Hello fellow people of the Internet! Welcome to my blog about anything having to do with yoga and NYC. I know, random, so let me explain. I decided to create this blog for a few reasons. I'll start with the most recent reason, which is my new interest in yoga. I started practicing yoga about 6 months ago and I quickly began practicing regularly. I originally decided to try yoga because I was finding that other work-outs (lifting weights, running) were rough on my joints and causing me frequent pain due to previous injuries, as well as the fact that I was just looking to switch-up my work-out.
Honestly, I really didn't expect my foray into the yoga world to last this long. I'm incredibly clumsy and I don't really buy-in to the whole spiritual aspect of the practice, so I expected this to be some new, fun thing to check off the list and say that I tried. But, alas, here I am, still a dedicated yogi. And here's why: I never dread my work-out any more. For example, I like to run, but I don't always look forward to hitting the pavement when it's crazy hot and humid, or it's bitter cold and windy, or maybe it's that one dreaded hill in my neighborhood that I'm don't feel like facing. Don't get me wrong, I still run regularly and enjoy it. But not like I enjoy yoga. It's a great toning and cardio work out, plus all the other benefits like the length and leaness you aquire, improved posture and balance (which god knows I need) and the overall de-stressing that comes with the practice. And lastly, the one benefit I've aquired that I truly appreciate more than anything, is the ability to find peace and clam no matter what situation I find myself in. (CORNY, I know...but hear me out...) Like I said, I don't necessarily find yoga to be this big spiritual adventure, but I appreciate one of the mental aspects of the practice and that's learning the ability to calm youself down through the breath and not allowing the challenges you face in everyday life to overcome you and turn you in to a raving lunatic. Working in NYC and being a bit of a loose cannon as it is, I have a tendency to get angry or worked-up very easily. Through yoga I've learned how to calm myself down by breathing and realizing that any obstacles that pop-up in my day aren't the end of the world. You don't necessarily need yoga to teach yourself this, but when you regularly practice breathing and finding that clam in the studio it's amazing how less overwhelmed you become each day, and when you do, how quickly you can brush it off.
Despite my budding confidence in my practice, I am still very much a beginner yogi. I'm reminded of this every time I try to do Crow pose and fall on my forehead while the cute yogi next to me, in her $78 Lululemon short-shorts and tight work-out top shifts and balances her entire body weight perfectly on her lean upper-arms. She smiles and whispers "Don't worry, next class you'll get it!" Well, I still haven't gotten it, but I'm getting there! I at least fall a little more gracefully now so everyone in the class doesn't turn to look at me.
Anyway, I find that with each class I am able to push myself farther and farther and want to share my successes (and many struggles), as well as what I learn with other yogis. I also want to hear from others (especially beginners!) about their experiences with yoga. I am always trying out new yoga gear or taking a free class at a new studio, and let's be honest, anything yoga is not cheap. That being said, I will post when I come across something worth paying for, as well as those things NOT worth paying for in the yoga world.
The second reason I wanted to start this blog was to share all the amazing things I come across in New York City. I spend 5-6 days/week in the city and almost every day I come across something that I think is awesome. Maybe it's a great happy hour special, a cool street event, or a video of a crazy homeless person licking the bottom of his shoes on the subway. I'm not making that last one up. I just know that I have a way of finding the most random things that make me think "Other people must know about this." I will say now that it's usally food/booze related things that I find, because despite my dedicate yoga practice, I'm a total foodie and the one thing I love more than yoga is a good meal and a martini.
So, that's it. I hope that some of you will find this blog to be helpful, interesting and maybe even inspiring! Please post your comments and suggestions. I look forward to sharing my journey with you all!
Namaste!
Liz
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