Working Out
Teacher Training
Crochet
My quick thoughts on this changing world….
Welcome back! Gotta tell you, it’s been a weird week (as I’m sure for everyone)! I left the Wednesday before our Spring Break to chaperone my son’s field trip, and never would I have thought I wouldn’t be going back to work. I feel guilty because Wednesday was the last time I saw my students, and we had just had a district benchmark, so it wasn’t the most fun time. Just strange, as I’m writing this, I’m supposed to be teaching at school. So nuts how the world works! When they normally cancel school here, it’s because of a hurricane or bad weather. However, across the world, a single virus has caused everything to shut down. During these stressful times, it’s important to take care of yourself and find something to keep your anxieties and worries at bay (yoga, crochet, crafts, reading, etc.) so that your immunity stays up!
It’s been interesting getting used to this norm. I am teaching, however, it’s online. Funny thing is that I’m a slight introvert, so having to hunker down and do my job online hasn’t been as difficult a transition as I thought. It’s given me a lot of time to look deep down and think about what is important to me and my family. It’s definitely brought us closer together (although I’m sure my kids are already sick of me getting onto them…LOL). I don’t know how long this norm will last, but my worries are for those that are not as lucky as some of us still getting paid. Small businesses are going to suffer more the longer this quarantine continues. I know it’s necessary, but the world still moves on. I worry about those that are needy. I worry about my students, and wether they are doing fine. I worry about the elderly and those with a compromised immunity and how they need to be protected. I worry about the doctors, nurses, police, and those putting their life on the line to protect others (I THANK YOU!!!). I worry about our future. However, little glimmers of hope pop up here and there. I recently read about Italy’s canals and how they are clearing up, and dolphins that haven’t been seen in 60+ years are starting to swim in it (and other wildlife)! How amazing! When I look within, I start to think that maybe this is a wake up call! I saw a meme today on Instagram that made me think of this. It said, “Kinda feeling like the Earth just sent us all to our rooms to think about what we’ve done. (unknown author)” You can agree with me, or not, but this is how I’m feeling right now.
Ok….enough ranting. It’s just an interesting time in this world right now, and felt like I needed to acknowledge it. Moving on!
How my new schedule is working
During this downtime, I’ve been keeping up with my norm, but now have shifted how it’s done. I’ve been keeping up my yoga practice and have moved to online teaching. Instead of having face-to-face meetings, now they are through Zoom and contact with parents are either through phone or the Remind app. I have a lot to do, so I put a schedule together so that I can continue with my practice, work, and helping the boys with their schooling. Online learning for them starts officially next Monday.
In the meantime, like I mentioned, I’ve been continuing my practice daily. For my sanity, I’ve been doing an AM and PM session. I am so used to constantly moving at work that I am incorporating it at home. A new thing I’ve been trying is having live yoga online classes!! It is the COOLEST thing! As part of what’s been happening with all of the closures, My Yoga Teacher has opened all of their group classes for free for the month of March! When I first saw it, I figured “why not” and signed up (no credit card needed!). One of the perks for signing up is that you get 5 free one on one yoga sessions with one of their teachers. I’ve already had 2 sessions (with two different teachers) and a group glass. It (and they) are amazing! I ask them wether I’m properly doing poses, and they give me pointers! The first instructor focused on pranayama, asanas, and meditation. The second one focused on having me do a vinyasa flow. Phew!! Now that one was a workout!! After my second session, the next day, my upper body was sore! We focused on upper body strength. Very cool and highly recommend it!
Another cool thing is that a lot of my favorite yoga studios are live streaming their classes online. Some are donation based and others I’ve seen as low as $7 a class. I haven’t tried one yet, but will let you know when I do! All of these online classes are streamed though Zoom.
I have also been keeping up with my schedule and focusing on the different body parts (muscles). The schedule has been working out great because it gives me a focus everyday and I’m not floundering around trying to figure out what to do. The journaling has also been a tremendous help!! I write how I feel before the workout, what specific workout I did, and how I’m feeling afterwards. So far, I’m happy with my schedule and journaling! Below is a picture of what I’ve been doing:
My Continuing Learning (YTT)
I have definitely been keeping up with my online learning! As I do more and more, I am convinced that I made the right choice. Especially now with all of the quarantines, online learning is definitely the way to go! I am still in the yoga philosophy section, but getting towards the end so that I can take the quiz. The last part is reading the Bhagavad Gita. The module suggested finishing up the book before continuing and taking the quiz, so that’s what I’m doing now. I did finish the Sutras, so almost finishing this section! So much to learn, but I love it! If you ever get a chance to read the Gita, it is an amazing spiritual book and very profound. Definitely not light reading! LOL It makes you delve deep into yourself and analyze how you are (and are acting) as a person. I highly recommend it.
Crochet Progress
Unfortunately, the only project I haven’t advanced much on is my crochet. Since the last time, I was only able to finish a couple more rows.
The reason I haven’t gotten further on my crochet, is that since I have a little more time during the day, I’ve been pouring all of it into my YTT. I figured, this is a perfect time to do it!
With all this social distancing, if you get bored, enroll in a course! There are a lot of free resources out there! In Facebook, I see a lot of free courses, virtual museum tours, etc. Virtual wise, the possibilities are endless! No excuse to be bored (after your work, of course…LOL)! For anxiety, meditation is great. In the My Yoga Teacher app, there are lots of meditation classes that you can take! What’s important is to find something you enjoy doing to help you through this difficult time.
Hope everyone stays healthy and safe! Have a great week and wash your hands (20 seconds)!!!!!
Grounding Fitness, LLC 