Cultivating My Inner Tree

I had a busy work day yesterday and was looking forward to yoga then a walk with Shiloh with Bob in the evening. Well, things sorta worked out that way. Tuesday I missed yoga ’cause I got a frantic call from a friend needing a ride to the hospital. Don’t ask. He’s fine, but the evening was shot. So, anyway, I was really looking forward to Weds night with “the family”.

 I did make it to yoga, which I desperately needed. My hands and arms were in good shape, but they’re definitely still affected by days of using my hand saw and shears. Yes, yesterday was one of those days. But, my hamstrings, upperback, IT-bands, and really the rest of my body (and mind) were much better for yoga class. Tonight I hope/plan to hit a flow class and try to get that back into my routine. It may depend on how strenuous today is — I’m doing big plant buys and have a client session on pruning, weeding and perennial divisions, so we’ll see…

And, the walk…well, when I went into yoga at 5pm the sky was grey but calm and dry. When I walked out at 6pm, it was raining. By the time I made it home and started dinner, it was spitting snowing raining. Then it was dumping hail. Then it was dumping snowing rain. Shiloh begged to go out in the hail. She ran to the bottom of the steps as I laughed, knowing she would immediately turn around to run back in when her tiny dog brain registered that she was being pelted with painful, frozen rain. Sure enough, she did what I predicted. And, poor girl, she didn’t get a walk on Weds. Today, though, she gets to ride with me in the truck all day on plant pick ups — a real treat for both of us. Who doesn’t dream of taking their dog to work?!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/26/2008
• Time: 17:00:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00

Went to restorative yoga, which is a beginner/restorative combo class. Lots of students who are progressing beginners were there, so the teacher worked on more difficult poses. Usually this is fine, but today I was hoping for something VERY restorative. My hands and shoulders are still tired. Anyway, class was good. We did a lot of shoulder openers, and I did a lot of adjustments to give my arms and hands a break. Glad I went. Am going to take Thursday off from flow class an will return on Sunday. My body needs a rest.

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/19/2008
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00

Had a great class that helped relieve some of the soreness and tension in my neck. I did, however, realize that my hands are pretty exhausted too. Even when using sharp, good quality shears and saws the ole paws’ll get tired after a lot of work. Mine are pretty well done in. Down dog was rough on them. Still, a great class. Glad I went.

Now I’m going to rub some arnica gel into my hands and wrap them around a warm cup of tea while I lounge about, perhaps taking a nap on the sofa before I go to bed. Sometimes that’s just the ticket!

Watch out rose hedge, I’ve got a set of shears with your name on them tomorrow!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/18/2008
• Time: 20:33:37
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Arms and shoulders are sore from doing so much hands-on gardening training. I’ve been doing about 2-6 hours of pruning & or digging a day for the last week. Add a few chatauranga to that & you’ll find me with a tight neck and shoulders. Today I did go to yoga, which was excellent. I also booked a 2 hour acupuncture and massage for next week. (Yes, I can hardly wait!). I held off on doing a lot of gardening work. I have a lot of client commitments and after pruning and transplanting in my own garden yesterday for several hours, I decided a day off of digging/pruning was a good idea.

I did get out and help my friend who is digging out to install his patio soon. I went waterfeature container shopping with another friend. And, we measured a patio area in our garden. I’ll be ordering about 5 tons of crushed rock, which we’ll be installing next weekend (and the week after probably). So, my sore body better buck up and get ready for some hard work. Hmmm…I may need to book more than one massage!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/16/2008
• Time: 15:58:39
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Got back to my past-usual Thursday night yoga. Different teach who I hadn’t studied with prior to last night. Her pace was slow, but the poses and overall class was difficult. I needed the challenge after being mostly off my practice for most of February. Even had to face my nemesis twisting triangle. Good overall practice. Looking forward to class on Sunday.

 Also, haven’t been logging it, but I’ve been doing loads of hands-on gardening sessions. Spending about 4 hours a day in gardens teaching, so getting lots of fresh air and exercise daily!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/13/2008
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

So nice to be back at it!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/12/2008
• Time: 18:00:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00

This morning we got up, got the kids off to school, rolled out our yoga mats and went through a practice together. I led a bit, but mostly got us started on flows that we did at our own pace. This means I got a good practice in for myself. It felt great!

Today its about 70 and sunny — a real treat — nearly as sweet as the slice of red velvet cake I enjoyed after lunch

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 03/03/2008
• Time: 09:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Tonight’s yoga class will be my last one at the studio for a few weeks. I was powerful tired going in after doing yoga yesterday & a lot of heavy garden work yesterday as well. Still, I worked hard and felt much better after class.

In a couple of days I head to Virginia to visit family and speak at the Maymont Garden Show. I also hope to meet, in person, a couple of fellow Sweat365 bloggers who live nearby.

Now, its time to pack!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 02/18/2008
• Time: 19:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 02/17/2008
• Time: 12:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Went early to the studio for my regular Weds restorative class. Got there early to help out the instructor by opening it as she was running late. Low & behold she was there already. This was fine. It meant I got a little extra time in my practice. I need all I can get. I’ve got a trip out of town coming that will mean my regular practice is going to be disrupted for a couple of weeks. Will have to push myself by myself during that time! For now, I enjoyed a great class!

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 02/13/2008
• Time: 18:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00