all you have to do in this pose is nothing.

Happy on-the-other-side of Monday, everyone! Things are looking up, up, up over here.

After a weekend that has sobering news from several fronts in the world, it is humbling to rediscover things to keep us grounded. Here, we’re having a wonderful day because there are new albums out, new websites and yoga routines to explore, and a new wilderness to explore on the other side of this work day.

I have checked out two new yoga routines this past week, and I am happy to report they’re opening me up and keeping me active (and present!) on the mat, which is welcome after a lull of love for yoga (gasp!) I discovered it was a combination of boredom (after all, I only have three DVD routines I’ve been cycling through) and the heat, so I have been heading to the studio once a week, finishing off a Groupon and making it last over the weeks by reinvigorating my practice once a week in-studio and the rest of the time committing to “hot” yoga in my non-air conditioned house!

Meanwhile, on the music front, you guys, Matt Nathanson’s new album! Every single one of his albums make me SO smiley, all for different reasons. I was in a music rut again, and I am happy that there are two new albums out to add to my “new” music, along with Hanson’s “Anthem.” Sara Bareilles knows how to speak to the heart, and for her and her talent, I am so grateful. Also up is a new single from Brett Dennen, with an album release in October. Rejoice!

I hope you’ll check out the new albums (below) and the yoga site to revisit the mat in a new way, yourselves!

78279-2_MattNathanson.LOTGP_ sara

i have never said, “that yoga was really a bad idea.”

Hey y’all. I’ve been in a yoga rut, lately. I have been trying to refocus my diet on whole(r) foods, trying to exercise everyday, and trying to get fit, not only for the wedding, but also for life (although I’d be lying if I said the wedding didn’t have anything to do with it.) Normally, I try to run, but you guys: I kind of hate running. I think it’s because I am not good at running, and doing yoga to keep myself fit, and I just get sick of my circuit.

What makes matters challenging is that I have started working 7:30 to 4:15, and as someone who prefers to workout in the morning…well you can see the challenge. There is literally no yoga class early enough that I can find (they all start at 6) so I am left with afternoon practices.

I got an email recently from one of the yoga studios I frequent telling me I earned a free class, just for being born! I could use it any time in the month. So today, I went as a present to myself for a 4:30 class. And I remembered exactly why I love yoga. And, because it is towards the end of the month, the class was a restorative class, which you may or may not know is one of my favorite types of yoga. I spent an hour and twenty five minutes smiling, laughing at myself, and remembering how wonderful it feels to stretch and to be happy.

Here’s a fact: I’ve never gone to yoga, finished class, and said, “Well that was a bad idea.” So, then, why does it take me so long to get into the studio between classes? Certainly cost, among other things. But because I had a Groupon that had expired, I got a deal on a package, and I got to add my unused Groupon classes to that package, which means I have 16 shiny and new classes at my fingertips, waiting for me to laugh right through.

I am happy. Namaste.