Tre'd up.

The day before my birthday, I received a call from my doctor's office with lab results. A week prior, I went in for my annual physical. I learned that I have a Vitamin D deficiency, which can be remedied by simply taking vitamins. I hate taking pills...seriously. But, it's something that has to be done. I also learned that my mom does the same, so it's hereditary. Yay, genes! 

While reading up on symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency, I began to figure out what was going on with me in the past few months. Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include aching joints and feeling "blue." For the past 3-4 months, this is what I had been experiencing. 

My right knee was bothering me in ways it's never bothered me before. I've been playing since I was 8, and the only knee problems I've ever had was "jumpers' knee." But, yoga wasn't helping with the aches I had in my knee. I initially thought my body was in shock after picking up this new hobby of running. So after the Hot Chocolate 5K, I went from running 3x a week to only once a week.

Also, I felt like I hadn't been myself the past few months. I initially thought I was suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. When the sun was out, I was fine. But, it just seemed like there were more cloudy days than sunny days. It was like I was in a constant state of "blah".

When something makes me upset, I acknowledge that I'm upset, and then say to myself "OK, what are you going to do about it? Dwell on it, or change your mood?" It seemed like the pep talk wasn't working for me. Was I depressed? It's possible. But I do know ever since I've returned from vacation, my mood has gotten so much better. I started taking the Vitamin D supplement while on vacay. Monday, I came home and practiced yoga for an hour after work. I hadn't done that since July or August. And I slept peacefully, like I've always done after an evening yoga practice.

My vacation in New Orleans, along with my doctor letting me know what was going on with me was right on time. I feel like I'm getting back to myself. I really enjoyed my trip and really appreciate my peoples for hanging with me. 

The homies after dinner at Superior Seafood

Chillin' on Bourbon Street

Good times as the clock struck midnight on 12/4

 

Self-explanatory

K to the...

Yogi Chronicles: The Hoopin' Yogi

“One door closes, another opens. You never know who is watching you…and seeing a skill in you that you definitely didn’t see in yourself. That’s a dope feeling.”

I posted this status on August 30th, 2014 (Facebook Timeline is good for something) after having a nice, lengthy conversation with my yoga instructor. Before she excused us from class on this day, she told the class that she would be teaching a certification class and she had flyers for those who would be interested. I go to get a flyer…just to be nosy. As I grabbed the flyer, she looked up and said, “So, you’re ready to start teaching?”

*scratches record* What?

Though I had been taking a more advanced class for about a year, in addition to her class…I didn’t feel I was “experienced” enough to guide others. But, she saw something that I didn’t see in myself. I told her I would think about it and get back to her. It took less than a week to decide to go through with it.

And I'm glad I did.

This past Saturday, I received my certificate of completion. I celebrated by taking a nap (Because...32), then popping the finest Italian bubbly with the peeps that put me on to it. I still have some ongoing training to do (subbing so I can get used to teaching), but there is a good chance I'll have my own beginners' yoga class by the end of the summer.

The class will more than likely be at the gym I go to...which I joined thanks to an ex...who is the reason I started taking yoga. Ain't life funny?

I had created an Instagram page, but I didn’t want to share the information with anyone until I was officially done. I'm not sure where I want to go with the page, but in the meantime...gon’ ‘head and follow TheHoopinYogi. :-)

Namaste.

K to the...

Yogi Chronicles: Three Years

It's been three years. Three years since I took a step to move on. Three years since stepped on a yoga mat for the first time. Three years since I questioned why I signed up, but decided to keep going.

Three years later, I take time to write here on my blog instead of in my journal that I've been writing in for the past 45 days. A journal that I write in after my daily practice that has had my alarm going off at 5a every morning, even on the weekends. A daily practice that is part of an ongoing homework assignment.

I am currently enrolled in a 200 hour certification class so that I can teach yoga. In addition to an increase in how much I practice, the reading, practicing how I'm going to teach, there is also daily meditation. It is because of this meditation, I'm learning so much about myself. I'm more aware of my surroundings. I pay more attention to my body. I'm more aware of what I put into the universe (which has been a challenge today given the fact Darren Wilson is a free man). My relationship with God is strengthening.

I can go on and on.

One of the biggest signs of the change within me is my current place of employment. A month ago, I returned to a place of employment that I absolutely hated waking up for 2 1/2 years ago and I couldn't be happier.

Growth.

If you had told me three years ago that I'd be studying to be a yoga instructor, I'd think you were crazy; especially after that first downward-facing dog. I would think I'd be a basketball coach (in which I have no interest, believe it or not) before being a yoga instructor.

Yet, here I am.

All because of what I did on this date, three years ago.

Namaste.

Yogi chronicles: The divine in me smells the funk in you

My Saturdays start with an 8:30am hatha yoga class. We warm up, on our own, then get into the practice...focusing on our breathing and intention. While we are getting to our "quiet place", our eyes are closed. Because I have a strong nose, I can smell what The Rock is cooking when someone is coming in after we start. The smells are usually pleasant...like fresh out of a dryer full of Bounty sheets.

But, there is one woman who is always late, coming in smelling like moth balls. I never smelled a dead body before. But I'm pretty sure the smell of moth balls is up there as one of the worst smells on earth. When she walks in, I have to refrain from saying "GAT DAMN!" and remained focused on my breathing and intention.

She needs to start showing up on time, dag nabbit!

K to the...

Yogi Chronicles

I've noticed that I don't write much about this "yogi" life of which I am 'bout! Well, let me sauté ON today.

I attended my first hatha yoga class in November 2011. Pure. Struggle. After the first downward dog, I thought "What did I sign up for?" I hated that pose. My instructor, Joanna, said the poses that you hate the most are usually the ones you need. And that pose was the one I needed. My strength has always been, mainly, in my legs. But, now...

*kisses guns*

In September 2012, thanks to a suggestion from a classmate, I signed up for the power yoga (advanced) class. I was skeptical because I didn't want to feel as if I was getting ahead of myself. She saw how I was progressing in hatha and figured I could do it. Though my arms felt like noodles the first 3 weeks of the class, I was glad that I did sign up. 

As of today, I still attend those two classes...err week. In addition to feeling the results of the practice (better breathing, better posture, listening to the body, etc.) I've seen the results. 

Also, being able to hold poses I never thought I'd be able to do is dope, as well.

Not even a horrid Bears game in the background could break my concentration. Swank!

So yeah. My name is K.D.. I am a yogi. I'm 'bout dat life. And hope to be 'bout dat life until I'm 86 like one of my Saturday morning classmates.

Namaste.

K to the...