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A Few Words About Those Stupid New Year Resolutions
Written by Lori Pollard
Every year we hear the same annoying tips about the ole resolutions. Be realistic, be patient, get excited about your goals, write your goals down, blah blah blah. I think the invigoration of the new year can be rejuvenating and all, but there’s such hype, and a lot of the time let down from these expectations. I think they’re kinda counterproductive. Not to mention they make you feel like shit, and I will never endorse either one of those byproducts, so here’s my two cents. If you’re gonna set an intention for what you’d like to improve, then how about goin easy about it? Like, “Ok, I’d like to lose some weight, and I’m gonna prepare myself for this slowly, and in my head first.” What I mean by that is- why do you want to lose weight? What would it be like to be in better shape? Is that really all that important compared to everything else you’ve got goin on, and what you’re gonna have to sacrifice and give up doing this? Whatever your goal is, you gotta look at why it’s important enough to actually follow through with it, because if you don’t know the answer to this, than you probably don’t have the right plan or motivation to follow through anyway. So, is looking good in a pair of jeans really more important than losing time with your family/friends/self to exercise, eat different food than everyone else you’re with, give up some of the food you love, and the energy it takes to make new habits? You get my point. Most of the time, if you know what and why things in your life are important to you, you’ll get a clearer picture of what you truly want, and then how to better go about it. So if a little extra weight, means you get to enjoy more time with your loved ones, or downin a few brownies with the girls- then get on with your bad self. At the end of the day, if you want to be happy embrace your choices and don’t look back.
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Yoga: A Place Where I Don't Have To Fu*%#n Care
Written by Lori Pollard
So I'm in yoga today and before we start the physical practice, we're just sitting and preparing our minds for some serious, physical shit. I'm in a good, almost expansive mood today, so I'm feeling confident and happy, and I start thinking about how grateful I am for this yoga studio, my body, Katie(owner/teacher of the studio), and the people I'm practicing with. This place is one of the few places that I can come into, and just not have to give one damn about what anyone else, including myself, thinks of me. I think this is because this particular studio/teacher has had the egolessness and presence to make her business and life passion about not just doing yoga to have a rockin body and impress others with how you can contort your body, but more importantly about accepting where your body is right now, and appreciating what your body has to offer you physically and emotionally. There are times when I feel like a badass warrior in class, and other times, my balance is all over the place, and I feel like I have no strength whatsoever. Instead of going into my usual, "What's wrong with me? Fight harder, push harder Lori- this is unacceptable", I am able to just rock back into child's pose, and give myself permission to just do the best I can, and not beat the shit out of myself for it.
This studio/owner is unique from any other yoga experience I've ever had, and I've heard other students who come from some pretty progressive places, comment in the same way. This place, with it's warm tones, laughter, genuineness, and constant reminders verbally and non-verbally to just go with it, and let yourself be has opened me up in ways that no other form of exercise or therapy has. Everyone there is quitely rooting for you. There's no lame high fives going on or anything. But if you're pissed off, sad, scared, or whatever place you're are, you can sit on that mat, breathe in with everyone else there who's going through whatever crap they've got goin on, and everyone gets it. When I fall out of a pose or can't quite get the handstand, I can laugh now, or just breathe into the next pose- that last pose is gone just like the past we carry around- gone. Breathe, accept yourself, move forwardly gently and with confidence, go into childs pose when you need to. Ride it out, and pretty soon you're in warrior two feeling hopeful and strong again.
For all of you Fresnans who want to support downtown, or not, but just want a different place to escape to. Somewhere away from where you usually go, and walk into something that from the first moment you enter, you can feel warm and free- get your butts down to Coil Yoga. Easy to find right off of 41. I can get there from NE Fresno in 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic, and it is well worth it for what I get out of it. There are also classes for all you professionals who work downtown that will fit in great with your schedule. If I worked down there I'd be there all the time. If you're doing yoga in a gym, or a trendy studio that's offering just the workout experience-that's ok at times, but you are missing out on some serious stress relief, and pure unadulterated peace that Coil Yoga offers. I'm not writing this to plug the studio, although I'm happy to do that for Katie, because she freakin deserves it, but because with all of the stress and fear I'm seeing lately, I truly want to extend something life changing to the people I care about. You don't have to be flexible, strong, thin, etc... there's classes for everyone for all levels, and for different purposes. I could wear my jammies to restorative yoga. Nobody cares what you can or can't do-that's the beauty of this place with these people- I don't have to take myself so seriously or be anything except honest and genuine with whatever I am at that time, with me on that mat. It's heaven, and I think I deserve it...
Thanks for listening, and sorry if the potty mouth offends you,
Lori
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You Are Not Your House or Your Credit Score: Hope in a Tough Economy
Written by Lori Pollard
Perhaps more than ever it is the time to ask, “What do I want to do with my life that would truly bring me happiness?” People are losing jobs, houses, material possessions, and perhaps what I think for some is most devastating - their identity. We have economists, banks, politicians and everyday people looking for who’s to blame, as though this will help to alleviate the fear of uncertainty. I don’t mean to minimize people’s reactions to our current economic situation, because I think it’s perfectly natural to feel afraid, sad and/or angry, but I could also make the argument that what’s happened could be our big chance to make some exciting, life changing decisions- depending on how willing we are to see it this way. Some may call it crises, but I like to call it, “perfect timing.”
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Read more: You Are Not Your House or Your Credit Score: Hope in a Tough Economy
How You May Be Shutting Down Communication With Your Teen.
Written by Lori Pollard
I was sitting down to dinner with my 14 year old daughter, when she busted out with her wish for our summer plans. It went something like this, “I really want to go to the Bahamas this summer. Everyone’s been there but me.” I came within a mille-second of making the fatal teen-parent error of calmly explaining to her that while I understood her wish for a vacation, that a trip to the Bahamas wouldn’t be possible this year due to the economy.
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Read more: How You May Be Shutting Down Communication With Your Teen.
Therapeutic Yoga: How One Pose Can Get You Unstuck
Written by Lori Pollard
I have dabbled in yoga, meditation and various spiritual teachings now for about 10 years. Over the last 7 months I have become much more immersed and serious with my practices, so when I attended my first therapeutic yoga workshop recently, I was a little thrown off when I proceeded to bawl my head off during class. There was this faint, familiar voice in the back of my somewhat malleable mind saying, “There’s no crying in yoga!” One minute I’m feeling warm and cozy in a pose that for the life of me I can’t pronounce, and the next minute the ever compassionate instructor is placing tissue in my hand.
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Read more: Therapeutic Yoga: How One Pose Can Get You Unstuck
