YogablissSeptember 29, 2010

Visions of grandeur danced across my imagination this morning. I wanted so badly to bring you a fitness post full of all kinds of bells and whistles. I had it all worked out in my head: me in a gym doing traditional gym exercises. Dumbbells, weight machines, and elliptical trainers were all tied into this lovely production.

See, I figured you may be sick of me waxing and waning poetic about yoga and all that it is to me. But the more I started to think about it, the more I realized that I can’t please all of the people all of the time. I am an exercise and fitness freak who happens to have a passion for Bikram Yoga that runs very deep.

Some days I get sick of it and want to run or go to the gym or just do plyometrics, but most days it’s all about the yoga. So I’m skipping the production that would have been fake anyway and bringing you the real deal, as I do every day. Here’s the latest and greatest from the yoga challenge:

There are a few downfalls to doing intense yoga for 30 days straight. My knuckles are enduring painful carpet burn from some of the postures in the standing series.

I'm feeling a little apprehensive about this. As my body opens up to yoga, my hands look more and more like those of a miner, brick mason, or stone cutter.

As I am blissed out doing amazing opening poses that challenge my body in unimaginable ways, my knees get huge callouses on them - I look like I've been in a few bar fights. Once again, the opposition of appearances and facts are clear.

Why am I doing this challenge again?

I inhale bottles of water like air throughout most of my days and nights to keep me hydrated during the 1 1/2 hours of class when you technically shouldn't be drinking during any of the poses. It can be tough for the willpower...

But brings a creeping smile to my face imagining the sense of accomplishment making it through! And then afterward...

Yes. 34 fluid ounces of a simple liquid that transforms to the nectar of the gods after a serious workout.

And then the apprehension for it all falls away. The love-hate relationship with the toughness and the movement and the thirst and the sweat transforms into nothing but sheer yogabliss.

And tomorrow, we do it all again.

QUESTION:
What forms of exercise give you bliss?

 
  • http://www.heathersdish.com Heather (Heather’s Dish)

    you are just so gorgeous :) i love walking and weight training…the feeling of being strong, accomplishing something, and feeling powerful are the things i love about exercise!

  • http://topsy.com/missfitbliss.com/2010/09/29/yogabliss/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention missfitbliss » Blog Archive » Yogabliss — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ActionJoJo, Joslyn Chandler. Joslyn Chandler said: New Post: Yogabliss http://fb.me/ISYgYze5 [...]

  • http://www.missfitbliss.com joslyn

    Thank you so much Heather! You are gorgeous too – I love when you post pics of yourself on your site:)) I agree with the walking, it is one of my favorites. Somehow just covering distance, no matter how long, makes me feel extremely accomplished.

  • http://www.aliveinthefire.blogspot.com Rachel (Alive in the Fire)

    This is adorable. Love the progression.
    Keep it up, girly!

    And you drink that nectar of the gods after class!! Man, I love VitaCoco…

  • http://www.opthamologistguide.com opthamologist

    Thanks for taking the time to make this post, it was a good read

  • http://40apples.wordpress.com/ Lauren @ 40Apples

    Wow. That is so amazing you’re doing the 30-day Bikram challenge. so much respect, girl!!
    yoga is, absolutely, my bliss. it’s brought me more gratitude and love than I could’ve ever imagined…

  • http://wheres-the-beach.blogspot.com/ Heather (Where’s the Beach)

    I love lifting weights. I used to be all about cardio, but now I enjoy weights more. I think you should do what you enjoy or you won’t stick with it first and foremost. But I also think cross training is good too and helps keep me from getting bored.

  • http://arsenalfamily.wordpress.com La.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE to run when it is cold out. I got another yoga DVD. I think I’m getting my flexibility back…. really after only doing it a few times!

  • http://crispandverdant.wordpress.com Danielle

    yogabliss – I feel like I could meditate on that word alone and achieve a clear-mind state :)

  • http://www.highonhealthy.wordpress.co. highonhealthy

    Yes! Keep writing what YOU truly want because when you do, it shines through in your writing. When people write about things they truly care about it shows and makes it more enjoyable for the writer AND the reader.

    Running gives me bliss but I’ve been in a bit of a rut with it for the past 2 months.. right now doing my strength training DVDS is what’s making me happy. :)

  • http://www.missfitbliss.com joslyn

    Thanks so much for the encouragement! I’m learning more and more how to open up and really address my passions through blogging;)

  • http://www.thefitnessdish.com Laury @thefitnessdish

    you are adorable! So vibrant, glowing and gorgeous! You are right, you can’t please everyone all the time. Thats something I am guilty of trying to do…but it’s impossible! Post what you love, your passion is what keeps us coming back!

  • http://www.missfitbliss.com joslyn

    Thank you Laury! I really do appreciate that!

  • http://agirlandhermutt.com Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt

    If yoga can make people glow as much as you, sign me up. Actually, I love yoga, but I always find myself wishing I practiced more.

  • http://www.thedietbookjunkie.com Angela (the diet book junkie)

    i’ve been looking EVERYWHERE for coconut water and can’t find it!!! usually i don’t drink anything but water and coffee, but i’ve read such good things about it!

    yeah, and running definitely gives me bliss. it’s weird to me….i’ve been doing it for so long now, yet i’m nowhere near sick of it! guess i just found my love :)

  • http://hannahjustbreathe.wordpress.com Hannah

    Oooooh, what a lovely post! Such beautiful pictures, such a happy, smiling face by the end. You just keep on keeping on, missy. All challenges do end. :)

  • http://www.simplyfitsimplyclean.wordpress.com Natalie @ simplyfit. simplyclean.

    I want your hair and skin. Beautiful.

    And now I’m going to do a sun salutation I learned in class to feed the yoga need after reading this post.

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