Dedicate/Day 21. Light.

On the Mat: 20 minutes.

Observations: Light. Finding little pieces of it as I investigate the curves and movement of my body. Doing what feels good always, not forcing the expectation of myself or others.

Insights: Honoring the light that is me. Even if it feels like a tiny little spark right now.

As well as honoring the dark that envelopes me and embracing wholeheartedly this contrast of light/dark dance. It might be painful, but it has so many growth lessons written its journey. A reminder to keep present and remember. Night comes, but the Sun always arrives in the morning. 

But, I’ll Take Today: The uncertainty still sits in my heart, but today’s practice might be the best thing I do for myself today. And that is good. 

Tomorrow: Day 22. Steady.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 20. Lead.

On the Mat: 21 minutes.

Observations: I was more than ready to lead through my pain and grief today. I showed up and it was the best thing I could do after losing someone yesterday that had lead me out of my own past heartbreak to a world of welcoming love and acceptance at one time. I also let my body do the moves without my mind getting in the way. Overall it was a warm embrace on the mat that I needed more than anything in this world right now. 

Insights: Today Lead spoke to me. After this week of praying unceasingly and never giving up until I had to after his passing from this life yesterday. I was reminded of how in this life we are all called to lead each other in ways we often don’t physically experience at times. 

But, through our souls with a whisper of I love you instead when distance is between us. Or lead with our hearts instead by listening to the call to surpass our limitations. Realizing sometimes our limitations can be are strongest allies in finding a different path to serve others.

But, I’ll Take Today: Where Nameste took on a whole deeper meaning-Honoring the ones we love that our knowlonger with us. And it is Okay to cry while doing yoga.

I cannot begin to say how much this home practice has meant to me and Adriene’s tender spirit to serve all of us by sharing her wisdom and love of Yoga. What a gift. 

Tomorrow: Day 21. Light.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 19. Listen.

On the Mat: 21 minutes.

Observations: This practice surprised me. Just what I needed. Still modifying to Find What Feels Good and love the gentle prompts by Adriene. 

Insights: Resting Easy in this practice of Breath and allowing my heart to lead not my head all the time:) This practice I will definitely revisit♥️. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Slowing down Listening to my Breath not the endless Chatter of my Brain.

And some Downward-Facing Dog: This pose has been one of my biggest challenges while beginning my at-home yoga practice with Adriene and getting to know all the other poses more intimately.

But, Downward-Facing Dog has and still is my Numero Uno on challenge list and it’s often where the practice begins! So, it definitely sets me up for the ‘do I really wanna keep doing this?’ Mindset while also seeing Adriene do this pose with such ease and grace.  it’s inspired me to dig a little deeper into the Pose to discover my own version FWFG (Find What Feels Good).

Currently,  I’m a Beginners-awkward and uncomfortable, but I do cut myself some slack:) But, now 19 days into Dedicate I’ve decided I really need to make this popular pose a friend instead of a foe. Especially if I’m want to keep practicing Yoga. 

And Adriene came through HERE. Breaking it down in a Downward-Facing Blog Post:) while sharing her own similar beginning challenges. Yes, of course there is a video. Totally awesome.

She also shared this equally awesome article from The HuffPost, The Real Reason Downward-Facing Dog Is So Good for You.  Worth a check out as well. 

Maybe this will help you too and Now going forward for the last leg of My Dedicate Journey, I want to continue to go more deep into all the  foundation poses. I of course will post it here for you as well. 

Tomorrow: Day 20. Lead.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 18. Love.

On the Mat: 23 minutes.

Observations: I showed up. Modified after being away from my at home yoga practice since Feb. 9th. Definitely finding what Feels Good again. Yes, I lost a lot of what I had gained in strength, but again I showed up. And that’s what really matters today. Done is fun. 

Insights: Love. How awkward it is to say that to myself. But, I’m gonna show up more too with those three little words. I need to and the reminder that yoga helps me with that. 

But, I’ll Take Today:  The showing up far from perfect and whispering I love you a bit more. 

via Nayyirah Waheed

Tomorrow: Day 19. Listen.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 17. Learn.

On the Mat: 26 minutes.

Observations: I’m back to Dedicate. Today’s practice was perfect to re-enter. My Strength was still there as well as my heart. 

Insights: When Learning something new in your life, their will be hiccups. I’m a creature of habit and recently I have had some awesome change come my way that have also made it feel like I was put off my usual course:) Expanding me in a way that I had to take a breather and readjust. Make room again for the New, Old and Let Go of the what isn’t a part of my story now. Today’s practice was a big embrace of that. Yoga is far more than Physical movements:) What amazing blessing it is and glad to be back on the Mat this Morning. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Reminder to leave our worry in the future and stay present. 

Tomorrow: Day 18. Love.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 16. Dulce.

01/21/2019 Evening

On the Mat: 23 minutes.

Observations: Breathing Deep. Remembering that we can take care of ourselves. And there is sweet power in that. This practice today was quiet movements and part massage. It helped me to quiet the storm in my head. 

Insights: When we are sweet to ourselves, we can be sweet to others. 

This practice touched me very deeply reminding me of my Mother. She always called me her sweet girl. Now that she is gone I forget those sweet parts of myself that her love brought out in me. Actually over the weekend as I was having a hard time. I had a dream about her. In the dream we talked as if she was still here. It was so real, I woke up crying because I realized she wasn't here in my waking life. But, doing this practice tonight made me realize that she is somehow through me as I am Her sweet little legacy that she invested so much love in:)  

But, I’ll Take Today: Any Sweetness I can find:) 

Tomorrow:  Day 17 Learn. 

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 15. Reveal.

01/21/2019 Midday

On the Mat: 17 minutes.

Observations: I missed another day. Life has showed up with challenges I knew would come back. But, I also came back to Dedicate today to somehow to make sense of it all. My Body was rested. I went through the movements revealing my own method. Realizing that a home practice of yoga truly gives you permission to truly Find what Feels Good on the Mat. 

Insights: I’m half-way through this journey. Yes, the days have gotten jumbled or I’ve done catch up. But, a reminder it’s my Journey and I’ve showed up to the Mat 15 times. Woo-Hoo. I’ve experienced so much and learning to go beyond expectations. Love, lean in and Let Go. Let my heart be the compass not how my jeans fit. That’s hard, but I’m glad that lesson is being revealed to me. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Sweet Double Feature Tonight-Dulce. 

Tonight: Day 16. Dulce.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 14. Grace.

01/19/2019 Saturday

On the Mat: 20 minutes.

Observations: My feet ached. My underwear is uncomfortable and my overall mood let’s just say isn’t ideal. It’s been cold up in these parts and after two days of not showing up on the Mat due to my schedule and life shit. I did. I needed it. Man ,I need this practice. My body needs it and God knows my mind does even more. it truly has made such a difference in such a short time. 

Insights: This practice is definitely helping me navigate more Gracefully through the inner reactive roar of negative self-talk that often shows up in my head . 

But, I’ll Take Today: the Grace that came to the Mat. A mess, relunctant and even a little irritated. But, I came. 

Tomorrow: Day 15. Reveal.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 13. Space.

On the Mat: 21 minutes.

Observations: This was my favorite thus far! I rocked it. I did awesome and Whoa I have amazing leg strength. No qualms saying it👍. Was it a challenge? Yes. But, I awesomely did it! ⭐️ Gold Star to me. 

Insights: Space. Adriene was gracious with the insight. We must create space for new possibilities and this practice is expanding me to do just that. I honestly am shocked I’ve made this far. But, I’m here in this SPACE of discovery and new possibility. I’m open to the SPACE it is creating by doing and where it leads me. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Prep and Making SPACE for the next two days of challenges. Focusing not on my current limitations, but how I’m investing in this journey. See you tomorrow. 

Tomorrow: Day 14. Grace.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 12. Curate.

On the Mat: 20 minutes.

Observations: Yesterday I was exhausted and with my work schedule I didn’t show up, but today I did. The flexiablity did also, I could actually touch the ground. Yes, the end move was awkward and my body wasn’t ready. Maybe someday, in the meantime it’s I did what felt good:) 

Insights: Big One! We are the curators of our own lives. It’s our deal and knowone else’s:)

And our Mind sometimes want to quit before our bodies do. Good Good Stuff. Completely Aligning with another project I’m doing right now which I will eventually share with you guys:) 

But, I’ll Take Today: I reenergized and ready to work on space tonight after a Topo Chico:)   

Tonight: Day 13. Space.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 11. Courage.

On the Mat: 23 minutes and Yoga for Beginners (YWA) 41 minutes. 

Observations: Balance came and went😂. It’s interesting how one side of the body can be more flexible than the other. Yeah, today their was a posture I didn’t even attempt😜 and totally cool with that. 

Insights: Courage to show up when all over IG I saw this crazy posture everyone was doing and it was way intimidating and I was thinking what the hell did I get myself into🤪 But, this is a big reminder this is my story and I’m not here to show off, but show up. And I love how Adriene encourages that humble heart too. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Another add-on Beginners Practice with Adriene  HERE. Will be doing this another time this week for sure. Now off to work.

Tomorrow: Day 12. Curate.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 10. Expand.

On the Mat: 25 minutes. + yoga for complete Beginners by Adriene 20 Minutes. 

Observations:  Yea! 10 days on the Mat. I wish I could say something profound happened. Heck that’s what’s profound😜 10 days in the book. Yes, I’m still learning. Yes, I’m still awkward, but also I have moments of grace. I’m loving the calm that’s inhabiting my body and spilling out unto my everyday as well. Today’s practice was all about expanding. I pushed my breath in and out. It felt so lovely. And I found my balance expanding again as with my flexibility. 

Insights: Expand and Oooh Its my One Little Word for the Year too and I was waiting for that word to find me this year and while I was meditating before beginning today’s practice. I thought of how I can expand in my life. Expand beyond old beliefs. Expand beyond expectations and even possibilities. Definitely a word I can grow with in 2019:) and I’m sure this yoga journey can help with that. 

But, I’ll Take Today: I also decided to dig a little deeper into the basics of yoga and added this 20 minute Yoga for Complete Beginners from Adriene today and plan this week doing few other Beginner Foundation ones this week with the 30 Day Journey. I will post them here as well. It really helped to fine tune my postures and understand deeper the poses. 

Tomorrow: Day 11. Courage.

Ten Day Reflect:  When I started this yoga journey I had no expectations and still actually don’t. I began with a might as well and I’m gonna continue with it:) It’s working thus far more than I ever imagined.  Other Side Effects: Better Sleep. Improved mood and patience with myself and others. More Energy and I glide like a gazelle😜 

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 9. Divine.

On the Mat: 25 minutes.

Observations: Downward Dog is in the books now. No Modification necessary any longer. Woo hoo. Still awkward in between poses, the flow is coming easier and I’m finding my length returning. Now for balance😜. But, I’ll Take the progress today😊. 

Insights: Breathing in the beauty of  soulful center and the yesterday recurring theme showing up today of honesty. Honesty of learning something new and being open to how awesome it is! Can’t wait to share tomorrow what this journey has meant thus far. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Work and happiness in 9 days on the Mat! 

Tomorrow: Day 10. Expand.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 8. Meditate.

On the Mat: 28 minutes.

Observations: Day 8 was indeed cozy. Perfect quiet movements in between the fire of the last days. A reminder to be in each day and honest. Honest that I am not as Flexiable nor as graceful as Adriene. Maybe it will come or maybe it never will, but I won’t abandon the try. 

Insights: Slow the eff down. These last 11 days of the new year have actually been amazingly productive and also insightful. But, sometimes when things are going this great. I get greedy with momentum and push for more. Today in this Meditation practice I caught myself to Slow Down again and remember I decided to Rest Easy in making Good:) Do the little things that amount to big stuff in the long run and be present in the in-between like today’s Cozy:) Tomorrow will show up quick enough. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Laundry again:) and Taco’s🌮 tonight. Loving these three days off a week! 

Tomorrow: Day 9. Divine.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 7 Surya.

On the Mat: 17 minutes.

Observations: After Yesterday’s Core this was a breeze:) ok not completely easy. Still modifying on many parts, but showing up for many of the poses in full. All good:) And I think I might need some yoga pants😜

Insights: my intention today finding my strength in the moment and celebrating it whatever level it is:) Needing this practice right now like the Sunshine outside today. And writing about this morning and then showing up to the Mat to realize Surya means Sun. Love those soulful nudges:) 

But, I’ll Take Today: Showing up and enjoying the the love of self-care. 

Tomorrow: Day 8. Meditate.

Love, C.

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 6. Core.

On the Mat: 29 minutes.

Observations: Let me be Honest. I’m trying to find what Feels Good and yesterday after choosing a dear friends call over my morning practice and then planning on coming home at 9pm to do Candle Lit Core:) The reality became... I was tired and just wanted a glass of wine with some little evening Hulu. But, Core happened this morning and that’s ok. This Journey is My Journey and I’m calling the shots:) And I showed up rested and ready. 

So, glad I did! Holy Buckets! That was Throw up working the core city and I’m not kidding. 

Insights: My core is important and I need to do actually do a daily practice of it. Maybe begin with five minutes a day. It does serve me so well and it also is where I carry a lot of my physical baggage (weight). I need to make friends with it and not hold so much shame and insecurity there. Love it and Let it go:) 

But, I’ll Take Today: Catching up with Friends, Laundry and finding Joy hibernating in the warmth of my little studio. 

Tonight: Day 7. Surya.

Love, C. 

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 5. Flow.

On the Mat: 29 minutes.

Observations: Tonight was hard. The hardest yet and I have a feeling it ain’t gonna get easier. But, I’m still gonna show up. The flow and movements are becoming familiar which feels good. Yes, I was tired tonight and prefer on a work day doing this practice in the morning instead. I did do a downward dog fully tonight without modification:) that alone was worth it.  

Insights: I’m where I need to be right now and yoga is definitely a gift with bringing daily calm and chill which I experienced today with in a difficult interaction. 👍

But, I’ll Take Today: Good sleep tonight. 

Tomorrow: Day 6. Core.

Love, C. 

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 4. Feel.

On the Mat: 22 minutes.

Observations: OK I did Feel tonight (which will be last night when you read this). My muscles shaked and shaked. But, it was worth it. I felt like I wanted to see what a evening yoga would feel like and it was awesome. My strength is there and it feels so natural. I’m kind falling in love with this 30 day or 29😜 Journey. 

Insights: I loved how Adriene explained how this practice at home has so many fruits and permissions to just be with ourselves on this journey. And my heart also has a special connection to her practice more so when she mentioned imagining being on the Hill at Barton Springs in her town of Austin, TX. Which holds 2 years of my own life and still so much of my own heart in the people, places and things still there. So, tonight in honor of showing up to the Mat again. A Topo Chico with a Twist of Lime is in order with a big gulp of gratitude:) 

But, I’ll Take Today: slowing down. Being present in my daily routine of work and doing my yoga practice tonight. 

Tomorrow: Day 5. Flow. 

Love, C. 

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 3. Observe.

On the Mat: 35 minutes. 

Observations: Yesterday, Muscles I had forgotten had a good ache and I stood a little straighter too again. I slept like a baby last night as well:)  Today was finding my strength coming back and even a little grace in the movements Truly also getting to observe myself in every little action. Still modifying movements, but allowing myself to think about the possibility of trying tomorrow one full position. Pretty cool:) 

Insights: Magic happens in the In-Between. Love being reminded of that today and that Laughter is lovely. Adriene has such charming soul. 

But, I’ll Take Today: Day off. Had big plans to do do do. But, I think I’m just gonna Rest Easy with a new book and watch the new Tidying Up series with Marie Kondo on NetFlix😊 

Tomorrow: Day 4. Feel.

Love, C. 

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)

Dedicate/Day 1. Discern.

On the Mat: 50 minutes.  

Observations: I showed up. My back ached, but I still felt strong. Yes, I will find my groove. Adriene is funny, kind and perfectly quirky. I planked and my arms shaked. I really need to sweep my floor and do a little pedicure if I’m gonna be on the mat more. I breathed deep and it reminded me of how far I have come. Self-care is important. I didn’t have to use my pink pillow. 

Insights: Strength over time. Discerning my why’s. And that I really am doing this to Rest Easy and Sink deeper into who I am and Not fight to be something other then Cindy Today. Imperfect, but showing kindness to myself by showing up. 

But, I’ll Take Today: A Pedicure. A Clean floor and finding out what Namaste means:) 

Tomorrow: Day 2. Foundation.  

Love, C.  

PS It’s not too late for you to Join myself and many others on Dedicate-A 30 Day Yoga Journey. HERE  It least check it out:)