A Month in Books: January 2012

Seriously rough reading mojo this month. I put two books down, unfinished and the ones I finished, with a few exceptions, were pretty blah. However, The Night Circus saved me from giving up completely. It’s not a perfect book, but the blend of magic realism, history and romance was exactly what I needed to start climbing up out of my slump.

As always, links take you to my full review on Goodreads.com

A Year in Books: 2011

This yearly wrap up isn’t late! I’m working on a lunar calendar, so it’s right on time.

This was a good year for reading. My new commute to work has given me an extra 45 minutes of time to read, though the new smartphone does sometimes pose a distraction. I met my reading challenge for 2011 of 80 books and have set a new one of 86. In 2012 I’d like to branch out a bit more, read more non-fiction, some travel writing, and discover at least one new author with a deep backlist I can dive into.

So with goals reviewed and new goals set, here are the numbers for 2011. (Full spreadsheet here if you’re interested in that kind of stuff.)

The Toaster

I think everyone has that one kitchen appliance that they can’t live without: mixer, blender, microwave … For me it’s a toaster. No matter where I’ve lived, I HAVE to have a toaster. Before any other appliance, a toaster was the most necessary item in my kitchen. (I’m talking traditional toaster, not a toaster oven. I hate those and have an irrational fear that even letting one near my house will cause  spontaneous combustion. Irrational, I know.)

About a month ago, our little $9.00 toaster from Target died.

In abject panic, my immediate thought was to run out and buy a new one.  What was I going to do without my toaster???  Luckily, not having a car makes it tough to dash out and buy things. So I paused … and I remembered that I has just discovered the over broiler.  Unlike previous ovens, this one’s a bottom drawer that just so happens to be the perfect size and height for making toast!

Good-bye, toaster!  Hello, broiler!

One less gadget to store (in a kitchen with 2.5′ of counter space that’s awesome!) and the broiler is actually faster than the old toaster.  I’m still learning how to gauge time so I don’t end up with burned toast, but I think I’m in love.

Funny how, with a breath and some ingenuity, what seems like a problem turns into a wonderful new experience!

Rockstar Yoga

Backstory: wheel (the yoga pose) and I are nemeses. There’s a chasm of mistrust and pain between us. I feel that way about most backbends. (I’m a committed supported bridge girl.) Except flip dog. LOVE it. Some how, flipping my dog lets me feel the sense of lightness and flight that I think I should get from backbends.

So you can imagine my joy when I was introduced to “rock star” earlier this week (Adena’s 4:00pm class at yogapower in Waltham, MA). We came into the pose from side plank and I could feel my chest fall open, my shoulder blades move down and in … and I was grinning like a fool the entire time. Love at first pose.  So of course, I have to share my love and all my classes this week have incorporated rock star as a mid-way point for deeper backbends. Love rock star and I’m starting to reconsider my perspective on backbends in general.

Rockstar Yoga
75 minutes
(Much gratitude to Adena for inspiring this sequence!)

supported fish
roll to table top
cat/cow
opposite arm/leg extension, with optional bind
all-fours core (press toenails to mat, lift knees one inch – YIKES!)
downward facing dog
high plank
down dog
plank with knees down
lower to belly
cobra
all fours
down dog
three-legged dog
runner’s lunge
pyramid
(breathe lunge/pyramid three times, then repeat other side)
walk to front of mat
tadasana
om om om
vinyasa to down dog

dolphin

down dog
three-legged dog with hip opener
core plank
three legged dog
runners lunge
crescent lunge
tall twist
reverse twist
windmill down to plank
side plank
ROCKSTAR
vinyasa to down dog

three-legged dog
core plank
three-legged dog
warrior II
reverse warrior
half moon with optional bind
warrior II
reverse warrior
reverse triangle
triangle
prasaritta A/B
revolved triangle
utkatasana twist
dancer

half pigeon

(take mats to the wall and roll egde of mat in 3-4 times that’s closest to wall to provide knee padding)
quad stretch against the wall
lunge out from wall

(lengthen mat back out)

bridge/wheel at wall
supta baddha konasana
happy baby
inversion at wall
spinal twist
savasana, optional legs up the wall

Note: “Rockstar” and variations are also called “Wild Thing”.  Two names you cannot go wrong with in a yoga class!

A Month in Books: December 2011

December was a pretty standard mix of romance and mystery books. I finished the year strong with 84 books “read” (I put it in quotes because there were a handful of Did Not Finish) and have set my 2012 goal for 86 books.

My second annual Year in Books is coming up soon.  I always like seeing the breakdown of what I read, genres, etc… It’s an interesting retrospective and a fun way to remember the very good and the very worst books I came across in 2011.

To finish out the year, here are the books I read in December.  Links take you to full reviews on Goodreads.com.

2012: A Year of Flight

2011 was an incredible year. I learned so much, explored new places and ideas, and put down some new roots. I met a few of my goals, though not all, as life likes to throw those funny curve balls.

I explored more styles of yoga and attend some wonderful classes and workshops.  I am in better control of my finances with an emergency fund, a travel fund and a plan to pay off student debt.  Career goals were tougher, but I remain positive in the face of transition. As for fitness/wellness, I finished my first 5K, though not in under 30  minutes, and learned that I can run!

When thinking of my goals and resolutions for 2012,  I realized my yoga goals make a pretty awesome intention for the entire year. They all have one thing in common: FLIGHT.  In 2012 I want to figure out crow (bakasana) and headstand (sirsasana). Both poses require learning to lift off the ground and find flight and balance in space.  Both poses require a solid foundation and a trust that even if the foundation shifts, you can take a breath and try again. Sounds like a perfect theme for 2012 to me!

Thus, 2012 is THE YEAR OF FLIGHT.

YOGA
- Crow Pose: figure it out, get into it, and hold it for 3-5 breaths
- Sirsasana: figure it out, get into it, wall support is totally ok
- Continue to invest in my practice and my teaching by attending workshops and classes
- Commit to a home practice and complete a 30 day “home practice” challenge to set the habit

FINANCIAL
- Pay off 1/3 of my student debt by 12/31/2011
- Continue to build the travel fund (possible goal: Thailand in 20??)
- Become a more savvy budgeter (this includes actually creating a budget and having a “come to Jesus” with shopping)

CAREER
- Stay employed
- Own my new responsibilities and role in the library. This is a year for me to shine and become a resource and local expert for my colleagues

FITNESS/WELLNESS
- Continue to eat healthy, happily and safely (I really like that goal.)
- Work with a personal trainer to build a habit out of weight training and cardio

PERSONAL
- read more poetry and non-fiction
- be kinder to myself (positive self-talk and belief)
- learn to appreciate black coffee
- wear mascara 2 or less days a week

What are your goals and resolutions for 2012?

A Month in Books: November 2011

Got in a good mix of historical fiction, literary fiction, mystery, romance and sci-fi this month. My tendency is to go straight for historical mysteties or historical romances, but I’m trying to consciously branch out. Being part of a book club will help with this goal. Our first book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford was a big success.

Question for Perusers: are you part of a book club?  If so, what do you read? A specific genre or anything that looks interesting? How to do you choose what book to read next?

Strong Shoulders, Open Shoulders

This class was inspired by  fellow yoga teacher Michael Mann. The sequence that starts with the low lunge twist, through prasarita and the second dolphin/forearm balance prep is all Michael’s genius. I threw in the half bind for extra spice, but the heart of this goodness is all him. The flow below works great for a more advanced group, though it’s easily modified for a beginner group.

When working with shoulders I emphasize three major points:

1. shoulder blades on top of the back, accessing the serratus anterior muscles to keep the bottom tips of the shoulder blades tucked in, rather than winging out. (For a great write up on the serratus anterior, check out Sarah Court’s post on YogaDork.)

2. broad collarbones and an open heart.

3. knees down will build more strength than you can possible imagine. So get over yourself, get over your ego and stick you knees on the mat. (Yoga tough love.)

Strong, open shoulders are a key component to an open heart and chest. Let’s get opening!!

Strong Shoulders a la Michael Mann
Time: 90 minutes
Suggested music: Justin Bieber mashups and Passion Pit (::wink::)

table top
cat/cow
thread the needle
tuck toes & lift knees 2 inches (ABS!)
downward facing dog
down dog to high plank, hold plank
three legged dog
bend knee, open hip
core plank
three legged dog
step to low lunge
deepen lunge on inhale
exhale back to pyramid pose/hamstring stretch
pulse with breath four times
runner’s lunge
down dog

step to front of mat
tadasana
side stretch
intention setting
om om om

step back to down dog
dolphin with fingers interlaced
walk back to dolphin plank
child’s pose
down dog
three legged dog
core plank: right knee to outside of right elbow (maybe arm balance)
three legged dog
crescent lunge
eagle
airplane
crescent lunge
step back to plank
side plank
vinyasa

down dog
runners lunge
back knee to mat
modified twist with knee down 3 breaths
lift knee and open arms
half bind top arm
lift hips high and breath for 3-5 breaths
lift up to warrior II
reverse warrior
side angle
half/full bind
reverse warrior
triangle
prasarita A/B
walk hands around to back of mat and lunge into opposite knee
repeat standing sequence from runners lunge
walk hands around to front of mat

dolphin (forearms parallel to each other on mat)
forearm balance or little hops

active child’s pose (pressing hands to mat, drawing shoulder blades and hips back)
inchworm/puppy pose (anahatasana)
sphinx
prone shoulder stretch
locusts with block between ankles and hands interlaced
floor bow
table top
down dog
jump through to seated, roll to back
supported bridge/bridge/wheels for 20-25 breaths

supta baddha konasana
knees to chest
happy baby
rock n roll to down dog

half pigeon/double pigeon

inversion

supine twist

savasana

A Month in Books: October 2011

Only two months left in my Goodreads 2011 Reading Challege.  I set the goal back in January to read 80 books this year and I’m at 72 books.  Unless my reading mojo takes a complete nosedive, I should meet and maybe exceed my goal!

(Links take you to full reviews on Goodreads.com.)

2011 Gratitude Challenge

Alright Perusers & Peregrinators, it’s time for the 2011 Gratitude Challenge!  I’ll be switching it up a bit here and posting my daily gratitude on Twitter.  If you’d like to follow me there, I’m at @AbbyThompson.

I encourage you to join in this month of appreciation, either by posting your own daily thoughts on your blog, Twitter, Facebook or taking a quiet moment during the day to count the things you are grateful for. When you take the time to notice all the good around you, it’s amazing how that good increases.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy