Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Getting my 'OM' on at Some.Yoga.Studio

After a very long winter, stuck inside the house, binge watching on Neflix, and having laundry being my only source of a workout, I was way overdue for good stretch and mind clear. So, I was super excited when I received an invite to try out Some.Yoga.Studio located in Somerville.

Some.Yoga.Studio

Our instructor, Lisa a former 9-5 employee, made the transition to owning her own small business and doing what she loves- yoga and helping people find their inner ‘om’. Unlike the typical yoga studio (ahem, just about every studio in Boston where you barley have enough space to put your mat down, let alone do actual yoga poses), Some.Yoga.Studio is located right inside a house, which allows an intimate space of around 12 people to practice their yoga poses, allow 1 on 1 time with Lisa and even space for wall poses (if you’re brave to try those out!).

Studio ready to go

Water pyramid- you may not wan to grab one from the bottom!

I entered into Some.Yoga.Studio feeling very welcome and at home and ready to get back into my yoga poses. Yoga mats, towels and blankets were all ready laid out for us, so nothing was needed on my end. Even water was stacked in a pyramid, ready when needed. Before the start of each class, we were all introduced to each student, a nice way to get to know everyone.

The evening’s class was Vinyassa Yoga, otherwise known as continuous flow yoga, with only a few breaks in between. What I love most about yoga is that you can always do it at your own pace and take breaks when needed.

Unlike most other yoga classes where you listen and flow to chanting music and sounds of the ocean, at Lisa’s class, we were moving and grooving to the music of The Bee-Gees to Bruno Mars, the music really kept me going the extra mile, even as my body was ready for quick break.

During the middle of our yoga session, we had the opportunity to try out some wall poses. During my peak years (eons ago), I was able to do these quite easily, this time around; I hung back and let the other yogis do their thing.
 
Wall poses! Photo by Lisa

Wall poses! Photo by Lisa

After an hour an ten minutes of continual flow (and lots of child poses for breaks), and lots of sweat and “omg, are we done yet?!” (in a good way, of course) , it was my favorite time of the yoga practice- Savasana, or final resting pose where you lie on your mat or with a blanket and let your body cool off. Like I had mentioned before, Lisa works 1 on 1 with you, critiquing your poses and showing alternative ways for stretch you body. During this Savasana session, I was happily surprised with a foot and shoulder massage, as well as, a lavender scented eye mask, my favorite scent.
 
Lavender scented towels~

Feeling relaxed 
After class was over, body stretch out and feeling great, there was one more surprise for each student, a banana for potassium and a Gerbera Daisy with a little note- some yoga. some city. some kindness. pick one and pass along. #somekindness.

 
Bananas

#somekindness 

I’ve been to many yoga classes at many different studios, but I can hands down say, this was by far my favorite class I’ve had in a long while. The atmosphere, the intimate setting of a small class and the above and beyond extras by Lisa really make Some.Yoga.Studio a truly one of a kind studio to attend.

This summer you can catch Lisa teaching yoga every Saturday morning at Assembly Row! All you need is you mat, some water and sunscreen! What more could you ask? Did I mention the best part; it’s all free right next to the water! Seriously, what are you waiting for?


Do you have a favorite yoga studio you love to practice at?

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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Finding Myself…Yet Again

364.

364- the number of days since I had an actual job.

I guess you could say I was naïve, to think that nothing would actually happen to me, I could never get fired. No way. I may not like this job, but I get all my work done, so they couldn’t fire me. I may show up a bit late because essentially I have nothing to do, but I always stay a bit late, so I can’t get fired. I may be looking for another job opportunity, but there’s no way I’d be without a job.

That’s exactly how I thought, until May 2nd, 2014, when I walked into work and was laid-off on the spot 10 minutes later. I wasn’t that shocked when it happened, I felt something coming I just couldn’t put my finger on when it was going to happen.

At first, not having a job was rather fun- hey, I get the summer off, I get unemployment, plenty of time to find another job, this is great!

Cut to today, unemployment is gone, money is dwindling by the day, I still don’t have a job and I’m starting to fall apart from the inside out. Like the Friends theme song, we’ve all had those days, weeks, months and even some years, but living in the same bubble everyday without a chance of it bursting really takes a toll on everyday life.

Image via

Stuck in a bad cycle of job searching, not enough experience in a certain area, needing x amount of years of work related knowledge, and rejections letters, it’s been challenging trying to get out of this rut and look on the positive side of the world. The worst part about being in this cycle of rejection is how I feel when I’m running in circles, the feeling like I can’t do anything right, the feeling of will I ever feel good again, and the worst feeling of not wanting to do anything else because in my mind, “I don’t have a job, so I can’t do anything else until I have a job in place”.

Hence the main reason I’ve been silent in my little blog world for so long. I loved going to networking events and meeting new people and exploring about new opportunities. However, it was getting embarrassing telling people I didn’t have a job, that I was looking, that basically I’ll do anything for a job, and the conversation ends, mostly by me since I really don’t have anything more to say. I used to be able to talk to anyone, feel confident about what I was saying and more importantly, feel confident about what I was writing about.

Also, going to these events kept making me think about what other people would do if they had this much time off- would they find a job quickly, would they create their own blogging empire or create new alliances for a new opportunity, or would they sit and worry everyday about what will happen next, like me? 


Around the same time I was getting my last paycheck, a little cat named Sara was being dropped off at the animal shelter, as her owner could no longer take care of her. What usually is a quick stay at the shelter before being adopted, for Sara, the shelter has been home for the past year. 

Being dubbed “Sassy Sara”, Sara had been very difficult to deal with; she swatted at every chance she had, growled at anyone who gave her the time of day and hissed when you gave her food. Sara wasn’t what you would call “adoption material”, she wasn’t the cutest, she wasn’t the most affectionate and for that, Sara’s been passed over many times. It's not that she didn't want a forever home, it was that she was scared about what may happen next. 
 
Sara The Cat
I admit Sara made me a bit hesitant whenever I tried to go near her cage and feed her or change her litter. I usually stayed away from her, but so didn’t everyone else. One morning, I decided to spend some time with her; she wasn’t exactly excited over the idea of someone invading her personal space, but she seemed content with me visiting her. It took some time, and some swatting, to get into her little circle of trust, but we managed to start a relationship where I come to visit her and give her some much-needed attention, and in return, I’m rewarded with head-butts, purring and hand nudges for more petting (something she would never do just a few months ago).

Why am I telling you about Sara? Because she’s still at the shelter looking for her forever home, (and as much as I’d love to adopt her, she and Topanga would never get along), as I’m still waiting by the computer waiting for my career. She may not have a voice, but Sara speaks loud and clear that she wants a home and I’m speaking out loud and clear that I want a career…and my life back.

Recently, I was able to find a part-time job as a hostess, not the most glamorous job, but something to get myself back on track and getting the willpower to get to where I want to be and where I want to go. 

I think I can honestly say, I’m getting close to being back to my little blogging world, I’m feeling confident to get back out there, tell my story to others and find that career. If I can find my career, Sara can find her home and that’s exactly what I plan on doing, helping her, helping me.

And when I start to feel down and just want to quit, I think of this quote by none other than Joe Dirt.


"No man, you gotta keep going. What am I gonna do, quit? That's not an option. You gotta keep on keepin on. Life's a garden, dig it and you make it work for you. You never give up man, that's my philosophy."     – Joe Dirt



 Me and Sara got this, let the journey of our new lives being, will you be joining us?



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