The Importance of Being Still

This past weekend I took a step out of my comfort zone. I never have been an outdoorsy person that would crave walking around with the trees, bugs, and mud. I wouldn’t even know where to start when it comes to gathering the right equipment and gear that would be necessary for a camping trip or even just staying up in a cabin.

This weekend was a bit different though. I consciously made the decision that I would spend a weekend up North with six other people.

I wasn’t quite sure what I would be getting myself into, considering I knew it was going to be cold and it seemed as though most of our time would be spent in the toasty cabin.

I couldn’t be more wrong.

It was about a five hour drive from Minneapolis to get to Bear Head State Park. It was the perfect time to finish any projects and watch the service on my phone dwindle.

It’s always hard to think about unplugging when you feel that staying connected and current is the only way to go. Feeling like you’re forced to disconnect can be terrifying.

I know all my thoughts kept rushing back to, “what if someone at work needs something from me?” or the classic, “what happens if someone gets hurt and I can’t be there?” It’s really difficult for these ideas to escape my head.

I’m a major culprit when it comes to bringing work home with me and all these scary excuses for me not to disappear for a weekend kept running into my head. It wasn’t until we the day we went on a hike in the state park when I started to realize the importance of being still.

Lately media and fake news are thrown in our faces. It becomes difficult to even realize what’s real and what’s not. Who can we believe anymore if our own opinions seem to not matter anymore?

Being still gives an opportunity to redirect your own truth and reflect on your own thoughts.

Being in this environment was a new experience. I have never strapped on snowshoes before and I have never spent time on a four hour hike. I found myself getting frustrated about the amount I was falling over. I wasn’t sure if it was my coordination or possibly the hangover that was setting in throughout the afternoon. Luckily there was always someone there to help me back up and ensure that I wasn’t going to die.

So next time you get the chance, be still.

Get outside and listen.

I promise you, you’re not going to die and I hope you have someone that will be able to help you back up.

xx- Sarah

Week Two // WeRow

It’s week two of my adventure of not paying for a gym membership. I’m already feeling revitalized from a week of hot yoga and was ready to purchase a membership to Core Power Yoga, but this isn’t what this challenge is about.

This week I spotted a little place called WeRow that is place that only conducts high intensity row machine classes.

The row machine is probably one of the most underrated machines at your gym. It’s easy on the knees, builds strong arms, and great cardio. One of the main misconceptions about the rowing machine is that it isn’t a total body workout, but oh trust me, I was hurting. It’s strength and cardio all rolled into one. It’s one of those few workouts that will incorporate every muscle in your body and it’s a hell of a lot more exciting that a treadmill. It’s also been said that indoor rowing can replace  “spin” class.

When I first walked into WeRow I was greeted by a singular person excited to teach me the wonders of rowing. I was the first one in and didn’t know what to expect. She sat me down on a rower and taught me the proper form of rowing before class even began. It took a minute to get all the steps down correctly, but it felt empowering that I was able to keep up during my little crash course on form.

As I was chatting with the instructor, she mentioned that she started using the row machine when she injured herself running and hasn’t switched back to using a treadmill.

Others began to show up to the class. There was a range of ages from mid twenties to late forties. I noticed that everyone was wearing gloves and was a bit confused about it, but after my second class, it was clear that I should have hopped on the glove wagon.

I had massive calluses form within two classes and it was almost too painful to go anymore, but I taped up my hands and sucked it up.

Overall the class was intense and worth it and probably worth the membership if you actually put the time in it. If you’re self motivated add the rowing machine at your local gym to your routine. Worried about form? Check out this link here.

If you’re looking to get advice from an expert, try checking out a rowing class. Check out the studio I went to here.

Fight through the calluses. They’ll only build character.

xx- Sarah

How to do a Sun Salutation

A Sun Salutation, also known as Surya Namaskar, is vital to a yogi’s practice. Essentially it is the cardio of yoga.

Breathing and moving between poses-

Vinyasa.

Sun Salutations is a great way to warm up in the morning and deepen your practice as you flow through the basic stretches. The sequence also provides meditation through movement.

What I love most about Sun Salutations is it allows me to take the flow as slow or quick as I would like. Oh, and it feels so good after laying around all night.

Nothing ever needs to be a race in your own practice.

This is how you do a basic Sun Salutation:

1. Inhale as you raise your hands above your head, pressing your palms together and allowing your back to arch slightly.
2. Exhale as you allow your hands to drop to the ground to a forward fold.
3. Inhale, reach your chest forward and come to a flat back. Maybe your hands slide up your shins if that’s what feels right to you at that moment.
4. Exhale as you drop back down to forward fold and plant your hands to the ground. In a fluid motion, inhale and step back into a plank position.
5. Exhale as you squeeze your elbows into your sides and lower yourself to the ground. This is referred to as chaturanga.
6. Inhale, scoop your chest up to the sky and open the front of your throat ahead of you. If you feel comfortable you can lift your hips to come to an upward dog, or leave your hips resting on the ground for Cobra pose.
7. Exhale and drive your tailbone to the ceiling, equally distributing your weight between your hands and feet for Downward Dog. .
8. Inhale, bring your gaze forward, step your feet to your hands, and reach your chest forward to come to a flat back.
9. Exhale and allow your chest to drop down to forward fold.
10. Inhale, put a slight bend in your knees, and begin to raise your arms above your head to press your palms together.
11. Repeat.

I promise, adding a couple to your morning routine will improve your circulation and your personal sanity.

Keep the flow going

-Sarah