Yoga Teacher Training

Motivation Monday #12

March 22, 2016 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts, Diet & Exercise, Food

Hey There!

Its been another dreadfully rainy day in San Francisco but the weather is supposed to perk up for the rest of the week; which is good because I sure need a kick in the pants! This weekend with my brother and sister in law was wonderful but teaching 16 classes, playing tour guide and managing everything else on my plate has definitely left me a bit drained. Instead of looking at things in a negative way I’ve used today’s weather as an excuse to stay in bed and recharge – well, at least in btwn my 6am & 12pm class I squeezed in a nap, and btwn my 12pm class and my 3pm shift at the studio I did some yin yoga…it’s all about making time for yourself and listening to your body, right?!?!We’re so close to wrapping up this lovely 16wks of 2016 Motivation challenge and I think both Phil and I have become that much more in tune with our bodys’ needs and how much the food we consume plays a role in how we feel. This weekend was full of more fried food and ice cream than I would care to admit and I’m feeling it contribute to my low energy today. I’m taking steps to hydrate, cleanse, & reboot for this week by adding some probiotics, as well as my trusty apple cider vinegar & lemon tea to help cleanse my system and have my feeling sharper/more alert. It’s GREENS, GREENS, GREENS for the first week of spring & we’re hoping they’ll have us feeling good as new in no time!

Week 12

“The reward make the work that much sweeter”

Exercise:

Phil – 55 min. yoga 2x/wk + 55 min. lifting w/cardio 3x/wk
Me – 55-75min. yoga 6x/wk + 55min cycling 3x/wk
Both – Skiing ALL DAY 2x/wk

Dietary Routine:

Breakfast

Multigrain cereal w/banana and almond milk
Zucchini Muffins w/orange juice
Protein Shake

Lunch

tofu nuggets w/bbq sauce, carrot & celery sticks
roasted veggies w/lavash bread & hummus
chicken or tuna salad w/multigrain crackers

Dinner

Mixed Greens w/Feta, cranberries, almonds & balsamic vinegar dressing
Mixed Greens w/Gorgonzola, pears, walnuts & champagne vinegar dressing
Mixed Greens w/Goat Cheese, roasted veggies, & white peach vinegar dressing

Snacks

apple w/nut butter
chia pudding
popcorn

’til next time, keep smiling 🙂

It’s Official

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts

As I watched the colors of this morning’s sunrise dance over the bridge and listened to the seals sing their morning song it officially sunk in, San Francisco is my new home. The last 12 days have been spent flying, finishing my yoga teacher training (more on that later), and moving into a second temporary apartment in San Francisco. If I have learned anything through my transition it’s that flexibility is a necessary survival skill. Those who know me well understand how difficult it can be for me…sure I can fold up like a veritable Gumby but ask me to switch seats with you on the plane or move out of the apartment I just started to settle into and I can become a bit rigid. I am using this transition as an opportunity to shift my perspective and be flexible – it has been making a world of difference…I’m definitely not perfect but I’m working on it 😉

I owe a lot of that shift to my yoga training and the Yoga Medicine family! I was blessed with the chance to share a week with 50+ incredible yogis and experience each one of their unique gifts. I have learned so much from our time together and am excited for all of us to continue to grow. I can’t wait to start sharing my gifts with the world as a Yoga Medicine 200hr Vinyasa Teacher.

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Yoga Date & Detox Day 9

April 8, 2014April 8, 2014 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts, Food

Happy Tuesday! I can’t wait to get through the work day so I can head to my yoga date tonight! My girlfriend and fellow health enthusiast Staci is meeting me at The Yoga Garden for a nice 75 minute flow and some Whole Foods action afterwards! Staci and I met through my sister out and about in the city many times but it wasn’t until she realized we were both Integrative Nutrition students that we really started to get to know each other! Tonight we’re chatting about me finishing school (that’s right, I take me final test for school this week), her recent travels and the possibility of us doing a 200hr yoga teacher training together – I am so excited!! Its always refreshing to spend time with like minded people who can relate to my feelings on life, food, etc… & can inspire me to keep moving forward!

The Vabulous Life Spring Detox Day 9 is going to be another great day! I am particularly excited for dessert this evening as I have something special in store! I have really been enjoying making raw & clean desserts but know I can take it to the next level; so I am heading to Sweet Freedom before yoga to snag some sweet inspiration! This bakery only makes completely clean desserts: from doughnuts & cinnamon buns to cakes and cookies, every sweet treat is vegan & gluten, dairy, soy, egg, nut, corn, casein, refined sugar free! They list all their ingredients for everything they make so I am super excited to try a few treats & see what I can recreate in my kitchen!

We may be over the half way hump but I am planning to continue a lot of these clean eating habits way after the detox ends! I am a firm believer in adding healthy items you enjoy to your routine as a way of naturally removing some things that aren’t as healthy for you…if you’re making room for the new & great you have to get rid of the old & maybe not so great, right?!?!

Detox Day #9