Holy Yoga -- A Worship Experience

Last semester a yoga instructor gave a lecture in my World Religions class along with a yoga sequence. That small introduction to yoga planted a desire to try it out in my mind; however, I was reluctant, because 1) I had never before tried yoga and was afraid I would be terrible and look silly, and 2) I was unsure that I would be able to find a yoga studio that I felt comfortable with considering that many studios have a big focus on the religious side of things.

I did a little research, though, and found something called Holy Yoga, which Holy Yogis describe as "100% Jesus - 100% Yoga." I decided to go to a class (and forced my apartment mates to go along with me because I was a chicken) and found a seriously deep love for this practice immediately. No other place have I felt such a deep realization that I am loved exactly as I am -- literally right now as I set here writing this, a completely sinful human being, I am loved beyond measure. The session usually begins with a short "Bible study" like talk that the instructor gives, which much of the time focuses on loving yourself as you are, coming to the feet of Jesus as you are, and recognizing that worry, stress, self-loathing, and anxiety are not helpful things in overcoming trials in your life and in moving forward to being a better follower of Christ or having a closer relationship with our Creator.

I have only been practicing a few months, but already feel a calling to pursue this practice further, and maybe even look into becoming certified myself one day. We as Christians often hear that we should be worshipping the Lord in everything we do, and HY has truly helped me gain a more broad perspective on that -- not only every action we do and thing we say should be in worship to the Lord, but the very movement of our bodies can be an act of worship.

A big part of the experience in HY is that the practice is often accompanied by worship music, so I have compiled a short list of worship songs that I really enjoy listening to as I practice!

Power Flow

• Come Thou Fount -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wRw-dbmy8
• Forever -- Kari Jobe
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFra1mnIVE
• In Christ Alone -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4FBLH5n6IU
• Manifesto -- The City Harmonic
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_6JQDsbtlM
• Pieces -- Andrew Belle
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S6g3pEw8uU
• Heart Beats -- Johnnyswim
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhg-kycwLnE

Restorative Flow

• How Deep the Father's Love -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1aeehlfpr4
• Oceans -- Hillsong
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs
• Shady Grove -- Takénobu
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyjZ1_4c_bk
• You Know Me -- Bethel Music & Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVlMQved8k
• Jesus Paid It All -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM6ZtLnRBTk
• How He Loves -- Will Reagan & Laura Hackett
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZU5tA3x8MQ

Here's to a healthier mind, body, and soul. 

HG

Saying No

One of the most significant factors in my level of anxiety/stress throughout the year (but especially the school year) is my inability to say "no."

A friend of mine made a post of Facebook about chronic stress and how to overcome it. Some of the tips included making time to meditate, work out, eat healthy, and spend time with loved ones -- all of which are truly helpful ways to overcome stress during busy times in your life. However, there was one tip that stuck out to me more so than the others: "Just say no."

Sound pretty easy, and for a lot of people, it is. Some people were born with the ability to prioritize and discern how much they can or cannot handle. Aaaaand then there are some people who were not. I am one of those people.

I love saying yes to people. I love knowing that someone trusted me enough to ask me to do something and I love knowing that I am capable of fulfilling the task. But most of all, I REALLY love doing the things I commit to. I teach music classes, lead worship, help in coordinating music lessons for homeless children, and get to be involved in awesome organizations that work towards the growth of knowledge through music, among other things. I am a part of some truly amazing things, and I love doing them all.

And that's where my problem comes in -- how do I say no to any of those things? How can I possibly give up anything that makes such a different in the lives of people?

I have said "yes" to too many things this year, and I have learned so much about myself in doing so. I have realized that I would much rather do a few things well than several things at 50%. I currently may be involved in tons of wonderful organizations, but the fact that I am only able invest myself partially in any one of them is not only exhausting to keep up with, but much less fulfilling for me.

This coming year, I may be faced with a lot of amazing opportunities to be a part of some great groups, organizations, and possibly even jobs, but I know that I will also need to make the tough decision to say no to a few of them. Saying no will be a good thing for me to learn -- not only will I find more fulfillment in what I do, but I know that I will be a stronger asset to the organizations I commit fully to.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

One of my biggest excuses for buying less than healthy groceries (i.e. ramen) is that unhealthy foods are SO. MUCH. CHEAPER.

And they are.

Well, sort of. If you're going with bulk ramen, maybe.

However, if you're trying to eat healthier, it is totally possible to go shopping and have a cart of food you can be pretty proud of without feeling like you've just sold your firstborn child. The key is (at least for me) not getting sucked into buying things like that $10 bottle of I-don't-even-know-what's-in-this-but-it-looks-healthy-juice (or snack food that's gluten free, vegan, and dairy free....). Sticking to fresh produce is a really good way to stay within a decent price range. I've compiled a short list of healthy foods that are just as cheap as that 4-pack of macaroni and cheese that looks way tempting:

• Brown Rice. Brown rice is great, in moderation, as a side or base for things like chicken, beans, and salsa. A 1 pound bag costs less than $2 usually, which makes it about cents a serving.
• Whole Wheat Pasta. Again, to be eaten in moderation. You can buy a a box for less than $2, which makes it about 24 cents a serving. 
• Whole Wheat Bread. I'm not a huge fan of bread, but if you're in a hurry, a quick sandwich full of lettuce, tomatoes, and sprouts can be great. Usually you can find it for less than $3, which makes it about 20 cents a serving. 
• Non-Fat Yogurt. Non-fat yogurt is great for breakfast or for a snack. I prefer to get the plain kind, because it doesn't have the added sugars and flavors, but I will usually add some frozen blueberries and granola, with maybe a little drizzle of honey. Buying the larger container rather than the individual packets is much cheaper, as well. If you buy a larger container, it's about 50 or 60 cents per serving. 
• Oats. Oats are a great breakfast item to make as oatmeal with fruit on top and can also be used to make really wholesome muffins. A container costs about $4, making the serving size cost around 13 cents each. 
• Spinach. Cheap, healthy, chock full of nutrients. A bag costs about $2. 
• Black Beans. A can costs about $1.50. They go great with brown rice, too! And really, any bean is a great source of protein for MUCH less than meat. 
• Edamame. Yummy. Delicious. Fun to eat. It's a great snack and costs about 60 cents a serving -- under $2/package normally. 

Another tip that I have for my OKC peeps (and those with a nearby Sprouts market) is that on Wednesday, Sprouts doubles up their "on sale" items -- lasts weeks "on sale" is still going on, and the next weeks is starting. So you have double the amount of items of sale. I definitely make Wednesday my groceries buying day for that reason!

There are so many healthy foods that you can buy on a budget, these are just a tiny, tiny portion of those. There are tons of great lists/articles that have been put together by awesome people who also know the struggle of wanting to eat healthfully, but are on a budget. Here (http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=83_cheap_healthy_foods_for_meals_in_minutes) is one that I particularly like!

Feel encouraged! You got this!!

HG

A Healthier Me -- Beyond the Body

My name is Hannah I am a sophomore music major (with psychology, business, and child advocacy minors). I decided to create this blog on a whim today in an attempt to force myself to begin my journey to a healthier lifestyle. I, for a long time, have been wanting to do a "life-detox". Over the past two years of college, I have become a fairly unhappy person -- mentally, physically, and spiritually. A lot of this is just due to my stress and anxiety levels which have really come to a head in the fast-paced environment of the music school at which I attend. Another reason is the excuses I have made that, until now, I have let myself believe are legitimate excuses. For example: I'm too tired to work out, run, make a healthy meal, etc.; I don't have to time to work out, run, make a healthy meal, etc.; I'm too poor to buy "healthy" food, it's so much cheaper to buy food that's bad for you.

But as of right now, I'm deciding that those excuses are lame and not really even true. Where there is a will, there's a way.

My hope is that this blog will document my honest progress over this summer for encouragement for myself, as well as others who may be having the same struggles (whether you're in college, high school, graduated -- whoever you are and wherever you may be in your life), as well as provide helpful tips to help other students/busy workers/parents, etc., who may be extremely busy/on a tight schedule.

My goals are:

1. To lose the nearly 30 (ouch, yes 30) pounds that I have gained over the last two years. I would love to lose all of it over the summer before school starts again next semester (Fall 2014); however, I want to do it in the healthiest way possible, so if I don't reach it by mid-August, then I would like to reach it by the end of next semester (December 2014). I'm planning on spending this summer practicing yoga nearly every day, doing cardio 5 or 6 times a week, and eating clean. 
2. To cleanse my mind and soul. I am planning on getting a 6 month unlimited membership to a yoga studio this summer and, in addition to regular cardio, I would like to go to yoga 5 or so times a week. Yoga is a practice that I have found recently and have fallen in love with it. I would love to grow my practice and at the same time become physically more healthy, and mentally learn to better deal with my anxiety through this. 
3. Grow closer to the Lord. One excuse that I have made for spending less and less time with Jesus is that I don't have enough time. Well, that's a terrible excuse and it's ending. I miss my quiet time with the Lord and am excited to spend more and more time with Him strengthening my spiritual walk and growing nearer to Him. 
4. To embrace me. I have grown to dislike myself so much over the last two years -- I mean, I've gained so much weight and my face is broken out and my anxiety is through the roof! Now is my time to learn to love myself no matter where I am in life and know that I am loved by my Creator as I am and that he makes me whole, no matter what. 
5. To love myself. One thing I've neglected, as well, is taking the time to care for myself. Not just by working out and eating healthier, but taking the extra time to pamper myself and paint my nails, soak in the bathtub, and do my makeup. It's important to spoil yourself sometimes. 
6. To run a half marathon. In OKC, we are about to have a marathon that benefits the Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum, which was created after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building. The run will happen in just a few weeks, and a year from then, I would like to be running in the half marathon, a new me. 

I hope that posting this on the internet for the world to see will give me the push I need to do the hard thing (I mean, it would be awfully embarrassing to post all of this and never get around to it, right?).

Here's to a healthier mind, body, and soul.

HG