I finished the challenge!

I think I'm quite frankly still in shock that I managed to finish the 40 classes in 40 days yoga challenge at Rama Lotus. For much of the challenge, I was climbing back from behind, having had to miss 4 days in a row due to a cold. But somehow, the stars managed to align and I managed to stay consistent with regular daily plus on many days twice daily classes. I want to thank again those who inspired me and helped me through this practice. In particular, "I", thanks for cheering me on to sign up in the first place. "K" thanks for coming to the most classes with me during the challenge. "DL" thanks for trying yoga for the first time - that was inspirational. "DT" thanks for Ashtanga, and maybe more to come. And, to my hubbie, who despite his incredibly insane schedule came to two classes with me, including waking up early last Saturday to go to "Bikram" yoga in the 40 degree celsius hotroom. Now that's love :)! And, thanks to all those who supported me in spirit through this aptly named challenge.

Winner of the draw has yet to be announced so there's still a chance I may win the 50 class package, fingers crossed.

Survivor continues as awesomely as it has for the past several weeks, and thanks to finishing the challenge one day early, I was for the first time in weeks able to watch the show on tv at regular airing instead of waiting three days for it be on Rogers on Demand.

What else? I now go back to life as it was before the challenge. What changes will that entail? Oh, probably simple things, like keeping the house a little neater, cooking more, and turning my mind to Christmas.

Woo hoo. I finished 30 classes in 30 days!

Unbelievable, I actually made it to 30 classes in 30 days. 10 more to go, breath in, ahhhhhh.

Hopefully, I can make it. Again, great appreciation for all the support from folks.

I think I might have sort of forgot that taking yoga teacher training meant going back to.... school! I have an exam this week, and it sure does feel weird to have to memorize stuff. Like sanskrit - a foreign language. But, it hasn't taken me long to revert back into student mode and procrastinate away instead of studying. I saw one my fellow students in class today studying with cue cards she had created. I don't subscribe to the cue card method myself (mainly because you lose time writing them out), but it made me feel behind .... :(

Taking a trip down memory lane this weekend, I took an excursion to Canadian Tire, which involved walking over the Queensway, to buy Cabbage Patch dolls. For real.

Namaste.

Yet Another Yoga Challenge Update

So, it's Day 25 of the Rama Lotus 40 Day Yoga Challenge, and I have completed 22 classes. Not bad. I have 18 classes to go in 15 days. It's gonna be busy, but it feels doable. I've been kinda plodding through the past three days, because my left shoulder is quite sore from the H1N1 vaccine I received on Monday. Hopefully, the shoulder will kind of fall in line (as it were) sooner than later.

So, Survivor is just awesome, as usual. I started out this season feeling kind of blah, and hating Russell, oh how the underdog spin can change your feelings about a player.

Starting on November 6th we were called upon in class to practice the yoga of ahimsa (a simplification), which translates as 'non-violence' to living things, including yourself. We were tasked with taking on a realistic adventure, so, I chose to create a habit of daily flossing. It's only taken me 31 years to do this regularly, not bad (she says sheepishly). Anyway, I completed the two weeks straight of the flossing, and it's stuck. Success! Living the principle of ahimsa inspired me tremendously during this time period to find other ways to incorporate this in my life.

This next two week period, I'm practising "satya", which means truth. So, I'm now going to be brutally honest all the time. NOOOOO!!!! You still have to be compassionate, to be a good little yogi. :)I've taken on a manageable challenge, and will report back on the results in a later blog.

Thanks "K" for Hatha Beginner on Monday. As always, wanna join me for a yoga class at Rama, let me know, it totally helps the motivation.

Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Update: Back to Work and Yoga Challenge

Back to life, back to re-a-li-ty.... I had a bit of uneasy transition back to work after my glorious holidays, but a week strong this morning, things should be looking up. I am not going to lie, would I rather still be on vacation? Always, but I'm still waiting on that lottery win!

So, I'm still keeping up with my 40 Day Yoga Challenge. Which has been - um, challenging? I started on November 3rd after the return from our trip to Boston, and as of last night have completed 15 classes. So that's 15 classes in 16 days I think. Which is not too bad considering I missed four whole days for a cold. Double yoga days are getting to be a bit grueling, and that on top of Yoga Teacher Training every other weekend.... this weekend being one of them. What did I sign myself up for? Anyway, I'm always looking for volunteers to come to class with me, to keep the motivation strong, so if you're keen, just give me a shout. Thanks "D" for last night's Ashtanga.

So, for all you Survivor fans out there, the last two weeks of the show have been pretty great, right? That Russell: I think I'm going to dub him the energizer bunny. Last week was definitely the highlight of the season, and I wait with guarded anticipation for this evening's show where poor evil Laura freaks on Russell for sending home her friend Kelly instead of making a move that would have sacrificed his game. I don't like Laura very much.

Oh, yeah: I had a great time at the Gala. And, JJ said hi to me and asked me how I was. I am so star stuck :)!

Namaste.

Boston trip photos!

Dunkin Donuts "Double-Double"s: had to try it out and compare. And bonus, we had Patriots (Insurgents) 50th anniversary cups ;).



















Boston Common














Penguins at the Aquarium.


















Seems like I have the cough of doom, again.

A Shout Out for the Crayons & Cravats 12th Annual Gala in Ottawa

My hubbie recently joined the board of directors for the Canadian Institute of Child Health.

This year, the Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH) and the Champions For Children Foundation (CFCF) have combined forces to host the 12th Annual Crayons & Cravats Gala.

It will be held on November 17th, and benefits go to these two charities.

Please visit this website for more details: http://cfcf.akaraisin.com/e/CC09.aspx

Tickets include gourmet meal, entertainment, awards ceremony, and silent auction.

Oh yeah, and if that weren't cool enough, and I mean this in all sincerity, they're honouring JJ Clarke! I love that guy.

Favourite Products: For the bath

Ok, so this post isn't very original, especially following up on the last one, but I have stuff I'm excited about and want to share:

1. Gillette Mach 3 razors: A magazine suggested these were the best, even for women. I concur. Try it!

2. Epsom salts: saved my life in more than one painful moment.

3. Crabtree and Evelyn Botanicals Milk, Soy and Sugar Body Wash: smells so wholesome, and is foamy.

4. Aveda Colour Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner: while it is a splurge, tests have shown it makes your hair colour last longer, thus reducing the frequency of touch ups.

5. Sabon body scrub: The most moisturizing body scrub I've ever encountered. http://sabonnyc.com/

Hope this is helpful.