Yoga Progress Report

It is great being able to capture workout photos in the age of social media because you can actually see your progress years from now. I regularly go through my photos from the middle of my yoga journey (which is when I joined Instagram) to see how far I've come. And I'm always astonished. It is so easy to beat down on ourselves when our workouts don't go as planned, or when we don't reach one goal or the other. But we forget where we come from and how much work it took us to get there. 

Some of you know and follow my yoga journey so I wanted to share what I looked at today. The photo above I took 2 years ago when I was finally able to get into the wheel pose at all, and the photo below I took last weekend. Such a huge difference.

Hopefully, this inspires you to not be too hard on yourself and focus on putting in the work. The progress will come.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: What Makes You Feel Powerful?

Yoga pose: One legged wheel. This pose is powerful and makes me feel like a goddess :-)

Inspiration: "He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still" - Lao Tzu.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: This is My Light

Yoga pose: Side crow with eagle legs. If you want to try to get into this pose, remember that it is all in the core, not the arms. Cross your legs before you try to lift them, and lift them slowly. It may take a few tries :-)

Inspiration: "Yoga is a tool to follow your light" - Taylor Harkness. I truly believe that this is my light. I play, and I laugh. Find your light.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: Share Your Gifts

Yoga pose: Pigeon with clasped fingers. Try this for both an inner thigh and a back stretch. I like to add back stretches to everything because I have such a tight upper back.

Inspiration: "Part of your mission in life must be to share your gifts with as many people as possible." - T. Harv Eker.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: Be Kind

Yoga pose: The Crow. Start in downward dog on your palms and feet, and slowly move your weight on to your palms. Balance your knees on your upper arms or elbows, and slowly lift your feet one at a time. Remember that it may take a few tries before your feet come off the floor. Look forward, not back toward your feet. 

Inspiration: "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - Dalai Lama.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: Be Open to Love

It's that Friday Inspiration time!

Yoga pose: Extended standing hand to big toe. If you are trying this pose, bend one knee and grab the big toe with two fingers. Straighten the standing leg completely before you attempt to extend the raised foot. The raised foot does not have to be entirely straight at first too. The more you do this, the better it gets. I love the openness of this pose :)

Inspiration: "The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." - Victor Hugo. 

Show some love today, but also be open to receive love from those sending it your way. Open your heart.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: What Works for your Body

Yoga pose: Extended forward fold.

Inspiration: Every person's body is innately different. One version of a pose is not better than another. With regular practice, you will slowly fall into what works for YOUR body to get the positive benefits and reduce your risk of injury. My practice became sooooo much better when I accepted this.

I want people not to get frustrated when you practice. A lot of us try to be like other people. There's nothing wrong in being inspired, but because our bodies are so different, rather than spend time mimicking, spend time learning about your body. Find out what works and what does not feel right.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: Quit Comparing Yourself

Yoga pose: Reverse Plank.

Inspiration: Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren't. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are - and aren't - that you will truly succeed.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

PS. This is random, but if you are in Lagos or Abuja, Nigeria, and are looking for a great food delivery service, have you heard of HelloFood? They have so many restaurants, and you can search by who delivers to your general area. Healthy food? Yep, they have restaurants with that as well! Have you tried the service? Check it out and let me know what you think.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Friday Inspiration: How Was Your Body Designed to Feel?

I skipped Friday Inspiration last week! Well, not to worry, let's get back on track. 

Yoga: Today's yoga pose is called the "Pistol Squat". It is usually done on the whole foot, but I am doing a variation on my toes.

Inspiration: "Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel" - Kevin Trudeau.

Do you know how your body was designed to feel? Everyday I exercise, I feel stronger, even on the days I feel weak. Exercise, yoga, and a good diet help me feel better than I have ever felt. I have a long way to go, but this experience right now? It is amazing.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

New to Yoga Series: Sun Salutations Part 2 - Flat Back and a Video of the First Half

What's the next step in the sun salutation? Although people do their versions differently, the next step is usually the flat back. You come into this pose from the forward fold. With your palms on the floor or on your legs, lift your upper body until you feel a stretch in your back and shoulders. Look forward and try to pull your head forward so your spine is stretch out parallel to the floor. Here are a few points to note: