HUNT

1) to chase or search for for the purpose of catching
2) to pursue with force
3) to search for; seek; endeavor to obtain or find
4) to search thoroughly
5) to scour in pursuit of game

My New Year's Resolution of running five 5k's has caused me to keep an eye out for any and every fun, active events in my area. 

A few weeks ago I was shopping at Lululemon and they told me about their 4th Annual Adventure race. The premise is as follows: 

"Celebrate our local downtown studios and community with a multi-stop, high adrenaline foot race. Teams will be sent on a wild trek through [South Lake Union] and visit a variety of our participating studios. At the studios, instructors will lead teams through a 5 minute workout showcasing what they do best. Celebrate the finish with refreshing drinks, tasty eats and high fives..."

HOW FUN, right!? How often is your workout a scavenger hunt?! Well it ended up being fun -- but WAY harder than I imagined. My girlfriends and I made a few wrong turns in our hunt, sweated like crazy through the stunning 90 degree day, and burned some major calories (which were replenished with Whole Foods catered food and the highly coveted cold beer). We started with a cross-fit workout, then went to barre, yoga, two bootcamp workouts, and ended with an ab series...running in between each workout...

Despite the fact that this was much more physically demanding than I initially imagined -- I would definitely do it again and I am looking forward to next year's adventure. Until then, I will continue to keep my eyes open for another fun and out of the ordinary activity -- I am on the HUNT!

STICK

1) to remain attached by adhesion

2) to hold, cleave, or cling

3) to remain persistently or permanently
4) to remain firm, as in resolution, opinion, statement, or attachment; hold faithfully, as to a promise or bargain

Four years ago I tried bikram for the first time. It was suggested to me by my physical therapist as I was wrapping up treatment. At the time my ankle had freshly healed from a flip flop accident, which resulted in a fractured bone and two torn tendons. I was itching to exercise -- me, not the runner me, wanted to run. I wanted to get my heart rate up, to challenge my body, to work out again in some full capacity. So, "give hot yoga a try" he said. 

My physical therapist told me that hot yoga would do more for my weak muscles and healing tendons than anything else. I would get a cardio workout, while strengthening and toning my muscles. You know when you get the feeling something is too good to be true? Well I got that feeling -- but I was wrong. 

It was true. Hot yoga absolutely blew my mind. The workout was incredible and left me feeling exhausted, refreshed, and wanting to stick to it. AND for first time students at Hot Yoga Inc., you could try 10 classes for $10? An amazing workout at an incredible price?! Wow. 

Unfortunately, once I wrapped up my 10 classes -- I found out that hot yoga was way too expensive for a poor college student to afford. So we broke up, but not a day went by when I didn't think about getting back to it.

Luckily this January, Groupon came to my rescue (as it always does!): twenty classes for $20 at the same studio (different location) where I first tried bikram. I believe in serendipity -- and this was most definitely a serendipitous moment! I was SO happy to get back into the flow, so much so that before my classes ran out I signed up for monthly unlimited, and I haven't looked back. 

Practicing hot yoga has changed me, without a doubt. I can see (and I have had others tell me they see it too) a physical difference in my body. I  see toning that I have not seen from any other workout. I can feel a difference in my mental strength. I feel that my mind is willing to push as much as my body is. I feel like I want to stick to whatever challenge I am facing, to persist and to succeed. I have found the combination of both mental and physical strength to simply be still, and to find inner peace. In moments of chaos, I know how to settle my soul. And most importantly, I find that I am constantly humbled in my practice. 

My practice was also changed when I purchased "The Mat" from Lululemon. This mat is the most expensive one they sell -- but it is worth every penny. "The Mat" is sticky (and heavy!), so you do not have to use a towel and it wicks away sweat while you are practicing (you can see a crime scene outline of my body from shavasana, and it will disappear by the time I am in eagle). With this mat I can actually feel like a warrior, when I am in my warrior series. Cleaning is simple, with baking soda and water or lemon and water. So simple, yet such a game changer. 

I really can't say enough positive things about hot yoga. I am so thankful I have a studio I love, where I want to constantly challenge myself in each class to STICK.