FAITH, FITNESS, FUN

September not only boasts the 30 Days of Self-Love here on Faith, Fitness, Fun, but also the celebration of yoga. It’s Yoga Month! You can even get FREE classes so check out www.yogamonth.org!

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I took part in some yoga today, just as I do every Friday. I even went out of my way today. Normally I go to the basic yoga class at my gym, but M wouldn’t allow it today. I got through 20 minutes of the class before I felt a tap tap tap on my shoulder. Someone had a bit of a ‘tude problem today and didn’t want to hang out in the childcare. I had to pack up my mat and head home with her. I wouldn’t allow that to stop me from downward dogging it! Thank goodness for resources like yogadownload.com. I tacked on another 20 minutes of free yoga with Baptiste Power Flow Yoga #3.

May not have been ideal, but it worked. It felt so nice to stretch out my legs and lower back. My lower back needs all the help it can get with the growing bump.

I admit that I found myself scrounging around for yoga options interesting. 6 months ago I would have scoffed at even taking the time to try yoga. I finally gave in and can no longer debate its benefits. It has only affirmed many of the things I believe and opened my horizons to new views of fitness.

You don’t have to sweat buckets to have a good workout. After my first class, I hurt! Holding moves and supporting your body weight definitely provide a challenge. I remember having to hold a deep chair pose for an interminable amount of time my first class. Talk about leg strength.

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It really does stretch you out and improve other areas of fitness. My hamstrings always get tight. It annoys me greatly, yet nothing ever seemed to work. Until yoga. I still have a ways to go in flexibility, but I can notice a marked improvement since I took that first class. I also don’t have to deal with soreness all the time and have it affect my other workouts.

It revitalizes energy and positivity. I can’t imagine leaving yoga class feeling worse than when I came. I always end with a big smile on my face and a pure feeling of empowerment. Perhaps it lies in the extra time to reflect peacefully or really feeling the strength in my body. I don’t know for certain what yoga does, but it’s something magical that’s for certain.

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Yoga draws me out of my comfort zone, which strengthens me in ways beyond physical fitness. I am not that great at it. I could improve by leaps and bounds, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have to worry about any of that. My other workouts, when not pregnant, tend to be about pushing myself to new limits and seeing what I can achieve. Yoga, on the other hand, challenges me but at the same time allows me to just be. I know I can use that in my life, so I don’t foresee yoga going anywhere anytime soon.

• Do you like yoga? If you haven’t tried it is there something holding you back?
• What’s something that pushes you out of your comfort zone but helps you in some way?
• I will still be posting the 30 Days messages on Saturday and Sunday so please keep an eye out and participate! They might not post until around 12 noon EST though as I don’t wake up to write on weekend mornings.

Have a great weekend all! For my US counterparts, enjoy the 3 days off and the start of college football!

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You all rock this 30 Days of Self-Love. Your reflections and comments inspire me every day. I cannot wait to share them in future 30 Days posts and see just where this goes. I’m beginning to believe this is too powerful to just disappear after September. I know from my experience, I still need strength in my daily prayer to fully appreciate and have faith in myself. I also know we can learn so much from each other. I have no plans whatsoever but what I’m feeling cannot be put out just because October 1st rolls around. I sincerely hope that as we go through this process you get to the same point too, in seeing the power of simple reflections. In sum, I love you guys and you’re awesome!

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How do you define beauty? When you consider someone beautiful does the sole focus lie in her outward appearance? When you look at yourself in the mirror, can you look past that barrier of our body called the skin and see beauty? The top definition for beauty in the Miriam-Webster dictionary: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. Interesting. I see nothing about a small waist, a butt that looks good in skinny jeans, luscious hair, or full lips in that definition. Perhaps because beauty does not reside in those things?

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No. Beauty gives “pleasure to the senses” or “exalts the mind or spirit”. For example, I find a compassionate quality in a person more pleasurable than white teeth. Although those white teeth will show as beautiful through a tender smile caused by the compassion. In essence, the compassion still reigns as the beauty. I also view strength as beautiful. Someone finishing a race may have beautiful, strong legs but the determination to achieve and care for her body makes them beautiful. Not the muscles.

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No physical manifestation of those inner qualities of beauty need to exist. We simply need to adapt this paradigm shift of defining beauty by the inside versus the outside. Intrinsic beauty fits the true definition of beauty and flatters more than a miracle bra. When we tap into our intrinsic beauty and allow it to showcase who we are, nothing will succeed at diminishing our sparkle. Intrinsic beauty shines through. See your body as a reflection of your inner qualities. There is power…and beauty…in that.

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Take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you. Search deep. Through the day consider these qualities. How do they showcase in your life and make you beautiful?

My answer: I know I am truly beautiful because I love deeply. That love may show up in my arms…from carrying M around, serving others, and helping my husband with some of his beloved house/car projects…but the beauty is still the love behind those actions. My beauty is also in my faith. It helps me live my life with peace and positivity. No physical reflection of that needed.

Quote to Reflect On
Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. ~Martin Buxbaum

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*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared the message and let me know if you do/did.

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Yet again, you all blow me away with your beautiful comments and belief in this process. I know daily reflections helped change my life and it excites me to see it doing positive things for each of us now. I wish I could respond in depth to each of you! I’m keeping tabs though and fully plan to use your comments in the future as I’m hopeful to feature the 30 days in new ways.

I also want to share another movement reaching out to uplift women. I stand behind it fully. The movement showcases women in a natural state along with their testaments to their beauty every day. Please check out Heather’s Faces of Beauty site! I’m featured on it today and would love for you to give it a look. Plus, you know you want to see how young I look without make-up.

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Guess what I did today? I walked on a tightrope!

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Okay. Maybe I didn’t really, but it sure does feel like it. Keeping balance in life never gets easier! Every day I face a juggling act of keeping numerous things in balance.

Work & Play
I wear many different hats. In addition to my role as mother and wife, I do the following: I tutor Spanish. I lead an adult Bible study class as well as a small group during the week. I blog and freelance write. I spent great amounts of time yesterday keeping up with emails, comments, questions, etc related to the blog. I had to work on prep work for the class I lead. I had to brainstorm for my next article. I busted my tail (and my fingers on the keyboard) yesterday. While I loved every moment, especially the blog stuff, I knew I needed play too. So at 4:00 I unplugged and hit up the playground with my family.

I even channeled my inner kid and hopped on the swings. I do not want the day to come where swinging does not entertain me. It’s all about the simple things, after all.

Eating
I know from experience that trying to eat perfectly does me only harm. An all or nothing mentality will quickly lead me down a road of depression and binging. I’ve adapted to being okay with doing my best. That’s all I can do anyways and its pretty dang good. I treat my body well with wholesome foods, but refuse to feel guilty for splurges. Which is why one night I can eat kale chips and sloppy joes made with beans + veggies, then delight in a treat my husband brings home for me a couple days later.

Fitness
In my past, every day needed a workout. I drove myself into the ground with guilt if I wasn’t driving my body into the ground with obsessive time in the gym. Now, I adore taking at least one rest day per week and more if needed. I skipped the gym today to spend some time with our playgroup and replenish my energy after kickboxing, spinning, and lifting Mon-Wed.

Mental
My brain does not get many breaks. I have a hard time calming down my mind. I pride myself on my focus and determination to accomplish things. However, my mind needs to chill sometimes! So I take mental rest with my peaceful mornings of prayer…and the occasional night spent watching trash TV like The Bachelor Pad. Ha! How’s that for balance? Fall TV needs to come back to give me a mental break without the loss of integrity. 

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• What childhood activity do you still love doing?
• What Fall TV show are you most looking forward to returning? GLEE! And also The Biggest Loser since I love my Tuesday nights watching it with my sister. The show may annoy me at times, but the tradition of watching with my sister and the overall premise of regaining health make me happy.

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