TIUNJ Yoga Meetup & Brunch

I swear, I could rave on and on about the Tone It Up fitness community, and how over the years, I've been able to connect with and meet so many beautiful, inspiring women. So when Kristyn, at Creative with Kristyn, wanted to put together a NJ meet up, I was all ears. She was planning for a yoga meet up, followed by brunch nearby. She picked an awesome spot that had a beginner's yoga class that she figured would be great for everyone, even if a few of the girls had never done yoga before. She was recommended to try a spot for brunch afterwards, and made reservations for guess what - 15 women! I couldn't believe how many we had coming.

I invited my friend who just got into Tone It Up, and so we woke up bright and early and headed to the yoga studio. We parked, signed in, and waited. I was able to snap some pictures of the art in the studio. It was such a warm and inviting place, except for the lady at the front desk. When she realized how big our group was, I think the nerves got the best of her, and she started shouting to make sure we had all filled out our paperwork. Not so namaste. Once we were all settled on to our mats, things got weird. Okay, probably not weird for most people who have done different types of yoga before, but I'm a vinyasa girl - I like the flow of the moves and positions, and I like feeling like I'm actually working out. This yoga did not flow. We did several different moves, but I felt like I never got the chance to really lie there and focus on my breath, or end each move and give it closure. It was different though, and I'm glad I gave it a try.

We got the group all together, and took a great big picture at the end. It was exciting to see so many awesome women coming together. Kristyn passed out little bags of Perfect Fit Cinnamon protein tied together with an awesome friendship bracelet (how sweet, right?!). Most of us were going to brunch afterwards, and it was walking distance, so we began our trek outside while snow was falling down, which made for a very cold walk. It went fast though, and before you knew it we were waiting to be seated inside the toasty restaurant. Unfortunately, there were so many of us that they had to split us up and four of our girls had to sit at another table. We all ended up having a great time getting to know one another though, and we enjoyed such delicious food. I ordered eggs with sausage and tons of veggies with a side of potatoes, which was unlike anything I'd ever had, and it was hard to stop myself from scraping the empty plate and licking it clean. It paired nicely with my green tea.

It soon felt like I was having brunch with girls that I knew for year. Each and every girl was so open with their lives and experiences, and it was a breath of fresh air. It's a funny thing, friendships... sometimes, they just form so easily, and you can't even remember how it started in the first place. I'm glad I was able to attend, and I cannot wait for more meet ups to be planned.

The Yoga Cruise

Lately I've been up for trying new workouts to keep things interesting. If I do a workout for too long, I get bored and don't feel like working out anymore. I mean let's be honest, how many times can you do the same routine over and over again at the gym? It's nice to try new things, and get a feel for different workouts that you may or may not like... at least you could say that you tried it.

So, when my friend Kristyn, blogger at Creative with Kristyn, emailed me with an idea to host a Tone It Up Meet Up I was all for it. She wanted to gather the girls together on a Yoga Cruise on Lake Hopatcong. I've been to that lake with Sal before, and I absolutely love it. It's so beautiful, and I thought that yoga on the lake would be so breathtaking and relaxing, I signed up right away. I didn't even care if no one else showed up. The only thoughts that flowed through my mind were thoughts of a boat filled with positive people, calming waves, the sound of rushing water, and the light from the sun peeking down on all of us. I could not have thought of a better way to wake up and get the day started.

It wasn't too far of a drive, and when I arrived I waited for Kristyn and her friend Jenn. It was the last yoga cruise of the summer so it was packed. We claimed our spots, placing our three yoga mats close together in a row. We waited for the instructor to prepare herself, and for everyone else to arrive. We began just as the boat set sail. I gave myself over to yoga. I tried not to let me thoughts wander, and when they did I acknowledged these thoughts, and brought myself back to my breath, and each movement. I felt inspired, and filled with love.

When we pulled back to the dock, I felt lighter. I felt like I was ready to take on the day, to take on the world. We were slowly brought back out of our meditation, and my breathing started to pick up and return to normal pace. We snapped a few pictures all together, and spoke of doing this again next year. I enjoyed it so much, I wish I had been able to go all summer, every week. It was inexpensive to spend an hour and a half out on the boat doing yoga. I mean, who could put a price on that type of relaxation?

Afterwards, I headed home to pick up my mom (she's not a fan of boats or else I'm sure she would have joined us) and we headed to the local diner. I never order waffles, but I was craving them - and of course, I had to go big or go home. I got the waffle with all the fix-ins and it was probably the best waffle I've ever had. I couldn't even eat all of the fruit on top, I was stuffed!

I cannot wait until the yoga cruises next summer! I'll be signing up for quite a few! 

Fitness Yoga in the Park

I am always looking to try new workouts, and when I find them, I try and invite other girls I know that will love them, specifically my Tone It Up Sisters ((other girls who do the Tone It Up workouts - if you haven't, you MUST at least try them!)). I am lucky that some live close to me, so that I am able to send out a quick email and gather up as many girls as I can to join me. My friend Alisa and I had gone to a couple of yoga sessions at a nearby yoga studio, and that's when we met an instructor who also had her own yoga business, specifically holding yoga classes in the park, and yoga hikes over the summer. As soon as we heard that we'd be doing yoga outside, in a park that we both love, we knew that we needed to go. We sent out an email, and got a few people interested.

It just so happened that I had the weekend day off from from, so I asked Alisa to meet me at my house bright and early, so that we could be the first people there in case any other girls showed up. We met the instructor and a couple of other people that were joining in on the Yoga Fitness Class. We started the class doing laps around the park's lake, and alternated between sprints, lunges, and jogs. It was intense, being that it was so early in the morning, but I didn't complain - I loved the views, the deep breaths on fresh air, and the chill of the summer morning as the sun peeked out. Even though it was just Alisa and I, as well as another friend who had showed up, I was happy. I was even happier when I realized two other people that had been participating in the class were Tone It Up girls as well! We hadn't said anything to each other because we weren't sure, but right before we went into yoga mode, we asked each other and started laughing when we realized who everyone was!

We went on top of the band stand for yoga, and even though there was a fair going on in the park, once you're in that meditation state, you don't hear the people talking, selling their products, or see them staring at you from down below. It was a truly, incredible experience, and if you haven't tried a yoga class outside, I would really recommend it. You feel powerful, as if you can achieve anything, except maybe a headstand on cement. Those, thankfully, were not attempted.

Afterwards, when we were all calm, relaxed, and centered, some of us headed across the street to a local place for fresh, healthy smoothies, which were delicious to say the least. I had been to the place once before, and had gotten a smoothie that I wasn't a huge fan of, but I changed it up this time and was quite pleased. We strolled back to the park, taking our time... talking about our morning, and our daily lives. It felt so great to just live in the moment, not rushing around getting our errands done or working hard. Sometimes it's nice to just be.

Rock & Roll Yoga

I used to shy away from new things, afraid of change, afraid that I wouldn't like it or wouldn't be good at it, but as I've grown older, I've realized that you won't know if you don't like something unless you try it. What is the use of this fear? It does nothing but hold you back from new experiences and keep you afraid. It has you in a chokehold and ir has no plans to let go. I have chosen to actively notice my thoughts, thanks to Gabrielle Bernstein and her book May Cause Miracles.

So when I noticed there was going to be a rock & roll yoga class, I was curious, and went along with my curiosity. I went into work early and met my friend at the yoga studio. I've wanted to get back into yoga lately, so any chance I get I try and go. It was buy one get one free, so my friend and I were able to split the price, which is just an added benefit. 

We laid out our yoga mats, and at first I was nervous, the lights were off, insense was lit, and there were intruments set up. Turns out there was someone who would play those instruments, which only made me more conscious of the situation, especially when he started to play them. It was, to my surprise, actually comforting to hear the music while doing yoga. I'm still not 100% sold on the chanting an oming, but I try a little bit more and a little bit louder every time. 

When I do yoga I always become warm, and immediately when it's over my body feels cold. I'd be lying if I said yoga isn't a workout, because some of those moves are tough, and not everyone can do them, at least not right away. It's always great to challenge yourself and test your limits, because with time, you get better. Practice makes perfect right? 

So regardless of any fear, you should always try new things. I loved the rock and roll yoga, it was new and yet oddly comforting. It brought me to a higher level of awareness, and I felt as if it came at just the right time.