Trust Me I'm a (mom)(yogi) RD

Do you ever feel like life is getting the best of you?  Maybe you're just "going through the motions;" getting caught up in events, work, schedules/routine, commitments...that you aren't really ENJOYING it?!  I truly hate to say it, but the above statement totally describes my lifestyle as of late.  Just when I feel caught up with work or responsibilities at home, something else always seems to comes up.  I love to be involved and be busy, but what I don't enjoy is being pulled in a million directions at once.  Sometimes I just need to GET AWAY.   Thankfully, the opportunity to do so presented itself a few weekends ago.  Dee and I (along with Eli, of course) were able to take a 3-day-weekend to Minneapolis for a nice family re-charge.  In typical Abbie fashion, I did have a personal agenda for visiting the Twin Cities.  This short trip not only allowed me to get away from my everyday schedule, but also to enhance my knowledge on topics I am so very p

Pranayama --> prana = “life force”;       yama = “restrain” or “to hold" For those of you who are new to yoga, or have never taken class before, 'Pranayama' is the Sanskrit term teachers use to reference “breath” or “breath-work."    For me personally, pranayama has been one of the most challenging pieces to work on as a student AND teacher, and has really taken me awhile to fully understand its importance.   When I first started attending yoga classes, my main motives were to experience a good workout, gain strength, increase flexibility, and of course—sweat.  I wanted a way to continue being active, while also somewhat engaging my dance background.  Boy was I wrong - there is so much more to yoga.  Throughout my beginner yoga experience, the first thing I noticed teachers saying in class was to "Focus on your breath."    Other phrases commonly used were "Notice your breath" or even ask class directly "Are you breathing?!"