Kundalini discovery

My kundalini yoga discovery is something pretty special I am feeling. My understanding of the practice needs to evolve but I am excited at the prospect of learning. Kundalini isn't like the flowing & positions of other yoga practices but more mindful I think & more mindblowing. & still physically challenging I found it energised my being & made my heart soar... 
Motions (kriyas) & asanas are repeated with breathing techniques that take you out of your comfort zone forming 'prana' (energy) so when you still yourself the buzz over your body is electrifying & truly inspiring. 
Meditation through movement is something I associate with my ultra marathoning, reaching peaks of power & feeling a primal connection with the earth. & kundalini has the same essence in the sense of natural elation & the awareness of oneself. With a few uncomfortable (pretty painful) parts of the process that also resonates with long distance running. 
Kundalini yoga has really made me want to find out more about my own spirituality & where I can go with it. & how having this consciousness can affect running. I am thinking a cosmic unity of training & I am hoping that my running will only be more improved by this new presence in my life. 

Yogi heaven

I'm into day 3 of my own yoga zen peace party. & wow what a truly beautiful experience I am having... My limbs are loving the yoga & massage, & I am loving the solitude & serenity. As I write I am listening to birds in the tropical trees & looking up at the beautiful blue sky, with a fresh papaya & cinnamon juice close by. 

My typical day goes a little like this...

6isham wake & meditate
7.30am sunrise hatha yoga 1 hour
8.30am kundalini yoga 11/2 hours
11.30am fresh fruit & breakfast with organic lemongrass & ginger tea made from the garden produce - amaze.
12-4pm sunbathing, reading, relaxing, snoozing, swimming, snacking on juice & nuts.
4pm afternoon yoga - either yin, ashtanga or today vinyasa Bhakti 11/2 hours
6pm massage, traditional Balinese bliss. (& maybes a little pain from all the miles & pounding my legs have been given in the past 10 years!)
8pm dinner of something fresh & veggie & more delicious tea.
9pm snooze..........

My vow is to incorporate yoga into my everyday back in the world of work days. My challenge is to find the time to fit in with ultra running training & my all day everyday job! My vision is to combine the two harmonious activities for rewarding fitness & mental agility. My blog will document my determination & dreams of superpowers... 

Beautiful Bali bliss

On my first day at the divine Desa Seni in Bali. Surrounded by the lushness of tropical trees, traditional art & trinkets, organic veggie patches, hot hot hot searing sunshine & clear blue skies, a warm breeze gives the palm trees a groove & sway, & my yoga flowed with strength & grace & I even felt confident enough to headstand (quite an achievement for my usually wobbly practice)I have a wonderful vibe for my week of relaxation ahead...
My breakfast of fresh fruit, organic rye bread & avocado. 
My lunch of delish gazpacho raw chilled soup. Healthy & happy food.
My afternoon will be spent sunning, yin restoration yoga & a crystal salt body scrub with a traditional Balinese massage. Smug, me? No. But I do feel like I found a little bit of heaven on earth.
Namaste beautiful peeps xox 

XXX Training & tiredness

After running my 50k race last Sunday week I have been doing lots of recovery & X training. Inspired & feeling fit I'm on a roll of stretching & strengthening. My training diary looks like this...

Thurs 15th : Pilates reformer + 10k running
Fri   16th : Pilates reformer + 10k running
Sat   17th : Ashtanga yoga + 1k swim
Sun   18th : Hi performance spin + 1k swim
Mon   19th : Pilates reformer + 13k running
Tues  20th : PT strength & interval + 8k running
Weds  21st : Ashtanga yoga + 10k running
Thurs 22nd : Hatha yoga + power yoga + 8k running

& tomorrow I will REST!!! 
& I'll be getting ready for my blissful Bali retreat =) 
bikinis packed, tanning lotion packed, pink yoga outfits packed, 'way of the peaceful warrior' book packed, pink chanel passport packed, excited & relieved that holidays are nearly here, peace xox

Dreaming of Bali...

Life. So full. My crazy busy job. My running/training. I want a holiday! Balmy beachiness & quiet relaxation, hot sunshine on my skin, morning swims & evening cocktails... 
BALI BABY! I leave for Desa Seni eco yoga retreat on Sunday. I CAN NOT WAIT! Set in the lushest of gardens, this traditional Balinese retreat has a daily yoga & meditation program, a spa for wellness offering massage, beauty & acupuncture. & with its very own organic farm the food is fresh & sustainable.
I feel like I need this break to recharge & stretch out & reinvigorate & bliss out before my worldly work travels take off & the next season at work begins (again!!!)
Peaceful dreaminess. & Balinese friendliness. & healthy heavenliness & holiday amazingness...

The Tan Ultra photos =)

                                          My first lap finish in 23 mins...

                                          Running strong for nearly 2 hours...

                                          Feeling the 4 hours of running - OUCH!!!

new runners for new run training...

Just going to enter my next race challenge - a 64k on the 30th November in Tasmania - the Bruny Island ultra...

So in anticipation of the action my feet will acquire over the next few months I've updated my nimbus (again!!!) Loving the little bit of pink design this time, thanks asics! 

I have worn this runner for at least 7 years. Yes I have read 'Born to Run', I know all about bare foot running & the perfect poise. & although I heel strike first & somewhat shuffle, I'm kinda happy with my running style. Injury free (touch wood) for most of my running years, I'm not going to change my footwear for fear of getting injured & I embrace the slower pace.

So how many miles will these little pink bunnies get through?? 
70k's a week x approx 10 weeks training = at least 700k's!!! 
& when I've done the run I'll update my same old/new asics nimbus once more..... Looking forward to clocking the miles in style =)