Obviously, I couldn’t decide what to name this post. I usually really struggle with titles but tonight the creative juices were a flowin’ so you get a laundry list.
Another thing I must note is that I’ve discovered the joys of blogging in bed. Last night Brandon was watching True Blood (which I know I’ve mentioned before that I cannot stand) so I came in the bedroom to blog. Late night blogging is so much more enjoyable from the comfort of bed! Repeating that again tonight. 😛
Now, regarding the title of this post…yesterday’s menu planning post was my 100th post and I totally neglected to realize it at the time! For some reason I just really think the 100th post is a milestone. Especially looking back the beginning of this blog. It’s hard to believe how far it’s already come since I started it in April.
Let’s get to the fun entertaining awkward part of this post. If you’ve been reading along for a while you know that I added ashtanga to my yoga practice a couple months ago. And you also know that I have said over and over how terrible I am at ashtanga and how humbling it is to practice this new style of yoga.
I really didn’t know if I wanted to practice ashtanga this morning. I was coming off of an unexpectedly tough yoga practice on Monday night and was really feeling our long, busy weekend in DC and needing sleep. I decided just to set my alarm this morning and see how I felt. I ended up dragging myself to the studio because I knew it was my only chance to practice ashtanga this week (the rest of the week’s classes have been canceled due to a special event at the studio).
I got over my grumpiness as I went through the series. With each pose I was feeling better and better but this morning’s practice was definitely a lesson in humility. It involved lots of awkwardness and a couple of falls. Let me demonstrate how humbling ashtanga really is.
For your entertainment, please enjoy the professional v. amateur comparison. (I reenacted some of this for Brandon in the front yard after I ran this afternoon.)
Take one – Urdva Mukha Paschimottasana.
Take two – Garbha Pindasana
This photo was taken by my teacher against my will (worst picture EVER) after I got myself into this pose (on my own!!!).
And then you’re supposed to roll around nine times to make a circle and this is pretty much what happened to me.
Stuck, bound, on my side. Bummer. Someone please help me out of this.
And finally, take three – Drop Backs. A drop back is where you drop back from standing into a back bend, rock back and forth and then come back up to standing. This morning was my first time trying to return to standing on my own. And this is what came of that…
I fell down, flat on my back on my mat. I swear I used to do this with no problem when I was 16 and cheering. What gives????
Please feel free to laugh. Happy hump day from PBR to my readers. 😀
Moving on…the temperatures in Charlotte today were beautiful. It hovered around 80 degrees or below and the humidity was down. After work I stopped by the market to pick up some fresh produce and then by Great Harvest to get fresh bread for dinner.
As soon as I got home I changed into my running clothes and took Sullie out for an easy run. This was the first time I’ve been able to run her in over a month. It’s just been too hot. She was so excited to hit the road with me!
(And then ashtanga reenactments happened.)
Since it was such a nice evening we decided to switch up our planned dinners and grill tonight.
I seasoned a pork tenderloin with olive oil, salt, pepper, Dizzy Pig Ragin’ River and fresh rosemary, thyme and oregano from our garden. I also put some okra on skewers with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grilled okra is officially my vegetable obsession of the summer. I can’t get enough of it! Brandon grilled everything on the Big Green Egg.
We had sliced heirloom tomatoes and Great Harvest whole wheat sourdough on the side. Brandon had a great idea to grill the sourdough once we went outside to eat (not pictured here) and it turned out amazing.
We grilled peaches for dessert.
And topped them with ice cream, of course! 😉
It was a perfect summer meal. Trying to soak it up while we can. Brisk days full of pumpkin, squash and chili will be here before we know it!
Have you ever been embarassed/humbled by any specific type of exercise?
Lol….love the yoga pictures. Nice to know that I’m not the only person who flops over when trying poses!
Nicole – you are not alone! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Congrats on your 101–that is quite an accomplishment.
The yoga poses are hardcore impressive!
I know…now if only I looked more like the professional version… 😉 Maybe one day?
BAHA! I love the re-enactments! Its kind of like watching a reality show! Next Wednesday, are you down for some early morning Ashtanga?
P.S. those PB bars were a HUGE hit 🙂 Hopefully we can get together next week sometime busy girl!
YES – I’m in for early ashtanga next week. Dying to try Johnna’s class. This is our last weekend of traveling until October so life will hopefully be returning to normal in September! So glad the PB bars were a hit and so jealous of your birthday Avett show. Sounds like y’all had a great time!
As someone whose hamstrings are so tight I can barely get into downward facing dog, I looooooove this post. Hilarity! 🙂
I was giggling from this post. thanks! btw, you totally rock that pose, even if you fell over 😛
This was a great post! I felt the same way when I realized I couldn’t go from bridge to wheel. What the hell? I could do it in High School with no problems! And like you said, I could even do the back drops! Ugh…one day I will do that again! 🙂
I recently began yoga, and I’ve also thought (more than once) that it takes a lot to just participate without becoming tied up in thoughts like “This isn’t working”. I have truly been humbled by the experience, but I know it’s a progression to learning the poses/moves/transitions, and then actually being able to perform them. Keep it up and good luck! You can do it!