We were exploring the sixth chakra tonight in power yoga, ajna, the mind's eye. So to give us a push in the right direction Kim, the instructor, told us that tonight's practice is to be performed with our eyes closed. I wasn't scared by any means, as for one I feel very comfortable and safe at the yoga studio and I close my eyes off and on during each practice anyway. The surprise wasn't my ability to keep my eyes closed. Even poses like crow and half moon came rather naturally. Well my first crow I almost fell on my face and was a bit wobbly in tree, but over all I got myself into each asana without much trouble. No, what surprised me was how in tune I was with each pose. With my eyes closed there was nothing to look at, no fellow yogini to compare myself to, no ticking clock, not even a cracked brick wall to examine, no un-pedicured toenails to judge. With my eyes closed balance, posing a new challenge, took most of my attention, so I couldn't plan the pedicure I so desperately need, or even decide which load of laundry I need done most, without risking crashing to the floor, or worse ending up in an unexpected split. So not only was I masterfully focused and present in every asana, the shaky balance forced my core to engage more than ever before. Except for the balancing poses, each felt more stable, more grounded and more comfortable than ever before. I felt like I was gliding through my vinyasa, even lifting from lunge to half moon happened rather gracefully. Since balance was the main focus, I was taking my time, not only to get into a pose but also to settle into it. Without sight I couldn't quite compete with my neighbors, I also couldn't judge the depth of each pose, allowing me to experience the asana individually in addition to the flow from one to the next.
Quite a turnaround from my regular practice, where instead of being in a pose, I was striving to be better in the pose. I have no intention of practicing blind yoga from here on out, but closing my eyes will definitely become more integrated into each practice. I highly recommend it.
Namaste.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Gulasz with wine
Cooking a hearty, meaty meal tonight. This is extremely rare in this household where vegetables, served over vegetables with a side of fresh veggies, so I decided to document it.
Gluasz (goulash) is a polish beef stew, usually served with mashed potatoes or pasta and a pickle.
Ingredients:
Beef (cubed, for stewing)
Flour
Onion
Mushrooms
Carrots
Pepper
Method:
Cube the beef:
Roll beef in flour:
Add wine:
Sear beef on all sides:
While beef is on the pan, chop onion:
Chop mushrooms:
Coarsely chop carrots:
Add wine:
Once beef is seared add to clay pot, regular pot will work, too. Add water for the beef to stew:
Sauté onions, until almost translucent, then add mushrooms and continue to sauté until onions are translucent and mushrooms are limp. Add pepper to taste.
Add wine:
Add onion and mushroom to clay put, and stir:
Add carrot to clay pot, and stir:
Add wine:
Simmer until beef is soft and tender:
Enjoy!! With a glass of wine of course!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Gluasz (goulash) is a polish beef stew, usually served with mashed potatoes or pasta and a pickle.
Ingredients:
Beef (cubed, for stewing)
Flour
Onion
Mushrooms
Carrots
Pepper
Method:
Cube the beef:
Roll beef in flour:
Add wine:
Sear beef on all sides:
While beef is on the pan, chop onion:
Chop mushrooms:
Coarsely chop carrots:
Add wine:
Once beef is seared add to clay pot, regular pot will work, too. Add water for the beef to stew:
Sauté onions, until almost translucent, then add mushrooms and continue to sauté until onions are translucent and mushrooms are limp. Add pepper to taste.
Add wine:
Add onion and mushroom to clay put, and stir:
Add carrot to clay pot, and stir:
Add wine:
Simmer until beef is soft and tender:
Enjoy!! With a glass of wine of course!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Epiphany
Creativity in an altered state.
For many and none reasons I decided to give it a shot.
I sat down at the computer to work on the cover for our bar menu, and was strangely aware of every movement on the computer screen. Every line shift, every opacity change had a purpose and I knew it. I was so absorbed by the work that even the crappy refresh rate of moving zoomed in blurs didn't seem frustrating. I, me, Martyna, patiently waited for the lines to shift, for the color to change. The world outside of me started to melt away. I was in the zone, truly enjoying the process of creating, drawing, vector art.
As I was adjusting the font colors on the subtitle it hit me, I was working extremely slow. Even though I was making progress, really enjoying my work, that clock in my head kept ticking. Tic toc, tic toc. When are you going to get to the next thing? This was taking forever and I'd never get anything else done. Frustration soon tried to follow, because of course I've been taught all my life to work faster, get shit done faster, just so I can move on to the next thing faster, and then the next thing and the next.
And here's my epiphany, and I underline mine, because many have been here before me and this will not blow your mind as it did mine. When you get everything done faster, you'll get to the end faster. At the end you're dead... Getting there faster, with just fractions of memories because you were so focused on the finish line you didn't bother to notice your surroundings, is not really a good thing.
I think that's why long distance running has so much appeal. Sure the first four miles I spend planning the rest of my day, week even, but that's all I have in me because without an iPad making lists and filling up your calendar is not really that fun. So I don't even consider the first four part of the run, it's more like a pre-run cleanse. At around mile five is when the real running begins. I am in only one place at one time, with one foot on the ground feeling every pebble, and my eyes focusing on the ground, directing where my other foot will land. The only thing I search for is the jingle of the dog collars to make sure my buddies are still close.
Realization, however, is only step one. Sure, it might be a big leap to acknowledge that rushing through life only gets you faster to your grave, but it will take a whole different kind of bell to get me to salivate for the now and not in anticipation.
Wish me luck.
For many and none reasons I decided to give it a shot.
I sat down at the computer to work on the cover for our bar menu, and was strangely aware of every movement on the computer screen. Every line shift, every opacity change had a purpose and I knew it. I was so absorbed by the work that even the crappy refresh rate of moving zoomed in blurs didn't seem frustrating. I, me, Martyna, patiently waited for the lines to shift, for the color to change. The world outside of me started to melt away. I was in the zone, truly enjoying the process of creating, drawing, vector art.
As I was adjusting the font colors on the subtitle it hit me, I was working extremely slow. Even though I was making progress, really enjoying my work, that clock in my head kept ticking. Tic toc, tic toc. When are you going to get to the next thing? This was taking forever and I'd never get anything else done. Frustration soon tried to follow, because of course I've been taught all my life to work faster, get shit done faster, just so I can move on to the next thing faster, and then the next thing and the next.
And here's my epiphany, and I underline mine, because many have been here before me and this will not blow your mind as it did mine. When you get everything done faster, you'll get to the end faster. At the end you're dead... Getting there faster, with just fractions of memories because you were so focused on the finish line you didn't bother to notice your surroundings, is not really a good thing.
I think that's why long distance running has so much appeal. Sure the first four miles I spend planning the rest of my day, week even, but that's all I have in me because without an iPad making lists and filling up your calendar is not really that fun. So I don't even consider the first four part of the run, it's more like a pre-run cleanse. At around mile five is when the real running begins. I am in only one place at one time, with one foot on the ground feeling every pebble, and my eyes focusing on the ground, directing where my other foot will land. The only thing I search for is the jingle of the dog collars to make sure my buddies are still close.
Realization, however, is only step one. Sure, it might be a big leap to acknowledge that rushing through life only gets you faster to your grave, but it will take a whole different kind of bell to get me to salivate for the now and not in anticipation.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
That Damn Horse!
Why is it so easy to fall off that stupid horse? Its not like I'm a beginner, just getting started. Yet, a couple of days off, and flying to the ground I go. What the hell?! What the hell do I do. My run on Saturday was wonderful. There were ups, there were downs, I laughed, I cried, and after taking a shower to wash off the stink I actually felt good. Sunday I went to a great power yoga class with Abbey which kicked my ass in a good way. I was on a roll. But then came Monday, stupid Monday. Instead of my scheduled run and yoga I went to sushi with the father in law and husband. Don't get me wrong, I love sushi not to mention my husband and his father, but it seemed to have thrown me into a downward spiral of unmotivation. So this was day two without a run.
Tuesday was a scheduled off day, so of course I capitalized on that, instead of making up for the missed Monday. I made it to the yoga class though not to feel completely useless with an honest intention to go running Wednesday. However, Wednesday came and went, and not only did I not run, I had wine and way to much TV. Yes, it wasn't gorgeous out, rather miserable really but not freezing by any means. Yet, there I was sitting at my kitchen table explaining to my husband that since the heat is out I can't go running. You know, because somehow those two things are related. Yea, I've yet to come up with exactly what running and house heat have to do with each other.
So there I went on slacking, being glued to the iPad, watching crap I should not be watching. Lying on the couch in front of the wood stove instead of running. Watching a movie instead of going to yoga, just so about half way through the movie guilt could engulf me so completely I wanted to get up and go running right then. Even still the couch's gravity told me that 9:30PM is no time to be running. This internal battle of motivation vs. laziness is exhausting. Why can't I just do, instead of overanalyzing why I shouldn't. The minute it is more than 48 hours since my last run all I can do is look for excuses, scanning my body from head to toe just to determine, that no, right now I will not be productive.
Today I will attempt to get back on and ride that sucker. I will ride it right into next week. No more days off until Tuesday, even if that means I run circles in my back yard or worse... go to the gym! Damn you horse! I will conquer you, you gnarly beast, and make you my bitch!
Here's the running plan for today, before I go to Power w.Kim at 6PM.
Tuesday was a scheduled off day, so of course I capitalized on that, instead of making up for the missed Monday. I made it to the yoga class though not to feel completely useless with an honest intention to go running Wednesday. However, Wednesday came and went, and not only did I not run, I had wine and way to much TV. Yes, it wasn't gorgeous out, rather miserable really but not freezing by any means. Yet, there I was sitting at my kitchen table explaining to my husband that since the heat is out I can't go running. You know, because somehow those two things are related. Yea, I've yet to come up with exactly what running and house heat have to do with each other.
So there I went on slacking, being glued to the iPad, watching crap I should not be watching. Lying on the couch in front of the wood stove instead of running. Watching a movie instead of going to yoga, just so about half way through the movie guilt could engulf me so completely I wanted to get up and go running right then. Even still the couch's gravity told me that 9:30PM is no time to be running. This internal battle of motivation vs. laziness is exhausting. Why can't I just do, instead of overanalyzing why I shouldn't. The minute it is more than 48 hours since my last run all I can do is look for excuses, scanning my body from head to toe just to determine, that no, right now I will not be productive.
Today I will attempt to get back on and ride that sucker. I will ride it right into next week. No more days off until Tuesday, even if that means I run circles in my back yard or worse... go to the gym! Damn you horse! I will conquer you, you gnarly beast, and make you my bitch!
Here's the running plan for today, before I go to Power w.Kim at 6PM.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Yoga for Athletes? Hell YES!
My Tuesdays have, until now, been reserved for Kim's Power 1 & 2, however because of some scheduling conflicts I couldn't make it at six. By scheduling conflicts I of course mean, I was late to work and forgot my yoga stuff. Instead I finally grew a pair and decided to go to the Yoga for Athletes class with Abbey at 7:30. One, she subbed for D'ana's Power class on Sunday, and her torturing ways seemed appealing and I also convinced Tanya to come with me, so I couldn't bail.
Her torturing ways in D'ana's power class, apparently were just the tip of the iceberg. The asanas didn't change much in the yoga for athletes class, you just had to hold them longer, and do them more. Abbey, also seems to have a thing for three legged plank. Three legged plank with knee to chest, with knee to one elbow, with knee to other elbow, knee to forehead, back to three legged plank. Three legged plank. Three legged plank. I'd say, my core got a workout. The class isn't yoga hard, at least last night's class wasn't. Its strength hard, core hard, fucking plank hard. I hate plank, and it appears I am going to have to learn to love it. Stupid plank. Plank Plank Plank. I love plank.
I know its only time before teeter-totter will be dominating my yoga life. I can feel it in my bones, as I shudder at the thought of it. I have a feeling I'll learn how to lift into a handstand from crow before I'll like teeter-totter.
I did love the ass kicking I got in Abbey's class, however, and will have to switch one of Kim's classes for the Yoga for Athletes class on Tuesdays. I will stick to Kim's Power class on Thursdays, as that's my running day, and I'm pretty sure I am not ready to do Abbey's kick my ass yoga right after running 8-10 miles... Maybe some day. Probably same day I'll feel comfortable in a bikini... hahahahaha.
Her torturing ways in D'ana's power class, apparently were just the tip of the iceberg. The asanas didn't change much in the yoga for athletes class, you just had to hold them longer, and do them more. Abbey, also seems to have a thing for three legged plank. Three legged plank with knee to chest, with knee to one elbow, with knee to other elbow, knee to forehead, back to three legged plank. Three legged plank. Three legged plank. I'd say, my core got a workout. The class isn't yoga hard, at least last night's class wasn't. Its strength hard, core hard, fucking plank hard. I hate plank, and it appears I am going to have to learn to love it. Stupid plank. Plank Plank Plank. I love plank.
 |
| Three legged plank. |
I know its only time before teeter-totter will be dominating my yoga life. I can feel it in my bones, as I shudder at the thought of it. I have a feeling I'll learn how to lift into a handstand from crow before I'll like teeter-totter.
 |
| Teeter-Totter |
Sunday, January 29, 2012
This one goes to 11
Finally Saturday was a real long distance run. 11 miles is a true long run, or st least the beginnings of one. I started at about 8:20am when the sun was already out but the temperature still hovered at only around 23F. I think I must've been overly tired from not getting home the night before until 2AM, but it didn't feel as cold as it probably should have. The run took me along the Wasatch front, Wasacht Blvd. to Foothill and I ran along Foothill until Sunnyside Ave, 5.5 miles away. I finally got to checkout the footpath between the highway interchanges, but the cool views from it weren't enought to make up for the icy hell the path was covered with. I was running and praying for my ankles. Thankfully the Parleys crossing is short and the sidewalk on Foothill was mostly ice free. The run out was decent but I couldn't keep worrying about the fact that most of it was downhill. Not a big hill, but for the second 5.5 miles to be mostly uphill no matter how slight is still a bit painful. Bringing me to a point of wanting to quit somewhere half way through the return. At points I felt I was running at a snail's pace. Thankfully the cold made walking impossible, and my pride made hiding in a coffee shop unacceptable, so I kept running and enjoying the flats as much as possible. By the time I made it to the top of the last incline before the crossing though my mood towards the run did another 180 and I was loving it, even the fairly steep up to the top of the crossing above the highways. I sucked it up, picked up my pace and was determined to make it home in under two hours.
The iPod indicated that my whole run lasted 1h 58min, but I started it a couple of minutes before I left the house, and there were of course a few street lights I had to wait for so I rounded the time for my 11 miles to 1h 55min, giving my an average pace of approximately 10.5, decent :)
Today was power yoga with Dana, which was subbed by Abby. Abby is a hell of an athlete and wored me of, but I actually got a compliment on my plank on my elbows. Yea.. Damn straight. I rock the plank on the elbows.
Now for Log Haven!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Snow...
...is exciting, but slightly ruined my running plans on Saturday. Saturday morning, it was raining, but the temperatures were fairly warm, and as I said if its warm enough for rain, its warm enough to run. Except for in this case. I got to the trail to discover that its covered with ice, wet ice. The rain washed away what snow was on the trail and turned the remainder into wavy ice. Have you ever tried running on an ice skating rink? or a frozen pond? Well imagine that, now add ice waves to the surface and cover it with water and then try running up hill. Can't do it, can you? Neither could I. My run, which was supposed to be 9-10 miles ended at 0.5, when I got to a the first ice covered incline without a dirt path around it. After going over the pros and cons extensively... pros being me running, cons being me running for the last time before the marathon cause I slipped, fell and broke something, in an unusual turn of events the cons won and I went home without injury :) Conveniently enough Dawn spied my running woes on Facebook and invited me to the gym. So all Saturday was not wasted, and I still got 1.5 hours in of cardio. Other than that, unfortunately my activity level this weekend was low, especially when compared to my crap food intake :(
On the other hand I totally rocked it this past Thursday, running 8 miles right after work in under 75 minutes, which included a poop stop and running about a mile running slower with Dawn, and then Power 1&2 with Kim. I kinda rocked that Thursday!
On the other hand I totally rocked it this past Thursday, running 8 miles right after work in under 75 minutes, which included a poop stop and running about a mile running slower with Dawn, and then Power 1&2 with Kim. I kinda rocked that Thursday!
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