Month: March 2017

Surfing is for everybody

Last year, I wrote a blog post on how yoga is for everybody and to not let expensive products and clothing stop you from trying yoga. I still believe this, and now I am applying it to surfing.

I tend to surf in Santa Cruz where there is a lot of localism. If you aren’t sure what localism is, click here to read local surfer Toan’s surf blog as he explains it well. 

I have experienced the localism. I have been laughed at for my board and my wetsuit before. It is not unlike a yoga studio making their yogis feel unwelcome. All I could think of is all the surfers that have stopped surfing and all the yogis that have stopped practicing because of these negative experiences.

This fear of being ridiculed could potenitally stop someone from surfing, which I think is just terrible. Surfing has changed my life for the better and I want everyone to have that experience.

So, I’m here to say to all the surfers and wannabe surfers, go ahead and buy the products you want. Buy the board you want, buy the wetsuit you want. Be strong and live your life, you only get one.

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

I’m not a girl, not yet a woman? 

Cue Britney Spears! Recently, actress Mayim Bialik released a video on how society needs to stop describing women as girls. Click here to watch the video if you haven’t seen it.

She states that using the phrase “girl” instead of “woman” is demeaning, and I agree with here. For example, I don’t want to be viewed as a girl at work for that connotation states that I need a parent and/or I am childlike. I am a woman at that can manage workloads on my own. This type of language is also used in sports as I am deemed a “surfergirl”, which most take as a compliment.

But then I started thinking, I don’t feel like a woman. I don’t feel like a girl either. I feel truly inbetween just like that Britney Spears song.

During my yoga session I couldn’t stop thinking about why I feel inbetween girlhood and womanhood. Then, I thought again about Mayim Bialik’s video. She says its all about how we use “girl” in everyday language. How many times have I said “girls weekend” or “dinner with the girls” or its just “girl talk”? These are women I am talking about with careers, families and responsibilities. No wonder I don’t feel like a woman, since I am part of the problem.

From now on, I use the word “woman”, and maybe it will help me feel more like a “woman” than a “girl”.

~Namaste 

Scrappy Yogi 

Modifications in Surfing: A Yogi Prospective

Modifications are a common practice in yoga, especially when poses are too difficult or too strenuous on the body. Having practiced yoga for so long, I’m used to the idea of modification, that my practice is not going to be perfect, and modifying can create a positive yoga experience. When it comes to surfing, the whole idea is the perfect wave with perfect conditions. No modifications required, right? Well, I think I found one.

Recently, I got a new Retro Noserider Paragon Surfboard. She’s beautiful! 9 feet and old school; perfect for little waves and lazy summer days. She’s quite different from my other board, which is 7 feet 8 inches, and I have had my other board for a year. We know each other, and when I surf, I’m a part of my board.

I could not wait to try out my new board in the ocean, but then there was an interesting realization. I haven’t surfed on this big of a board since Maui. I don’t know the board yet, and will I even be able to surf?

A couple of my surfer buddies were going to our local break, so I decided to head on down with my new board. Once I arrived all suited up, I realized the wind was making some very choppy conditions. By the way, I loathe choppy conditions. It doesn’t make surfing that fun.

As I looked for my entry to the ocean, I couldn’t find an easy path.  With my surfer buddies egging me on to try, I finally had a realization. I can modify this experience to a positive one. Just like in yoga. I knew of a different entrance to the ocean, where it is not as intense, and walked down that way. I’m sure some surfers would tease me for this change, but honestly, I don’t care. It’s my surf life.

I had a great day trying out my new surfboard. It wouldn’t have been such a great experience if I had not remembered my yoga practice.

Readers, what have you modified in life to create a more positive experience? Also, I have started up a Scrappy Yoga Instagram, follow me @ScrappyYoga to see more pics of yoga gear, ocean waves, and surfboards.

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

 

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Random Writings: Water

I have been thinking a lot lately about water. Whether that be drinking water, ocean water or the rainy forecast; the topic has been swirling. I guess what started this random thinking about water was this work week.

This week has been particularly stressful. Long days, lots of emails and lots of project deadlines. Tuesday was the longest day this week and all throughout the day my co workers kept offering me water. I kept refusing since I had my own bottle (see pic above), but then it got me thinking: maybe I don’t drink enough water?

Honestly, it is a struggle to try to remember to drink enough water and I knew once refilled my bottle. Between my love of coffee and carbonated water (not the same as water), getting in the allocated 8-10 glasses is a project for me. Especially when my day is all work and no yoga or workout. This got me thinking on the car ride home. 

Since I knew my body didnt need the water for a workout or yoga, I didn’t bother to take care of it. I just focused on my busy day. When I got home, my head was pounding and I was exhausted. I’m guessing drinking water throughout the day would have helped.

Readers, do you struggle with your water intake?

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

Beachbody On Demand-Yoga and Focus T25

*All opinions are my own. I am not being paid to endorse these products.

The 30 day yoga challenge has officially come to a close! Honestly, it was refreshing, fun, and super easy to add yoga to daily life. I would recommend it to anyone that is starting to get into a regular yoga practice routine. What I didn’t expect to come from the Beachbody on Demand Yoga sessions, was my obsession with Focus T25.

About two months ago, my husband and I decided to eat healthier. Not a special diet or fad, just eat clean and cut out junk food. My husband wanted to start a better workout routine as well, so we decided to try Beachbody on Demand. For those of you that do not know, Beachbody on Demand is a streaming app with all types of workouts available. This app is great because you can stream it at home or on the road when you travel (see pic above of our home gym setup). My husband started with Focus T25 with Shaun T.  The Focus T25 program consists of high intensity workouts that only last 25 minutes, and they give you a calendar to follow. You participate in three levels: Alpha, Beta, Gamma. Obviously, as you progress through the levels, the workouts get more intense.

My husband’s results were amazing! In one week, he dropped 15 pounds and he was having fun. Honestly, who doesn’t have 25 minutes a day? So I decided to also give it a try since I am always looking to become stronger as a surfer and a yogi. My first two workouts with this program were intense, but it definitely was changing my body. I decided to dedicate myself to the program, while also completing the yoga challenge, to see if these workouts helped my surfing.

After three weeks of Focus T25, I was able to surf. We had a series of terrible rainstorms that kept me beached for a while, so I was itching to get on my board. The surf for the day was sluggish at best, meaning more paddling than anything. I thought that these conditions were going to be great to test out all the working out I was doing. I got into the water and paddled into the lineup. First sluggish wave that came my way I decided to go for it. I paddled and I caught it so easily! I was overjoyed that all the working out was paying off.

Readers, what other workouts do you participate in?

Namaste

~ScrappyYogi

Scrappy Green Shakes

Note: I am not a nutritionist. This drink is just my opinion

Readers, I’m sure most of you are familar with green shakes; you know those shakes that are made with kale and spinach, can be flavorless, and take forever to make in the blender. Well, about a month ago, I became a green shake fanatic, but only because my mom gave me a super easy recipe. See the recipe below:

  • Handful of kale and spinach
  • 1/2 cup of coconut water
  • 1/2 teaspoon of parsley 
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 apple
  • 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon of peeled ginger 
  • Splash of lemon juice
  • Splash of cayenne pepper

The best part of this recipe is you do not have to be exact in your measurements at all. Feel free to experiment and switch out ingredients if need be. 

I find this drink especially good after a surf or heated yoga session. It also keeps incredibly well in the fridge.

Readers, what shakes or protein supplements do you use in your life?

Also Readers, I started up my Instagram account again! You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @Scrappyyoga!

Namaste

~Scrappy Yogi