For Sara (no H)

My journey into Ashtanga Yoga

I started an Ashtanga Yoga series this week at Sahmadhi Yoga in CT and now I'm already getting obsessed with this practice. First of all the class is at 6AM, which has been a challenge in itself, it would be so much easier to pull those covers over my head and go back into dreamland. My other challenge is the body, which after having not done much yoga this summer and a hip injury, seems to be resisting the flexibility needed to move into many of the Ashtanga poses. I have always been strong and flexible, but this year has brought many struggles, both physical and mental, so my normal jumping in with both feet, so to speak, is not available, my only choice is to begin this practice from a place of humbleness and acceptance. A dilemma in itself.

My goal is to be able to do the jump back below - the arm strength that this takes is completely beyond me. But, I will keep plugging away. I'll let you know how it goes, wish me luck!

Have the time of your life...

Who didn't have a major crush on Patrick Swayze. What a fantasy to dance with him or have his romantic ghost hanging around. Farewell...

the girl effect

Take a look at The Girl Effect at http://www.thegirleffect.org. It is a foundation sponsored by the Nike Foundation that is striving to change the lives of young women beginning at age 12, all over the world.

In Nike's own words:

Why girls
Improve a girl’s life and many more lives benefit: her brothers, sisters, parents and beyond. As an
educated mother, an active citizen and an ambitious entrepreneur, or prepared employee, she can break the cycle of poverty.

Yet, despite her proven potential, in today’s developing countries she is more likely to be uneducated, a child bride, exposed to HIV/AIDS. And about half a cent of every international development dollar is directed to her; 99.4 percent of funding goes elsewhere. The world is missing out on a tremendous opportunity for change.

AllGirlFitness is working on partnering with The Girl Effect to support the efforts of the Nike Foundation. Stay tuned for more info.

Yoga Teacher Training

Hi everyone, it has been forever! My good friend Paula and I have decided to take the plunge and become certified to teach yoga. We both have taken different approaches to Yoga so far, and probably will continue to do so in the future. One thing though, is that we both love what Yoga brings to our life and feel that we will practice forever.

So, if you are feeling the same and want to join us on our journey, we welcome you! Follow this link to get started, Yoga teacher training online course.

We are getting started soon, let's encourage each other!

Namaste

We're back!

Well, it has been a long haul and I aplogize for being MIA for the last month or so - but great news - Teddy is doing wonderful. After a long recovery period that took a ton of dedication from my family, friends and of course Tolland Veterinary Hospital - Teddy is going to be fine with a full working leg so he can go on his trail runs every day and chase the cat to his heart's content.

I want to thank you all for your donations and well wishes - this was a very time consuming and expensive effort, but the bulk of it being behind us now - we made the right decisions along the way, learned a lot and made some great new friends.

Teddy's doctors went to school at Ohio State - Throughout Teddy's recovery they sent pictures to their Professors for treatment suggestions and also to track, so Teddy has been part of the teachings for surgical students. I will put the pictures online soon, and, if your stomach is up to the early shots you should take a look it has truly been a miracle.

Again, I thank you all for your support and encouragement - but now we need to get back in shape!

Help Save Teddy!

As many of you know my running partner and best friend, Teddy, was hit by a mail truck and severely injured almost three weeks ago. He went immediately to Tolland Veterinary Hospital where he underwent over 5 hours of surgery to piece together his back left leg. Since he was dragged by the mail truck, everything on his back leg was worn down - skin, muscles, bone... Miraculously, nothing was broken and he had no internal organ damage.

Teddy is healing quite well except for his back leg, where part of the skin eventually fell off due to the damage endured during the accident. At present there is a huge gaping hole with the bone exposed which is a perfect venue for infection, so far we are very lucky and there is no visible infection. Our home has turned into a pseudo clinic where we are attempting to build new skin by 'sugar wrapping' his leg twice a day. There has been tremendous improvement on one side of his leg, however, the other side still will not adhere which leaves his leg open and exposed.

Our dilemma at this point seems to be completely monetary - Teddy needs additional surgery to save his back leg and we are at the end of our financial ropes. Today I was put in touch with an incredible organization - Out to Pasture - outtopasture.org. I emailed Carrie on a holiday weekend and she responded within an hour! Her comments to me were, if money is your issue at this point, Out to Pasture works with many foundations and individuals that sponsor pets that are either suffering of a terminal illness, abuse or injury and is 'putting the word out' about Teddy.

Thank you for visiting, please keep Teddy in your thoughts and I will keep you up to date.