Random Realization

As much as I find the idea of working from home quaint, novel, and highly desirable, I now realize that I need a physical office away from home in order to keep my beauty copywriting career at its full and optimal potential. The only things that I find that I'm able to do sufficiently well at home are the following:

- Cook
- Eat
- Write about what I cooked and ate
- Browse the internet (because believe it or not, I rarely leisurely browse when I'm at work)
- Plan a yoga class
- Do yoga
- Write about life and yoga
- Nap and sleep

So, unless I take steps to make some of the above become my full-time occupation—food blogging, yoga teaching, and yoga/life blogging—I shall continue to be part of the daily hustle and bustle of working in New York City, being a copywriter in the fabulous world of beauty.

Now, getting to the office is one thing. I do love and enjoy having an office and being among coworkers (surprisingly, what with my social awkwardness). My ultimate goal/dream/wish as a professional is to be shuttled back and forth via car service. I want to work as hard as Bloomberg, but not have to be in a jam-packed train during rush hour. But then again, the mayor himself takes the subway—and so do CEOs, Julia Stiles, Scarlett Johansson, Jay Z*, et.al.—so touché!

(*Maybe Hova doesn't count, probably had a full security detail in tow, hah!)

Summer Highlights

One of the challenges I find with blogging these days is the "real-time-ness" of posts—chronicling notable and bloggable events on the same day. I'm constantly playing catch-up...or going completely M.I.A., as you can tell with my complete lack of posts for the month of July. Sigh.

But, moving along. I have been meaning to write about season's highlights. I'm a summer girl at heart. Summer is my favorite season, summer is when I feel the most nourished, summer is when I get an ample dose of Vitamin D, and summer is also when I can get dressed in five minutes flat (I'm a matchy-matchy kind of person so you can just imagine the agony of putting together layers in the winter time).

Without further ado, highlights from the last couple of weeks (which, in the blogging world, is eons!):

1) Summer Beauty
Well, it was still technically spring when I purchased these two lip treats from Sephora: Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil in Pomegranate and YSL Volupté Sheer Candy Glossy Balm Crystal Color in Succulent Pomegranate. The former does say 'matte' but it goes on soft and creamy, leaving a rich hue on lips, while the latter is indeed a colored gel-balm that leaves a nice hint of sheer cherry. YSL's packaging is absolutely adorable and I certainly got it for prettiness.

A couple of weeks back, before it got really hot, I got a tube of Brazilian True Tan to kickstart my summer sun-kissed skin. I'd originally planned on purchasing something from St. Tropez, but, after reading the ingredients and giving it a whiff, I went for the former. Brazilian True Tan's formula is supposedly infused with AHA, so you don't have to exfoliate before applying. The color you get is very subtle, hence the claim "non-streak" on the packaging, because you can build on color, instead of slathering it on in one dark dollop. As with any self-tanner, you still have to watch it when it comes to elbows, ankles, and knees—wipe off any excess on these areas.

Okay, it's the weekend—I'm a beauty copywriter by day so writing about beauty on my day off feels like a bus driver's holiday—so I'm moving on to the next summer highlight...

2) Summer Solstice!

Next to Christmas, this is my favorite time of the year. It is the longest day where we get the most sunlight. Fortunately, my husband spotted the invite in the mail to sign up for the yearly Solstice In Times Square event. It was so surreal doing yoga right there, that I kept on peeking during Savasana to look at the buildings towering above me.

Bright and early!

I believe Vasisthasana (Side Plank) was the peak pose for that morning's session. That's me on the left, in the rainbow pink top. I'm quite proud of my Vasisthasana, simply because I could barely do one only a few years ago. Next stop: the full expression of the pose (yogi toe lock, leg extended at a 45-degree angle).

Fun and surreal doing yoga in Times Square!

3) Hova brought sexy back.

We got to see Jay Z and Justin Timberlake in concert at Yankee Stadium! :) The Legends of Summer tour paired the two music heavyweights, resulting in a concert experience to remember! Happy Summer days indeed.

Yoga Journal

Tuesday night reading; channeling peace, kindness, and relaxation: #yogajournal #magazine (free, w/ my teaching liability insurance!) 

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 26

"Be kind to your body… Do what you want to do, not what you think you should do." 

—heard in yoga class earlier; sound advice also applicable to life! :)

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 19

Meta Kindness

At my previous job, I had the following inspirational quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer running along the bottom of my daily task sheet, which I blogged about back in September:

SUCCESS IS AN INSIDE JOB. 

Being relaxed, at peace with yourself, confident, emotionally neutral, loose, and free-floating—these are the keys to successful performance in almost everything you do.

At my current job, I have the words META KINDNESS on my Copy Project List on Excel.

According to Wikipedia, “Mettā” translates to “loving kindness,” which means, I have to edit my note to correct the spelling :)

Kidding aside, this is a wonderful type of meditation wherein you start by radiating ‘metta’ toward yourself, and then passing it on (in thought) to someone close to you, and then to a person you know, and then a stranger, or even someone you’re at odds with—expanding the ‘circle of kindness’ outward. [“The cultivation of loving-kindness (mettā bhāvanā) is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.”]

First, you say the following phrases to yourself. Or, if I understood this correctly, any positive, loving and kind thought would also suffice:

“May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I feel peaceful and at ease. May I be happy.”

Then, think of someone you love.

“May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you feel peaceful and at ease. May you be happy.”

And then keep going as you ‘radiate’ out, wishing people kindness and wellness along the way.

Try it! See if you like it :)

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 15

"In life and in yoga, we can choose to adopt an accepting, in-the-moment outlook that lets us flow through any challenge or discomfort with grace; breathing smoothly and staying rooted in our peace, knowing that everything happens for a reason."

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 13

Yoga Saturday

Flow 1 observation, then Flow 2 “solar/fire + earth” yoga class: My batteries are officially recharged. :) #yoga #energize #stressbuster 

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 9

Believe it or not, it took me a good two years (or even more) to finally "fly" into Bakasana, or Crow Pose the other day. I can now do it for about three seconds—versus not being able to lift both feet off the ground at all, or collapsing on my wrists. I've also never fallen forward, because I scare myself pretty easily and get into my head that I never fully go for it.

This video is what sealed the deal for me. What she said about going "in a horizontal plane" and "swimming in a lake" (1:22), instead of looking down, unlocked the pose for me. It was that one final element and tip that clicked, so now I am working towards truly embodying this pose and being able to spend more time to BREATHE into it.

Here's what she said:

"It's mostly a posture for your mind… because your arms will be sort of trapped from underneath you, and you have to lean forward to find the balance of this pose and sometimes that is the biggest hurdle to get over for this pose."

"As you come forward it is important to find a flat back in a horizontal plane. A lot of us get into Crow Pose and we think 'get your hips really high and set yourself down into this pose' …which is a lot of pressure going down. You want to be able to find, like you're swimming on a lake, or [going on] a horizontal plane.

"Keep your gaze up, keep your eyes up, and let the heart lead you forward. You will coast forward and you have to lean past the part that feels safe. You gotta lean like an inch past your fear and that's the part where your body will balance, and you'll see."

(I tried finding the name of the teacher in this Howcast video but it wasn't available. Sending many thanks to her, nonetheless!)

Interestingly, the same advice also applied to my rock and sportclimbing days: When I was afraid of heights, I found that looking up and focusing on the route—and not looking down—helped me get to the top of a wall.

Don't you guys think that this applies to life as well?! :)

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 6

Yoga pants are the new jeans

I so agree: Yoga pants are the new jeans :) #lululemon #wunderunder #weekendwear http://t.co/TGqYQdpP

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 2

New Moon, New Blog (Repost)

As part of my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification, I am embarking on a 30-day personal “sadhana”—or practice.

According to bluesage-sanctuary.com:

A sadhana can be any one of a number of rituals that you personally feel drawn to and are comfortable committing to on a daily basis. Sadhana, known in yoga as the “Path to Self-Realization,” is time taken each day (usually in the morning) to meditate, practice asana (yogic postures) and/or mantra. However, a personal daily sadhana needs not adhere to only these activities. Even a simple contemplative or meditative walk each day can be a sadhana ritual. 

It’s ideal to start one’s personal sadhana on a day that is quite meaningful: that could be the start of the month, a significant personal day, or the start of a New Moon (hence, why I chose today). 

In my original blog, NyMinuteNow.com, I did a 30-day Blog Challenge every year from 2009 to 2011. I didn’t do it in 2012 because of a hectic work schedule. Work is still pretty busy these days, but having studied and embraced yoga for three months straight, what better way to jump back into the blogging game AND fulfill one of the last few requirements towards being able to apply for the certificate than starting a 30-day Blog Challenge once again.

And this time, I’m doing it here on Tumblr, as a spin-off of my home blog! [And I'm reposting everything here on Ny Minute Now as well ;)]

I’m curious to see what the features here are and how the interface works; hoping the new space will inspire me to stick to the plan.

Blogging for 30 days straight is only one part of my personal sadhana. I also plan on doing the following:

1) At least 10 minutes of meditation daily and doing Nadi Shodhana or alternate-nostril breathing—a ‘cleansing’ and ‘purifying’ pranayama or breath.

2) Wait for it…

30 days of NOT BUYING ANYTHING!!! 

Bet ya didn’t see that coming, did you?:)

Of course the essentials such as food, groceries, and basic necessities do not. I am talking about my Zara-online-shopping habit and buying random things.

I still have to fill out the personal sadhana form from one of my teachers at Sonic Yoga here in New York (the sheet should include a personal intention and other aspects). Will most likely talk about it in further detail as I go along.

For now, here goes: I hope the next 30 days of blogging, meditating, and not-buying-anything prove to be meaningful and fulfilling!

Cheers!

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 1

New Moon, New Blog

Hi, friends!

I'm testing out Ny Minute Now over at Tumblr: http://nyminutenow.tumblr.com, check it out if you like :)

Just curious what the interface and blogging experience over there would be like, and—drum roll, please—I'm doing a 30-day Blog Challenge this year!

Some of you may have noticed that I didn't do one in 2012. It was a hectic time at work and my job these days still involves a full and busy workweek. But I'm finally embarking on a 30-day Blog Challenge once again as part of my 30-day personal sadhana, or "practice," which is a requirement to complete my 200-hour RYT certification...and then I can officially call myself a yoga teacher(!). Although of course, the yoga journey doesn't end there.

For more on this year's Challenge and personal sadhana, check out my new Tumblr page! (Note: I am still testing out templates and tinkering with the settings so expect some tweaks.)

Oh, and tonight is a new moon, which is one of the suggested times when one can start a personal sadhana.

Yoga Journey

One weekend at Sonic Yoga. This space feels like home.
(Image courtesy of Lisa Diebold Smith)

When I started the 200-hour teacher training at Sonic Yoga three months ago, here in New York City, I honestly had no desire or intention to teach. I simply was after the discipline and structure that would result from having a schedule to follow for the duration of the training: alternating full weekends from nine a.m. to six p.m.; weekly Monday night conference calls; and weekly Thursday evening classes. As the training unfolded, I would find out that I also had to complete "non-contact" hours on my own, which included practice teaching, papers, observations, and more.

I felt lethargic that first weekend, although I did take plenty of notes. Fast-forward to today, three months after, my classmates and I have just completed our written and practical exams, and spent one fantastic, heartwarming, and fabulous final weekend together! Just a few more assignments and classes away, I can request for my certificate of completion and apply for the 200-hr RYT at Yoga Alliance. I can't wait! (RYT stands for "registered yoga teacher"; and yes, I've just Googled that!)

My light bulb moment? Midway through the training, it clicked: I wanted to teach yoga. It could have been the educational anatomy weekend, learning about Ayurveda, the peace, love, joy, and camaraderie among my co-teachers-in-training, the humor and talent of our teachers, or the accessibility and heart-centeredness of this 5,000-year-old practice... Somewhere along the way, my desire to teach manifested itself, so that's where I am now.

It's an ongoing journey, I've come to learn. Many of us will continue to study and be part of the community: There's the Mentorship Program, 300-hour training, working as a Karmi at the studio... or even as simple—yet profound—as creating a steady and consistent home practice.

Where do I go from here? I will be doing at least one of the above as soon as I finish the rest of my requirements. It truly is an unbelievable journey filled with love for one's self and others. By tapping into the physical aspect of poses, here is a practice that can open up the heart and mind and lead one into a more spiritual, kind, and loving place.

Hooray!

Yoga Minutes

Almost a month into my yoga teacher training (for the 200-hour certification), I'm happy to see that I'm embodying the lessons—albeit at a slow pace, which should be fine in the yoga world.

 Case in point: Last night, as my husband was getting to bed, in my half-asleep state, I turned to him and said, "Twisting is good for digestion."

"What [are you talking about]?" he said.

"Oh, in yoga. The twists..."

And then off I went back to sleep :)

In class last night, we learned about some seated poses and twists: When you move your torso/upper body/shoulder in one direction, keeping your base grounded, that's supposed to engage your core and build "fire" to help with digestion. It's also not too different from wringing a wet towel to "freshen" it up.