I wrapped up my second weekend of yoga teacher training this evening and it was even more incredible than the first. I think that I’ll say this after every training weekend but I am so happy that I decided to go through with it. I can’t even imagine having not done it now. I think that my love for and interest in yoga has already doubled. How is that even possible!?
That said, this weekend was not easy. Saturday was a tough day for me. I really struggled with my practice and just didn’t feel like myself that morning – some of my classmates even picked up on it and asked if I was okay. I think I was just worn down from a crazy week at work and needed to reset. I decided to come home during our lunch break. Seeing Brandon and sitting down for lunch helped boost my mood.
Friday’s sandwich combo was so good that I had to repeat it. Great Harvest Whole Grain Goodness with peach pepper jam, tofu, spinach and brie.
My afternoon was much better. We worked on anatomy, assisting and teaching. I am really enjoying learning all of the assists and I can’t wait to learn enough to start assisting classes. Teaching went much better. I felt much more at ease and natural. I know it’s just going to take some practice to figure out how to teach, assist and be myself but it will come with time!
I rushed home to get ready for a night out with Brandon. We had tickets to see the Bobcats.
One of Brandon’s vendors gave us box tickets so it was nice to just chill and watch the game. Unfortunately, the Bobcats lost but I did get to see Mia Micheals from So You Think You Can Dance.
She was a guest judge for a dance competition at half time. Love her!
I learned from my last Bobcats experience that food options are not to my liking in the arena so we waited until after the game to get dinner.
Sushi! We started with a seaweed salad.
A couple rolls and nigiri. (We split everything.)
Then I came home and collapsed in bed. I was so exhausted from the long day. I slept really well last night and admittedly groaned when my alarm went off at 6:45 a.m. I was feeling pretty tired and unenthusiastic. I was kind of expecting a repeat performance of yesterday’s practice.
I usually don’t eat before practicing ashtanga but I felt like I needed a small something today.
A pumpkin apple muffin from the depths of the freezer. One half with Maple Pumpkin Better Butter and the other with Honey Nut Banana.
Despite my tiredness and the fact that today was my fourth day in a row practicing ashtanga, something was different. We start each teacher training session with an ashtanga practice and I found in my very first sun salutation that my body was feeling very receptive and open to the practice. It felt so good to be in back in my normal groove and feeling the way I usually do in my body. I am always amazed by how different my body can be from day to day. Does anyone else experience that?
This morning we covered more assisting techniques and also did a really cool breathing exercise called Alternate Nostril Breathing. Even if you are not a yogi, I highly suggest trying this at home. We broke for lunch around noon and a group of us went to Earth Fare, home of the best salad bar in Charlotte.
My favorite part of the salad bar is all of the fun prepared salads they have. I started with a bed of mixed greens and then added roasted butternut squash with dried cranberries and walnuts, edamame with mushrooms, curried “chicken” salad and fresh fruit.
I also had a cup of carrot ginger soup that was delicious.
The afternoon session was really fun today. We started out by learning and practicing some Thai massage on each other. Post-lunch massage after four days of practicing ashtanga? Yes, please. I loved it so much that as soon as I came home this evening, I went through it all with Brandon. He was a very willing participant! 😉 We also did some vocal exercises (that involved yelling like crazy people!), writing and talking about life goals. I was actually kind of sad to see 6 p.m. roll around and can’t wait for next weekend!
Brandon has been so incredibly supportive of my training and all the time I’m spending away from home. I called after training to find he’d already taken care of dinner.
He loves making homemade pizza and tonight he went with barbecue chicken pizza.
It was simple and comforting after a long weekend.
Up and at ’em tomorrow to teach 6 a.m. BodyPump! Hope y’all had a good weekend!
