Yoga

http://www.sevayoga.net/

For the last two fridays I have partcipated in a yoga class at Seva Yoga Studio in East Grand Rapids.  It is a beginner class and let me tell you; the space is beautiful, the instructor - peaceful, great facilitator & teacher, and the experience both weeks has been mindful and stress-less.  What a beautiful practice of inner strength and balance.  Believe me, this is a beginner class, gentle yoga as they say.  For the beginner or maybe someone coming off an injury.  I haven't mastered several of the poses but the process and setting is worth the attmepts.

Last night during the final relaxation part of the class my mind kept wandering to work woes and home responsibilities but I let my mind gently push those thoughts away and focused on the music, the words of the narrator, I can't even tell you what he was saying, my mind was blank.  It was a wonderful feeling knowing that my mind was restful and that by practicing mindfulness I am getting better at pushing those nagging and anxious thoughts away.  

Afterwards, I feel lighter, walk taller, and speak softly.  What a great way to take care of yourself.  As I continue to prepare for my 60 mile journey for the Susan G. Komen foundation I believe yoga will be a regular self care activity for me.

Please try it if you haven't.  If you are an avid yoga-er, let me know what your favorite pose or place of practice is.  I am really hoping as my body gets physically more healthy I will be able to do more!  :)

Namaste!

~Jen
http://www.the3day.org/goto/jennifer.webb

Day one of 287...I'm at the starting line.

Here I am.  I have committed to walking 60 miles in 3 days, in August, in Michigan....HOT!  I have committed to raising $2300 in order to walk 60 miles in 3 days, in the humid, hot, August Michigan weather.  I have committed to ending breast cancer...to saving boobies, the breasts of my friends, family members, and those of potentially my 6 year old's future wife.  All of those women (and men) are important, deserving, and worth walking 60 miles in 90 degree weather in August. 

What's the problem you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  I am physically overweight, emotionally exhausted, and did I mention to you $2300?  I am a mom (single), a social worker, a daughter, and a friend.  I have historically not been able to stay on the health wagon...I am at my highest weight, I need to lose a lot of pounds to be in a healthy zone.  I want to be a positive role model for my son.  I need to be a positive role model for my son.  I want to be happy.  I need to be happy.

Today is the day.  Today equals change.  Come with me, be with me, support me.  Ups and downs, rights and lefts.  There will be many.  But today is the day.  It has to be.

Today is the last for many, but not for me.  Today is the beginning of a new, exciting, inspirational journey for us all.

I will walk 60 miles in 3 days for all of people that have and will be affected by breast cancer.  Along the way I will prove to myself how AWESOME I am .  I will succeed.

Hope to see you along my path.