Obstacles and Inspiration

I'm a busy girl. I'm guessing your schedule is maxed out too. There is hardly enough time in the day to whip up a green smoothie much less stretch! And definitely not enough time to write a book. But I believe it's more about making the time instead of making excuses. My fast food consists of superfood smoothies I make in about two minutes and drink out of a to-go mason jar in my car, my stretching routines happen in 10 minute increments, and my book was written in 5 months during gaps in my schedule. I even wrote a few paragraphs while waiting in doctors offices and in my car between clients (thanks to Google docs!) 

Why did I write the book? What made me want to challenge myself and sacrifice every spare moment of my life for 5 straight months? 

My first inspiration for the book was my Dad and my brother. My dad was an alcoholic who died when he was 50 years old. My brother was a type 1 diabetic who died in a car accident when he was 44. I'm 46. 

The cliche "life is short" became very real to me after losing my brother suddenly. Often we wait until we get sick or are diagnosed with cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes until we wake up and take better care of ourselves. I would like all of us to take better care of ourselves NOW - Before something tragic happens. There is no perfect time. The time is now. 

My second inspiration for writing the book was you. Even though I may not know you, I truly want to spare you any of the pain I suffered and want to help share what I learned along my healing journey from Lyme and autoimmune thyroid disease and how an anti inflammatory superfood diet, self-care and yoga / stretching transformed my health and my life. Little changes make a huge difference. 

I don't know about you, but some of the most powerful lessons of my life came from the obstacles and challenges I faced. Both Lyme and autoimmune thyroid disease derailed me from my goals, crushed my spirit and zapped my energy. Losing my dad and my brother woke me up in ways nothing else could. 

If you've read my book, you know I'm all about the balance of opposites... willpower and doing hard things versus chillpower and doing easy things. Being strong and brave while maintaining flexibility and resilience... 

I'm not gonna lie - Writing the book was a hard thing. Sitting at my desk for 8 hours a day pouring out my thoughts is not a strength of mine. But life is short and I knew the months would pass whether I dug in and finished or I dogged it and bailed. Just like crossing the finish line at a race, I wanted to look back, smile and know I did my best. 

Whatever obstacles you're facing right now, try to find gratitude and be inspired to stretch yourself. The obstacles are there to teach and stretch us into the new person we are meant to be. Maybe you too have a story to tell and a book to write! 

Flexibility is power! 

Namaste, 

Karen Dubs 

www.flexiblewarrior.com 

New beginnings

I feel like spring is the perfect time to set (or reset) New Year goals and intentions. It feels much easier to eat more fresh vegetables (hello farmers markets) and exercise more when it's warm and green. Even my dog became a serious couch potato this winter and is raring to start running again. 

My point is, don't feel guilty if you veered off from your new year goal. I spent November through mid April glued to my desk listening to nutrition lectures and writing my book. I got what I call 'writers butt', drank coffee, ate tons of chocolate, and the only exercise I got was about 10 minutes of yoga and mediation a day. The 'better than nothing' workout. 

We each go through phases in our life when other priorities such as family, work or even weather get in the way of out fitness goals. It's impossible to stay in balance one hundred percent of the time. 

This is one of the many reasons why I love yoga. The start of each yoga practice is an opportunity to begin again. Now is a perfect time to recommit to a higher purpose. 

Today was special for me. It marked a turning point. Five months ago I began the journey to be a published author. During that time I encountered many obstacles from my keyboard breaking to my basement yoga studio flooding. Minor bumps in the road in the scheme of things. 

But today I got to break in my newly remodeled yoga studio, sign a few books for some yoga friends, read a favorite quote (about obstacles, gratitude, perseverance and faith) to my students from my very own book AND toast with my friends with KeVita (my favorite Kombucha :) - You know that about 80% of your immune system lies in your digestive tract so feed it good bacteria with probiotics! 

It wasn't a big deal. Just eight ladies on a Monday morning moving, stretching and breathing in my little basement studio. But to me, it marked a turning point. 

Writing is a lonely process that requires a lot of disciplined commitment and more stillness than I'm comfortable with (and I'm a big fan of stillness!) It was so refreshing to be surrounded by yoga friends and moving my body instead of sitting alone at my desk, staring at a computer screen. 

So cheers to spring and new beginnings! 

The warrior in me honors the warrior in you. Namaste 

Karen

Www.flexiblewarrior.com

Obstacles

We're 41 days into 2011. One of my intentions this year is to do 365 consecutive days of Sun Salutations. Yesterday was my 40th consecutive day and I celebrated by taking class with one of my best friends and favorite teachers. Today I woke up and have a stomach flu. But this is just one of many major obstacles I've hit so far this year.

Here is the thing...

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -Dolly Parton

When I set my goal of doing 10 minutes of Sun Salutations a day I felt like it was a very achievable goal. At the time, I didn't realize I'd be facing two family deaths within the first 6 weeks of the year. But I'm proud to say that despite many sleepless nights, stress and sadness, I maintained a commitment to my daily 10 minutes and it has been a worthwhile investment.

The day my Grandma died, my sister joined me for my 10 minute mini practice. We did yoga on Grandma's living room floor early in the morning despite barely sleeping the night before, getting up every two hours to nurse and check on her. Grandma died later that afternoon peacefully in her home, and I feel like my sister and I also had so much peace through the entire process.  

I'm sure you can relate when I say there were many days "I didn't feel like it" but boy did I feel better after I did it. Ten minutes might not sound like much, but it can make a world of difference during times of challenge. I realize that an important reason I take care of myself is so that I have the energy and ability to help take care of others. We can't give from an empty cup.

Today my 10 minute practice might not be Sun Salutations since I have a stomach flu. But being flexible is as much mental as physical. I believe a 10 minute seated meditation or guided imagery Savasana will suffice on sick days.

Obstacles are part of life. Setting a goal and achieving it is not supposed to be easy. If it was, no one would ever achieve anything worthwhile. It's the challenges that set us apart.

By mid February many people who set a New Years fitness goal start to fall off the wagon. Now is the time to reset your committment to your health and wellness. In a few more weeks it will be spring and it will be worth it...

"What appears to be impossible may be the wall you can only see from your present stance. If you are willing to give thanks for something you want before you see it, you will not be disappointed. Be constant to your goals, show gratitude - And one day soon you will look back and wonder why you ever doubted." - Joyce Sequichie Hifler