Monday May Motivation

Happy Monday and Happy May!

I'm not one to shy away from a Monday.  I embrace them.  Enjoy the excitement of a new week.  This very Monday falls on the start of a new month.  This ignites a different kind of fire in me.  A new week, a new month!  A chance to make new goals.  Make them BIG! 

I'm always dreaming.  Thinking HUGE!  Outside the box.  The way to follow my heart.  It talks we just have to listen.  And I'm listening.  There's so many things to be grateful for.  There are more things my heart wants to do.  Dreams I want to chase!  Be on the lookout for these wild dreams to be shared.  Until then, think of your own dreams.  What's one thing you can do with this new week and month to make your heart shine?

 

Class updates for May!

Catch me Tuesdays at 9am and Thursdays at 6pm at Rumor's upstairs.

Pop up classes can happen at any time so stay in the loop by subscribing on the side of the blog or by following me on Facebook.

I hope to see familiar and new faces on the mat!

 

Namaste, Rachael

 

 

 





Sunday Gratitude

As I sit here on my deck on this beautiful Sunday I'm overcome with gratitude.  This last week was crazy and fun.  I'm meeting so many amazing people in my yoga classes.  You all bring such great energy to my life and I'm grateful for all of you. This is my dream and I put 100% of myself in my classes.  One year ago I never would of thought I'd be teaching.  I had every excuse. Not enough time (darn kids), not enough money (yoga certs are SOOO pricey! Yikes!), etc.  But I followed my heart and took the leap.  To everyone who walks into my class my heart explodes.  Thank you for sharing my dream with me.   

On Friday I got to road trip with a friend to see my husband's band.  We were surprised by my brother and sister in law!  A fun night to see my husband do what he loves.  Since he supports me in what I love to do.  Heart followers and dream chasers over here!!! 

I also got to hang out and lead a yoga class with some amazing Fierce sisters. We spent time in a salt cave, ate, hugged, and drank beers and wine.  The love I've found from all of you I'll be grateful for forever.  Tribe Found and I'm not letting any of you go!   

My Fierce Sisters after our yoga class in LaGrange, Illinois

 

I think it's fitting my next class will cover the heart and being open love and being love and light.  Until next time my friends.

Namaste, Rachael



Yoga on the Deck Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana) and Extended Side Angle

Last week got away from me and I missed Yoga on the Deck!  Between rain showers and kids on spring break it was craziness!

Warrior is one of my favorite series of poses to flow with.  It reminds of an awesome warrior headed in to battle.  You should feel strong and ready to face anything after these poses.  Maybe even graceful.

 

Begin with a sun salutation warm up.  Stand in the middle of your mat.  Take your feet wide, about 3 feet.  But as always listen to your body here.  Turn the right toes to the front of the mat.  Square your left foot at a 90 degree angle or turn those toes in a bit.  Whatever makes you comfy.  Inhale your arms up and exhale bend your right knee.  The knee stays over the ankle and the left leg stay strong and active.  Inhale big and drop your left arm down your left leg.  Take the right arm up to the sky.  Take some big beautiful breathes here.

 

 

  On and exhale rainbow your right arm down to your right thigh, left hand goes up.  Now you have an option to drop that right hand all the way to the Earth (or deck in this case). Breath here and when your ready exhale to come up.

 

 

Repeat this whole sequence on the other side.

 

For a video option click here

 

Have a great week everyone!

Namaste, Rachael



Yoga on the Deck Warrior 2 Virabhadrasana 2

Welcome to another week of Zen yoga on my deck.  I decided to expand on the Warrior we did last week.  Warrior poses are my favorite.  I really feel connected to that inner badass!

Please remember to warm up before doing these poses.  No need for injuries!

 

Warrior 2

Start with your feet about 3 feet wide.  As wide as in comfy for you.  Turn your right toe out to the front of your mat and your back or left leg stays pointing forward, even a little bit in.  Whatever is comfortable for you.  Inhale bring your arms up, parallel to the floor and exhale bend the front knee.  Check your knee.  Make sure it's a beautiful straight line with your ankle.  Don't let it go past your toes! Stay tall in your torso, don't lean forward. Hold for 5 breaths. 

 

Exhale drop the arms and come back to the start position.

 

Repeat the whole thing on the other side. 

 

 

I hope this ignites the warrior within!  For a video option click here

Have a great week!

 

Much love and Namaste,

Rachael

 

 



Yoga on the Deck Warrior 1 Virabhadrasana 1

Welcome to my very first "Yoga on the Deck!"  My deck is my favorite place to practice.  Hearing the birds and occasionally my ducks makes me happy.  Brings me closer to nature.
Do a couple rounds of sun salutation to warm up and then let's do this!

Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana 1)

 

Start in mountain pose.  Take a couple breathes to center yourself and focus. Take a deep breath in and send your right foot back on the exhale.  Turn your foot to a 90 degree angle.  Line your left heel up with the arch of your right foot.  Square your hips to the front and bend your left knee, making sure your knee is in line with your ankle.  Bring your palms together at your heart or overhead.  If you're going with the overhead option make sure your shoulders are dropped. NO TURTLES! :)  Hold for 5-7 breathes.  As you exhale try to go deeper into the lunge.  Don't let your torso sink.  Stay tall like a Warrior! On an exhale bring your right leg back. Take a couple deep breathes in mountain and do it again on the left.

 

 

 

 

Warrior 1 will help lengthen and tone the spinal muscles, strengthen the knee joints, quads, glutes, and upper body.  Also stretches the lats and hip flexors.  You'll also release that inner Warrior!

 

For a video option click here

 

 

Namaste, Rachael



The race report that turns into a story I want to share

Apparently it's taking me weeks to write race reports.  I never did one about my race in DC so I guess a year on some.  Sad thing is I write my posts in my head, while I'm running.  I know who I want to thank, what I want to say.  Yesterday I promised myself today would be the day to write about my day at the North Country Trail Run. 

Then something unexpected happened yesterday, into last night.  Something most won't talk about.  Something that hasn't happened to me in awhile.

Those who know me would tell you I'm a very relaxed person. 

 

Zen.  Go with the flow.

 

Yesterday was totally normal in my family.  We ran to Aldi to get meal prep items and on the way home I stopped to get coffee.  A couple hours later I thought maybe my coffee had been caffeinated.  My heart was racing, I thought I'd peel off my own skin.  Later in the evening I realized it was much more.

I used this energy to get stuff done, laundry, dishes, meal planning, planning my workouts for the next 2 weeks.

At bedtime I was really tired. Laid down, my chest hurt, I felt like my skin was going to burn off. I realized I hadn't eaten a proper dinner. So I got up and grabbed a snack, read a book (The Light Between Oceans is amazing by the way!). I laid back down and was convinced I was having the big one.  I was really close to having my hubby take me to the ER.  Rationale finally came to me and I realized I wasn't dying.

 

 I was having an anxiety attack.

 

And that's exactly what it feels like.  Your world is crumbling down, your heart will explode, your skin wants to peel off.  I have no real reason to explain why this happened.  Nothing triggered it.  It just happened. 

I have had anxiety and stress related issues for as long as I can remember.  I'm really good at masking it and covering it so no one knows. I was medicated after the birth of my twins.  Too much stress with the new babies and my husband's heart literally trying to kill him.  I soon got back into running and found my happy, no meds needed.

I'm lucky that that's the only time I've ever needed meds and that most people aren't as lucky. Last night I really thought my world was collapsing.  No real reason.  Maybe it's the thought of leaving my family for a week for a road trip, ,maybe it was the coffee, maybe it was those age old thoughts that I'm not good enough, that I did something wrong and I'm being judged.
The voice that says you're a
 
Bad Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Friend

 I don't think those feeling will ever go away. Even thought I try to tell them to leave.  I tell myself I can't let external forces control my feelings, control my happiness.

 

I am Strong.

 I am Healthy.

 

 That's what I tell my self on those moments when I feel like I'm falling apart.  It doesn't happen often but it does.  You may see me as strong but I am human.  I do break.

Last night my nerves finally calmed down at 4am.  I'm running on very little sleep but I'm ready to face the day and my workouts for today.  Because deep down I know it will help.

I'm doing my best to escape the feelings of insecurity. 
The feelings that I'm not good enough, that I'll never be good enough, pretty enough, just enough.

I will not let outside forces ruin my happiness.
I am Brave
I am Happy
I AM ENOUGH!

 

Rachael

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies made with duck egg!

A couple months ago my kids joined 4H. I gave them a choice on what they wanted to do and of course they chose poultry. Specifically ducks.  I know zero about poultry and zero about ducks.  I did my research, pinned about a hundred duck house ideas and we were ready.  A trip to the feed store and we came home with 5 one day old baby cheeps.  Raising kids is stressful, baby ducks even more.

Elsa and Leonard

They are 2 of our favorites.

 
The day we all waited for happened yesterday, an egg!  Ok now what do I do with this egg.  I've heard that duck eggs are best for baking.  I grabbed my favorite cookie recipe and went to work.  The best part of duck eggs is they are bigger than chicken eggs.  Only one egg is needed when you normally need 2.







The first day we had eggs, we had one.  The second we had 2.

Way to go ladies!

 

 



Here is the recipe, if you can't find duck eggs, I'm sure I can hook you up.

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 duck egg
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup old fashion rolled oats

 

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Step 2: Mix flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. In a large bowl beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Add duck egg, beat well. Gradually stir in the flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and oatmeal. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto baking sheets.

Step 3:  Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely

These are a huge hit in my house!  Duck eggs make baking creamier. They are the best cookies I've ever had!  My kids think so too.

I really can't stop eating them!