So I did 11 days of Project 21. I pulled my neck last Monday and had to stay home from work. Todd stayed home to help me move around (yes, it was pretty bad...I could not move my neck in any direction. Just holding it up hurt.) Thanks to some muscle relaxers, I was back at work on Tuesday. I have taken an entire week to rest, and I made it back to yoga today!
So Level II started last Thursday. The first meeting was on Wednesday, and it was great to see old friends from the Level I group and meet some new people. Yea! OK, let me introduce you to the Level II challenges. :)
6 days of yoga per week
Meditation twice per day
Healthy foods and a journal to keep track
Reference the 40 Days book from level I
Read A Complaint Free World
Read Three Minute Meditations
Journal about different topics each week
So tomorrow will be the end of week 1 (the theme is PRESENCE). Here's how I did:
1 day of yoga (due to neck issues)
1 meditation (5 minutes) - well...this is a real challenge for me. I will work on it during week 2.
My food journal is actually showing me that I will ALWAYS indulge if sweet are available (ie- today's cakeball and LARGE Celebrity Bakery cookie (shaped like a wedding dress...super cute), along with student birthday m&m cookie from JD's Chippery (I ate 1/2...I always save some for Todd, although clearly, I didn't need the 1/2). I do consciously choose healthier options most of the time. It's a good challenge to have to write it all down. I don't want to write burger and fries, and I feel good writing sushi or salad or fish.
I read all of A Complaint Free World this weekend...it is pretty inspiring! It challenges us to go 21 days without complaining or gossiping. As you know, I'm a teacher. Gossiping is hard to escape. So I put on a bracelet (my nephew Nathan made one for me for Christmas - it says "See light in the darkness. Love, Nathan" - perfect!) and every time I complain out loud, I move it to the other wrist. Join me and try it out!
The book is a very fast read, and I really like the message it sends. There are stories to read about others who have been successful with the challenge. Anyway, I highly recommend this to everyone.
We wrote in our journal about:
5 things that have changed in my life since I started yoga.
What I complain about.
I'll post about those later.
I like the meditation book, but I am not done with it yet. It's good so far though...and I am determined to bring meditation into my life!
The presence theme...being present for others does take some effort. I spent the weekend in Austin with some girls at a friend's bachelorette party, and we had a great time! I think I was present for the girl of honor. :) Todd took me on a date last night. We had a nice dinner at Avanti on McKinney and were present for one another there. I try to be present for my students at school. Although, it's really easy to want to ignore half of what 12 year olds say...I won't lie. Not that it's all dumb stuff...but lots of silly stuff, for sure. :)
Man, an ant just bit my arm. (as I move my bracelet because typing is basically saying something out loud- you can "hear" me)
OK, goodnight!
