I arrived home from the beach on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. By 7 p.m. I was on a rooftop preparing to practice yoga to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.
My yoga practices have been few and far between lately and this one felt good…and right. I wasn’t even planning on attending the event but I saw a Facebook message that there were spots available because people were canceling due to the heat. I am so happy that I decided on a whim to go.
(photo – Wanda Koch)
We started the practice by laying on our back with one hand on our heart and one hand on our stomach while staring up at the sky. In that moment I felt a calm that I haven’t experienced in quite some time. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be in Charlotte, to be a part of the yoga and fitness community and for the opportunities that have come my way. I had a glimpse of, “I’m okay with where I am in this moment.”
(photo – Wanda Koch)
Given that Saturday was blazing hot with temperatures well over 100 degrees, I expected rooftop yoga to be a major sweat fest. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was actually very nice out. We were in the shade, the sun was setting and there was a breeze.
A big, big thank you to Adam Whiting for leading us through practice. Adam and I completed teacher training together and he has gone on to become an integral part of yoga in Charlotte. He is a natural and talented teacher and truly speaks and teaches from his heart. If you’re in the Charlotte area, check out his class. And thank you to Lululemon for hosting the event. It was wonderful and just what I needed coming off of a crazy beach trip.
Sullie has also been in recovery mode from our trip. It’s been so hot and she’s so tired that I’m having trouble getting her to even eat.
Since returning home I’ve been eating a lot of salads.
Back on the yogurt and fruit breakfast routine.
Fajitas for Sunday night dinner.
Changing topics. I was subbing a yoga class (I miss it so much I can’t even talk about it) and I talked to the class about how I always view the beginning of a new month as a fresh start. July brings not only a fresh start but also the halfway mark of 2012. Six months behind us, six more to go. I encouraged my students to think about how their year was going. Where they thought they would be by this point? What’s going right? What needs to change? How can that happen? I reminded them that they are in control of their lives and to take action. I didn’t even care that they weren’t my regular students and didn’t know me. When I have something to say and it doesn’t feel forced, then I simply have to say it. They’ll just know me as the kind of intense and hard yoga teacher who popped in to teach their class out of nowhere. 😉
Source: onherway.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest
So, six month check-in. How’s it going for you? What are you happy with and what needs to change?
Rooftop yoga sounds amazing! So, I have a question for you. I usually hit up a yoga class once a week and am missing it this week due to vacation. I’d like to be the kind of person who can bring my yoga mat with me and practice on my own, but never really figured out how to do so- just try to remember the sequences? Any tips for solo yoga beginners?
Beautiful post, Jen. So glad you had a wonderful beach weekend, and that you were able to end it with a wonderful yoga practice. Thank you again for sharing your beautiful life and for all your inspiration. My mom shared the following with me the other day, and it really touched me, so I wanted to share it with you …
“Be who you are and love what you love. Reserve the right to be wrong. If things take an occasional turn you hadn’t planned on, don’t be tempted to call it a mistake. Just call it life! And tuck the experience in your back pocket for safe keeping. Pretty soon you can take it out, share it with someone else and call it wisdom.”
I really like this quote!
I am in absolute shock that the year is half over! Thank you for pointing it out – I feel like i have a lot I need to reflect on and should spend some time making goals for the last half of the year!
What a fun event! Love that workout top.
You look so strong in that pose and I love that feeling of all is well. I put some ice cubes in my dog’s bowl every morning so the water is very cold. He won’t eat either when he’s too hot. I wish you were my yoga teacher, you ask the best questions that make me reflect inward. All my goals are on track and I’m really happy with where I am right now. 🙂
We have Lululemon rooftop yoga here in St. Louis also- always a welcomed addition to my yoga routine. Glad you found peace in your practice 🙂 and thank you for the reminder to reflect and take control!
Happy Birthday Sullie… Glad that you had a really nice weekend, it is so nice to break away sometimes for a change of pace.
Wow Rooftop yoga looks amazing!!! I’ve never seen that here in Boston but we need one for sure! I just got back from a trip too and all I wanted was salads, yogurt, and fruit!! Needed to detox 🙂 I can’t believe the year is halfway over already! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of it!
I love what you wrote, but I can’t be in a very good halfway place because the thought that 2012 is half over is absolutely terrifying to me. I feel like I need time to seriously slow down…
I love to re-evaluate my personal goal/health goals at the beginning of the month. Just wondering, do you know any good yoga studios in the Winston-Salem area? I’ve been looking into it a little bit.
i do not but check out a foodie stays fit and bellaspire. those are two WS area bloggers and they might have recommendations for you!
Even though I’m kind of in the middle of a transition myself, I’m in such a good place. This past (academic) year has been a huge blessing, being able to minister at a Children’s hospital with people who really need spiritual support. And I’m looking forward to my next call as well. Running is going great, and looking at the resolutions I made at the new year, I am right on track!
Our year has changed dramatically in one month, and the next 6 months can bring a major move (literally moving) decision. I’m incredibly happy about it, but I’m having a total new outlook on what our future can bring. I’m also getting more serious into my yoga practice since starting to train for my first half-marathon.
The quote at the end of your post was exactly what I needed to read today. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Jen! I just started reading your blog and absolutely love it! Your rooftop yoga session looks absolutely breathtaking. Reading this took me there with you…I actually kinda got lost in it! That last quote is so beautiful and SO true. In the last six months, so much has changed. The biggest milestone, I think, is my graduation from college. I can’t believe it’s over!
Hi Jen! I also have been not teaching as much lately (and subbing classes instead). Six months ago I was teaching 7+ classes a week and managing a studio. At my six-month check-in for the year I am feeling more inspired and on my own path than at the turn of the year (when inspiration for me is usually running high). I’ve set up goals for the next 6 months with an open mind including launching my business (connecting yoga + real food) and starting a nutrition coaching program – thanks for the check-in and I love the idea of starting over at the beginning of each month. … in outdoor yoga news, I also practiced outside this weekend on the beach of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Believe it or not it was over 100 here! Thank goodness for a lakefront breeze… have a great holiday week!
Hi Jen! I am a longtime reader, but I haven’t commented, so I thought I’d share my two bits: I’m happy with my family, my future, my attitude, and all the opportunities I’ve taken up that have come my way. I need to get on my daily yoga and portion control, though! The stress of university finals last month threw me into a funk and it is high time to get myself out of it.
“No matter how far down the wrong path you are, always turn back.”
I’m so glad you enjoyed your yoga practice! It looks so beautiful on the rooftop. I love that quote you added in. I totally agree on everything that quote states. It is so crazy to me that half of the year is already over, I have a lot that I wanted completed by this time, but that just means I need to revaluate, stay positive, and power on. Happy birthday to Sullie:)
Rooftop yoga looks awesome! I used to work at lulu and I love love love that they’ll give the gift of yoga to the community. 🙂
I cannot believe we’re halfway through this year! I think so far 2012 has been turbulent for me — I’ve graduated with my Kinesiology degree, turned down Columbia (my dream school) for Journalism, started a second degree, decided not to finish it, and now am just excited for the next step–working in fitness and starting to grow up (it’s scary)!. I may end up back in school but for the time being, I’ve decided that the second half of this year’s gonna bring BIG changes for me!
I think you hit it bang on — things might seem “out of control” but I’m always in control–thanks for that reminder!
Great reminder to appreciate where we are instead of always looking forward. I need that reminder because I’m so focused on where I want to go, sometimes I forget about where I am right now. Thank you. Poor Sullie – too much doggy fun!
Thanks for posting that quote at the bottom. Exactly what I needed to read today!
wow! That is quite the view Jen!
I had expected to be doing yoga on a regular basis by now but that hasn’t happened. The classes just don’t fit with my work schedule. I’m gonna have to maybe find some videos and start doing it myself from home…
What a great view while working out!!
How do you stay hydrated when working out in the heat? Dehydration headaches are the absolute worst. I’m probably drinking 5-6 liters of water a day, more when I’m working out outdoors! Can’t stand gatorade and to date I haven’t met a coconut water I like lol.
As always, your food looks delicious!
Beautiful pictures! I especially love the one of you doing reverse warrior pose. So pretty. And i like the pink tank 🙂
Rooftop yoga sounds so lovely! I was trying to think back to how I was feeling on New Year’s…I remember thinking that this year is going to be awesome. I was excited about getting married (which I did…and it is just as awesome as I imagined!). And I was also excited about getting a new job. I am not quite where I want to be in that department yet…I am being laid off in August and haven’t been able to find a new job, so it’s a little frustrating. I decided to go back to my blog post from New Year’s and read what I wrote: “I walk boldly into this new year with the assurance that no matter what life has in store for me, that it is all for learning, that it is all for good, and that I will always have more than enough of everything I need.” hmmmm apparently past Ali was trying to tell future Ali something…
The rooftop yoga looks amazing! I am so used to practicing in a confined studio or gym and would love take it outdoors sometimes.