Last Wednesday was the summer solstice, the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Ancient pagans once celebrated the summer solstice as a day of healing and fertility. I did not join the yogis in Times Square to celebrate, but the day after I was invited to the CLAY Health Club and Spa for some fun in the sun. Lole had partnered with CLAY and brought us a wonderful yoga class in their beautiful rooftop in 95 degree weather (35 celsius!). I was afraid I was going to be the only crazy one going to do yoga outdoors during the heat wave, but I sure was not alone. We had a full house of brave yogis and yoginis ready to salut the sun and get an intense, hot workout from it.
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I felt great after the class! I’ve had a bit of a break from all exercise and my muscles were thanking me for this extreme stretching they received. My lungs were excited for all the deep breathing I did for the hour. Deep breathing is something I’m trying to include more in my days, since I’ve noticed that I tend to do shallow chest breathing as a result of being so tense and stressed without even always noticing it. As a result I’m not inhaling enough oxygen or exhaling enough carbon dioxide, which can have consequences such as fatigue, mental fog and decreased tissue function. I’m already doing deep breathing during my 5 minute morning meditation which I usually do on the train on my way to work. Another good way which I hope to start making a habit is a 30-minute walk, daily. Somebody please kick my butt!
“Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one’s being, from bodily health to self realization. Yoga means union – the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day to day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
This looks amazing! I can't believe you braved the heat!
xx
Donyel
with love from Mademoiselle Meese
Well I was thinking that since I do Bikram yoga, I can do this too. And at Bikram it is way hotter than it was that day. But it was so much more fun than being stuck in a yoga room! 🙂
Det ser bara sa härligt ut där uppe pa taket. Hälsosamma snacks ni fick. Men vad händer pa bilden där du har ansiktet inne i dynan? Är det massage eller en slags andningsträning? Borde pröva pa yoga.
Det var underbart sätt att utöva. Nej tak, bara (inte så) frisk luft och himmel ovan. Ja, det är massage de erbjöd efter klass för alla. Förutom ansiktsbehandlingar och vissa nyttiga snacks. Kan inte vänta med att göra det igen!
wow, my body is totally craving yoga right now and this is inspiring. thanks for the kick in the butt! xo.
No problem! 🙂 I'm so happy there are many FREE outdoor yoga and other exercise events around for most days of the week. I really couldn't afford to pay $20 for class right now so it's great they organize these classes all summer long! Time to get that rocking body! And peaceful mind.
I love your off the shoulder top, you look adorable. May I ask where you bought it? 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I actually have 3 of them. White, black and red-white striped. Soooo comfy. I got them online from alloy.com
Nice! This is what my little sister always wanted to experience – yoga on the rooftop. I’d love to join her as she is always inviting me to relax on our rooftop, but I can’t because I am always busy at work and I’m always taking care of my kids. I’m going to show this to her. I’m sure she’ll be more inspired and motivated to do what she has always wanted to do.
Rolf Matchen