This is my last “Then and Now” post for the time being, and I think it is perfect for Wordless Wednesday as well! 🙂
Then – San Blas Islands, Panama, 2012
Grass is a nice change from sand, but the sun can be brutal
Now – Rocklin, California, January 2017
Full disclosure: I haven’t totally figured out whether I like yoga or not. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, peace of mind and body happiness afterwards, but find it very hard to start the practice and keep going for an hour or so. The first time I ever practiced yoga was with a friend in the tropics. We stuck with it, almost daily, for a year, using “audio tapes” in the shade of the palm trees. The next time I was serious about yoga was a couple of months ago, when I purchased a cheap membership for a month of hot yoga in a studio. Now, I do a little bit every day, but I am hoping to turn that into a real hour-long practice, a few times a week.
How about you? Do you enjoy yoga? Any other sport or practice to stay fit?
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January 11, 2017 at 13:19
I can’t stand yoga, but I know it’s good for me because my flexibility sucks. That’s one of the main reasons I hate yoga–it’s very painful for me and I feel so inept next to the women who can hold any pose without issues.
I’m planning to try it again in March–even got a new yoga mat to inspire me! For fitness, I love muay thai kickboxing. That’s the only thing I’ve found that I actually love and enjoy. Oh, and swimming, but that can be a bit of a pain.
January 11, 2017 at 16:06
I hear you about the ineptness next to other people! When I did that 30-day trial at a studio not too long ago, I was very happy I didn’t know anyone. I just looked like a robot compared to the other students. Graceful I will never be! 🙂 Stretching the body feels good after a while of suffering, but I don’t know whether it is worth it, if I don’t enjoy the process at all. I will have to try kickboxing one day!
January 11, 2017 at 14:43
Herk is adorable! Is it going to be hard not to kidnap him? I’ve done yoga a few times, but never kept up with it.
January 11, 2017 at 16:07
We are here now with one of the owners, so he is receiving love three-fold! Knowing the dogs we sit have great homes, it is not too hard to leave them behind. 🙂
January 11, 2017 at 15:16
My spouse loves yoga, or so she claims. She goes through fazes where she is very committed, then seems to lose interest. I think it is a hard thing to keep doing, as the poses can be quite challenging and frustrating.
I’m not even gonna try it.
Also, the dog doing the poses is melting my heart.
January 11, 2017 at 16:10
I guess that is it, phases, that’s how I seem to do yoga. So far, two yoga phases that would add up to about a year and everything in between are non-yoga phases! Herk is very good at the downward dog pose – a good illustration as to why they named the pose that way.
January 11, 2017 at 16:24
I just love the pictures of Herk doing yoga with you. Good dog!
January 11, 2017 at 17:13
He is a good dog and oh so cute! He is way more flexible than me, though. 🙂
January 11, 2017 at 17:10
I’ve enjoyed yoga when I’ve done it, but it’s not a regular practice for me. I know it’s really good for us so no excuses other than laziness. Herk is adorable!
January 11, 2017 at 17:14
That is, indeed, my main excuse: laziness and lack of time. 🙂 Maybe, one day, I will really get into it!
January 11, 2017 at 17:26
I’ve never actually tried yoga and am what some might call “exercise adverse” but if my partner looked like Herk, I might be willing to give it a go.
Stephanie @ SV CAMBRIA
January 12, 2017 at 12:31
You can always ask David to put his dog costume on. 🙂 For the longest time, I never tried yoga. When I finally did, I hated it. The poses, effort and stretches take a while to get used to. At that point, I found it tolerable and even pleasant sometimes. But then, when you stop for a while, you kind of have to start all over again. So, to me, it means commitment to start and keep going… Some bodies are definitely more suited to yoga than others (like mine – the tall and non-agile kind).
January 11, 2017 at 22:58
Hi, Liesbet –
I am a big fan of your ‘Then and Now’ posts!
I greatly enjoyed seeing your photos for this week (especially the one of Herk-the-yoga-dog)!
I began yoga classes for the first time last year. Very quickly I became a convert. Although I will never be the most coordinated person in any class (huge understatement), some things that I absolutely LOVE about yoga are:
Reminds me to breathe.
Gives me energy that I never knew that I had.
Makes me feel taller after every class.
You don’t have to think – just do.
It stretches and strengthens every muscle and tendon in my body.
I’ve met two very good friends through yoga. I’ve also met many other great people that I enjoy seeing regularly at classes.
And I can’t leave out Savasana…who doesn’t LOVE that?
I hope that you stick with yoga…and return to your ‘Then and Now’ posts again soon!
January 12, 2017 at 12:35
Thanks, Donna. There are definitely many aspects I do like about yoga, which becomes “easier” and more enjoyable the longer you do it. I agree with the benefits you point out, especially the Savasana. When I went to the yoga studio, the Yin yoga was my favorite class. It feels really good to stretch the body. What I also like about yoga is that most people who practice (and teach) it are kind, balanced and peaceful human beings who care about the world.
January 12, 2017 at 01:56
So, I run (not very fast!) and yoga is a good complement to that. I do just a few poses after I have gone running. For whatever reason, I don’t really like yoga though…
January 12, 2017 at 12:37
Running and yoga sound like the perfect combination that pretty much covers everything. 🙂 I wish I liked running, but then again, I have bad knees, so that is a good excuse not to do it. I think yoga grows on you, the longer you do it. I just wish it was more fun. 🙂
January 12, 2017 at 06:14
I used to like doing Bikram yoga, but I haven’t done any yoga in a long time. It probably would be good for me as my body gets older and less flexible.
January 12, 2017 at 12:39
So many people swear by yoga. I do know it is really good for your body and mind and I truly want to get into it again, but I just wish I enjoyed it more. It is one of those things you really have to stick with – a bit against your will – and then, at some point, you understand the benefits, figure out the poses and start enjoying it more. At least, that’s how it felt when I started doing it in Panama. Now, it has been so long that I feel like I have to start all over again and that is what keeps me from doing full on sessions again, I think.
January 12, 2017 at 10:39
It is so good for the soul, mind and spirit….
January 12, 2017 at 12:40
Agreed! But first, you have to really commit to it. 🙂
January 12, 2017 at 11:46
I love the pictures of Herk joining in! Doga classes (where owners do yoga with their dogs) is becoming very popular and I have seen a few books about it :o)
January 12, 2017 at 12:41
Doga classes? Really? I had not heard of that. I know of friends doing it with their children in specific classes. Have you tried it with Pearl and Eivor?
January 12, 2017 at 13:44
You can check the literature on Doga on Amazon! :o) Eivor comes and stretches with me when I am warming up for cardio and Pearl likes to join me with Pilates exercises :o)
January 12, 2017 at 16:43
🙂
January 12, 2017 at 12:41
oh, my…. yoga on the beach! sigh! I have never tried yoga under supervision of a professional (just looking at a book and trying to do a few positions).
January 12, 2017 at 12:50
Great memories. I miss those palm trees and, while not always providing level ground, I did enjoy doing yoga on a towel in the sand. I started yoga with a friend and audio instructions for a year, but I think it is good to do at least a few classes with an instructor, who can tell you whether you do the poses correctly. I did quite a few incorrectly, because nobody never told me how to do them.
January 12, 2017 at 17:05
I’m on the fence about yoga. I love how it feels but I hate doing it. Haha. 🙂
January 12, 2017 at 17:16
I’m so glad I am not the only one struggling with the whole yoga thing! I just think certain body types are better with it than others (like mine). 🙂
January 12, 2017 at 17:16
Animals sure do add to the photos! You look like you know what you are doing though, and so does Herk! I think you’re going to miss him! I gave up my weekly Friday morning yoga “practice” over a year ago after I messed up my knee and since I teach classes Friday mornings. Yoga in the tropics sure does look good right about now!
January 12, 2017 at 17:24
I don’t think I have the right body for yoga, though. I am not agile at all and I don’t really know what I am doing. Or, it has been a while since I did. 🙂 We do miss the tropics, especially right now! Leaving Herk in 45 minutes or so. We will miss him… I”m so glad to know you have a doggie as well.
January 12, 2017 at 22:08
Yoga under palm trees seems like the perfect place to develop a long standing practice. I feel more relaxed for having seen your beautiful photos. I must say the photo of you and Herk made me laugh out loud. Looks like he is taking his yoga very seriously.
January 13, 2017 at 12:41
Herk’s owner might stick to the routine! She loved the photo of him doing yoga as well. 🙂 We are missing those palm trees. I guess they are the best enticement to do yoga again, if only it were warm enough outside, and we had a yard full of palm trees!
January 13, 2017 at 01:58
Yoga keeps me sane and flexible. My strategy is to incorporate yoga into my day to day life…I do it when waiting in lines, when waiting for meals, when there is a wall nearby, and mostly my bst, in nature…
The synchronized yoga photos outside are cool. Love the ones with poochie!
Peta
January 13, 2017 at 12:42
You look so fit, Peta and you have the right attitude about yoga. I just wish my body was more flexible. But, I can work on that by practicing yoga more often, of course. 🙂
January 22, 2017 at 04:33
Yes Yoga in the San Blas is the stuff that dreams are made of, but those pictures of you doing Yoga with Herk are priceless! Every time I have done yoga I have enjoyed it and felt better. I just find it really difficult to bring myself to the mat.
January 23, 2017 at 16:29
I have the same experience with yoga, Lisa. The palm trees (and an encouraging friend) helped, but now, I just don’t find the energy and desire anymore. But, yes, it always feels so good afterwards. 🙂