I went to my first Bikram Yoga class in Palma and I loved it! Combine a sauna with yoga and there is nothing wrong with that. It had been a bit of time since I last did yoga and some of the postures were really difficult for me. But I reminded myself that this is my first class and it is okay to be a bit shaky. And I had my brand new bag so things were looking up. It’s so awesome, I bought it from this fun online shop.

The instructor was experienced and super friendly. She would check on me a few times throughout the hour and a half class to make sure I hadn’t passed out yet. The room was also very nice, super spacious with plenty of mirrors.

What is Bikram Yoga you might ask? Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional hatha yoga techniques. All Bikram Yoga classes run for 90 minutes and consist of the same series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%. Or again, 26 yoga postions in a sauna. And for someone who cannot get warm enough it was amazeballs. I sweat my ass off, even my SHINS were sweating! Seriously, get over there.

And like them on Facebook! Bikram Yoga Mallorca They always post inspiring quotes, motivated pics and information about yoga and just keeping healthy. Here is their post from the other day. I ~~can~~ will be able to do that!

Check out the site for more info and pricing. See you there.

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friends · healthy schmealthy · just do it already

Some TLC For Your Breasts

March 3, 2013March 4, 2013 GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

Using hot guys to make us remember to do a breast exam!?

That is totally fine by me.

My friend tagged me in this video (rethink breast cancer your man reminder) – and downloadable APP! And while the video/app is informative, educational and “eye-catching”, it also hopefully serves a purpose – DO A MONTHLY CHECK ON YOUR BREASTS! And if you can’t do that, a yearly mammogram.

My friend who tagged me lost her mother to breast cancer at the tender age of 12 or 13. I can barely remember it. Except for a vivid memory of her mom in her bedroom wanting to see my friend as soon as we had come home from school and she had been waiting to see her children. I remember walking into that dark bedroom with my friend. Her mother gave a smile and held out her hand and asked how school was, I am pretty sure we answered in the usual “fine, boring” way. She was a very sweet woman and I remember she smiled and nodded as we walked out of the room while telling her we were going to go play.

But a few months later she died. And I went to her funeral with my family at the Christian church in our hometown. I must have blocked it out because I don’t really remember it. My mom tells me we went and I was very distraught, but mostly for my friend. I am so happy that this sweet friend of mine now has a beautiful family and is still part of my life after all this time.

My mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice and had a mastectomy of one of her breasts. My father was also diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lump removed. So obviously, I try to check myself as often as possible and get regular checkups.

But I never want to make such a downer on things so I really loved this video my friend tagged me in. Who doesn’t want to be reminded to get their breasts checked by hot guys? Watch the video, download the app, give yourself some TLC and fight breast cancer.

healthy schmealthy

Namaste

April 15, 2011April 15, 2011 GOING NINETY MILESLeave a comment

Oh, my gosh. Ouch.

I was doing okay this morning but by evening my body is starting to revolt. I went to yoga class on Thursday, and I have been to yoga before but NEVER as strenuous as this. But it’s all good, yo! My teacher rocked and she kept us moving continuously throughout the hour and a half class. Maybe it was that extra half hour that kicked my ass?

I am scared to see how I will feel tomorrow. Isn’t the rumor you always feel it more on the second day? Seriously, even the palms of my hands hurt.

But I loved the yoga place! Everyone was over the top friendly, and as a bonus for me, spoke English! The professor (as they call them in class) even came over to me to introduce herself and find out more about me because it was my first time there. I told her it had been a long time since I had been in a yoga class but she welcomed me with open arms. Want to go? The place is Zunray – C/ Can Brondo, 6 07001 Palma de Mallorca +34 971 57 44 55. Check it out duuuuudes.

And just so we can do some yoga together, how to do the downward dog pose. Ready, steady, yoGO. haha. lame? cmon?!

Downward Facing Dog

Why Downward Facing Dog is one of the most frequently used yoga poses -it often links others together in a flow class. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s simple.

Down Dog encompasses a lot of different body parts; it strengthens the arms and helps with shoulder, back, and hamstring flexibility. Done correctly, Down Dog also gives intermediate students the benefit of an inversion (having hips higher than the heart) before moving on to more challenging poses like Headstand, Handstand, or Forearm Balance. And because it’s used so often, it’s extra-important to get it right.

How: Start on all fours with your wrists about 6 to 12 inches in front of your shoulders. Separate your knees hip-width apart and curl your toes under. Pushing evenly into your palms, lift your knees off the floor. Lift your sit bones toward the ceiling and push the top of your thighs back so that your body looks like an inverted letter “V.”

At first keep knees bent and heels lifted off the floor. Slowly start to straighten your knees–but don’t lock them. Gently begin to move your chest back toward your thighs until your ears are even with your upper arms; don’t let your head dangle. Keep your hips lifting and push strongly into your hands. Lengthen your spine, spread your fingers apart, and breathe for 10 deep breaths.

To come out of the yoga pose, lower your knees to the floor, come onto all fours, and then bring your butt to your heels and forehead to the floor. Practice the pose five times, increasing the number of breaths each time.

Do you feel better already? I do. Namaste, y’all.