beach.} I borrowed a bike and we rode the beach path from Santa Monica down to Venice. I couldn't remember the last time I had been on a bike, it was so refreshing and a great way to exercise! We scanned the scene, but were turned off by the huge crowd, so instead we got some drinks and pizza and had a picnic on the beach while we waited for the show to begin. After the great firework display {is there any better place to watch them than from a beach?!} we rode our bikes to this really cool bar in Venice for a few last drinks {had to take advantage of not being in the car!}

Riding back at midnight through the empty streets was such a cool feeling. It was so peaceful at that hour compared to the Fourth of July chaos we had just experienced. By the time I got home to bed I was physically and mentally exhausted, but had a great day. Although it would have been great to be home, I had such an enjoyable night with new faces, and experienced something I never would have done on my own.

I hope everyone had a Happy Fourth, cheers to our freedom :)

A Good Fit

I grew up dancing. My mother {thankfully} started me in a dance class when I was 2, and I didn't stop until college. For me, dance was always an outlet - the exercise part was just a bonus. I danced competitively in high school, practicing ballet, jazz, tap, lyric, modern, and anything else I could try. When I got to college, however, the program at my school was student-run, and mostly consisted of girls who danced for a year when they were 5 and consider themselves dancers. There were a handful of girls like myself who had danced our whole lives, and then there was... everyone else. I joined the dance team for a few semesters, but realized I wasn't getting out what I was putting into it, and my time would be better spent working and making money. Looking at my masses of credit card debt from working at the mall, I was probably better off dancing. But hey, live and learn.

Anyway, since then, I've really been coasting on the residual benefits of having danced my entire life. I'm blessed with a fantastic metabolism, but I know that one day I'm going to wake up and realize I NEED to exercise. Only problem is, I'm very lazy and CANNOT cannot run. I can dance for 7 hours straight, but can't run 7 minutes. I've had a gym membership, which mostly collected dust. I think they have my face on their protein milk cartons. The only types of exercise I don't mind are yoga {because I LOVE stretching and it requires minimal effort} and pilates {laying on a mat? My ideal workout.} In an attempt to motivate myself while being honest with myself {I will never actually go to a gym} I bought myself a pair of Fitflops. If you haven't heard of these shoes, I definitely encourage you to look into them. They're a little cheesy for my taste, but this was the girliest style they had. I know Reebok and other companies have sneakers, but I'm a girly girl to a fault, and just wouldn't wear them.

Now, do they work? I've only had them about a week, so it's probably too soon to tell. But I will say this: I've walked over 8 miles so far this week {thank you MapMyWalk} which is far more than I would have otherwise. {The sunny weather & warm temps in Boston have MUCH to do with that.} Just today, I was meeting some friends downtown, so I threw some heels in my bag, slid into my flops, and did a quick-change right before heading into our venue. So for a girl like me, even if they don't make an enormous difference, the motivation to be out & about walking is more than worth the $60 price tag. No sweating required. :)

xx

Amy