Set an Intention

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If you're ever taken a yoga class, you've probably heard the instructor tell you to "set an intention". I remember the first time I heard this, wondering exactly what that meant, attempting to make an educated guess and set my intention to "be stronger" (I mean this is a workout, right?). Over time, the setting of intentions has evolved into something I do on a daily basis, first thing in the morning, in order to bring meaning or focus to my day. Sometimes we get so busy with our daily routines and stressful situations, we forget about what's really important. Setting an intention of clarity, compassion, gratitude, love, energy, motivation, or courage helps me to focus on the bigger picture as well as improving my yoga practice (as seen here). Do you ever sets intentions for your day?

Yoga Guest Post at Lemons and Laundry

Today I'm doing a special guest post at Lemons and Laundry. Marcie's blog is definitely a favorite of mine due to her creativity, style, and talented photography skills. Here's a copy of the post.

lululemon wunder under crop and scoop neck tank

For the past 8 years, yoga has been one of my favorite workouts and has increasingly become a prominent part of my life. I enjoy so many aspects of it, including the stress relief, strength training, intensity, and playfulness. Practicing inversions such as handstands, forearm balances, and other arm balances have become one of my favorite pass times. I love the challenge a new pose presents and the triumphant feeling when I can put my body into a pose I never thought possible. Two things that I ALWAYS use while practicing yoga are lululemon attire and my Jade yoga mat. During my yoga sessions I live in the Wunder Under Crop and either the Scoop Neck Tank or the Power Y Tank. While lululemon is a bit of a splurge, their moisture wicking luon fabric stretches with your body, is pre-shrunk, and lasts forever. It also feels less like "gym clothes" and transitions well into a day of running errands or grabbing lunch with a girl friend after yoga class!

Packing my Bags

Valerie, 5:00am

Sherpa

I'd definitely consider myself a morning person and three days a week I get up at 4:30am to make it to the gym before work. After my yoga class, I shower and get ready at the gym so I pack a bag with my work clothes. If I have plans after work, I pack a separate bag for that. I carry my yoga mat and my enormous handbag as well. On this particular morning last week, my bags got a bit out of hand and Gabe said I looked like a Sherpa and had to take a picture. Once he told me what a Sherpa is, I could not stop laughing. I've attached a few pictures to compare.

The Sherpa are an ethnic group from the most mountainous region of Nepal, high in the Himalayas. Sherpas migrated from eastern Tibet to Nepal within the last 300–400 years. They are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local terrain.

Couples Yoga

Gabe and I try to do yoga together whenever he has a weekend off work and as today is Valentine's Day, it seemed a great way to start our morning. I've always wanted to take a couples yoga class and although we've never made it to one, it's fun to at least practice together at home on our own. Maybe one day I'll be able to convince Gabe to come with me to an actual class. In the meantime, our tiny living room will have to work. Happy Valentine's Day!