So this is the new year...

... and I don't feel any different.
Just kidding. I do. Those are just the opening lines from a DCFC song I like a lot.

Yes, yes, 2014 has arrived whether I like it or not. 2013 was a pretty good year for me. I learned more about myself, I got back in to school and I've more or less accepted my situation and learned to embrace it and make the best of it. Not like it was bad to begin with, I just feel residual impulses to be constantly moving, because that's all I've ever known. But I am happy where I am and who I'm with. I'm happy with my work and school situation. I'm happy and grateful everyone I love is still alive, so it's never that bad, is it?

Even though my situation was good, I'm trying to make it better in 2014. I set resolutions. Real ones. That I am committed to keeping. No. Matter. What. See, one thing I learned about myself in 2013 is that I don't give myself enough credit. I am capable of great things. But I've never accomplished anything way super significant because I get lazy and unmotivated. But not anymore. New year, new me. (Well, still the same me, but with enhanced motivation!)

So, here they are.

First, I will eat better in 2014. Not like my diet is terrible, but it's a far cry from the awesomeness it was a couple of years ago. Carson and I got stocked up on neat kitchen appliances for Christmas, so now I really don't have any excuses. Hello, green smoothies and delicious, nutrient dense crock-pot meals, I will devour you! Mostly this resolution has a lot to do with me not being lazy when it comes to my self-care. I feel better when I eat better, and I know this, so I have to do this.

Second, I will get back in to yoga in 2014. Again, nothing compared to where I was 2 years ago. It's sad watching my flexibility and strength wane! Besides consulting my multitude of books on a regular basis, I intend to make use of online resources like no one's business. Plus, I thought of something fun and challenging to do (in January at least. I'll probably be ready for a switch up come February). For January I decided to do one more sun salutation a day than I did the day before. I started on January first with one sun salute, and I will keep adding so that on the last day of the month I will do 31 sun salutations. If you would like to see how I progress with that particular resolution (and what I decide to do the rest of the year to keep me on track) you can follow my yoga blog.

Third, I will be participating in a Spending Fast in 2014. I found the inspiration for this resolution here. This girl and her blog seriously rock. I get so many awesome money-saving tips from her page that I decided to completely throw myself into her get-out-of-debt strategy. I'm not the worst spender in the world but I could be much better with my money. By far my biggest challenge will be to not buy little trinkets and nail polish from work (I have a small fixation with nail polish. That's all we're going to say).

Did you set any resolutions you'd care to share? Good luck and best wishes for 2014!

A really neat yoga website

Today I'd like to share my newest online infatuation: Yoga Today. Over 200 1-hour long classes shot in gorgeous outdoor locations or an elegant studio. I didn't know the joy and surprise I was getting myself into when I signed up for the their free membership.


Signing up for a free membership means having access to a featured free class every week. (There are monthly/yearly membership options, too, but free works for me right now).  Every class has a theme, too, like turning fear into courage, practicing gratitude, or a focus on foundation and alignment (that was this week's free class). Another thing I like about the site is that ALL of the videos are about an hour long-- not a skimpy 30 minutes, or worse still 20 minutes. One hour of breathing and flowing, with expert guidance, in the comfort of my home. Free. It's perfect for when I can't make it to a class in town, or when I feel indecisive about what to do on any given day.

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The reason I like Yoga Today more than other sites that offer free yoga videos is because they really focus on more than just the physical asanas. In this week's class, pranayama was the major focus and the physical asanas took sort of a back seat because they were fairly simple. It was all about breath. And was just what I needed! I've been feeling sort of stuck in practice lately and I think it's because I haven't had much instruction on the different aspects of breath. Other teachers on other sites will just say "inhale up, exhale lower" but they leave out the reason behind the flow of breath. I practice yoga for more than just the physical aspects, so when I find a teacher that focuses only on that I become frustrated. I still have so much to learn about yoga and it sometimes gets scary trying to create my own practice that is balanced in my body as well as my mind and spirit. This is why we seek teachers. Yoga Today does a great job facilitating all aspects of yoga.


This is my third week doing the free videos and I have to say I'm really happy with the site. The teachers provide great instruction and teach with models, so you have options in different poses. The first week I practiced with a Yoga Today video my arms and shoulders were sore for days. That's what I'm talking about! But the one thing that really gets me feel giddy and giggly is that they practice outdoors. It's so serene and inspiring! The first time I did one of their videos they practiced in front of the Grand Tetons! I used to see those mountains all the time; I miss seeing those mountains every day of my life, so it was a very welcome surprise when I saw them towering in the background. 

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