With all of the crazy in my world right now, I feel a pronounced need to look for some balance. And strength. And focus. And flexibility. So I’ve decided to give yoga a try.
The idea of me stepping into the yoga studio is laughable. I am not the least bit athletic and I’m clumsy as all hell. I also have a constant stream of consciousness chatter going on in my head. So the notion of working week after week to get to a place of inner quiet while simultaneously moving through poses without falling flat on my arse is a lofty goal. I expect the namaste to kick my butt for a while. And that’s ok. Because with practice I will learn to focus and breathe and move.
What I didn’t expect was to find myself quietly weepy at the end of each session. After moving my body through Mountain, Warrior, Tree, Bridge, and all the other poses whose names escape me, my emotional defenses are down. And as I lay on my mat, focusing on my breathing, the tears just appear. I don’t fight them. They roll down the side of my face and into my hair, or fall onto my mat. In that moment, I relinquish control to The Universe.
And as yoga helps me to find balance, strength, focus, and flexibility in the physical world, I’ve got a hunch that it will also help me to find those same things emotionally. It may take me thousands of sun salutations and downward dogs to get there, but each one will take me one step closer.
Wish me luck. I’m definitely going to need it.
Spicy Orange Chicken
Adapted from GE Advantium Cookbook
BAH Note: To make this in a regular oven, bake at 375 degrees. Check for doneness after about 20 minutes.
- 4 to 5 (5 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use Perdue Perfect Portions)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- zest and juice (approximately 1/4 cup) from 1 large orange
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Combine salt, paprika, allspice, and ginger and coat the chicken breasts completely. Place the spice coated chicken in an oblong baking dish and set aside.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the orange juice, zest, and brown sugar. Pour the liquid over the chicken. Place the baking dish on the metal tray.
Press SpeedCook, and scroll to My Recipes, New Recipe. Set the time for 20 minutes at the following settings: U=7, L=7, M=3. Check the chicken after 15 minutes and add a bit more orange juice or some chicken broth if the liquid has reduced too much. Check for doneness after 20 minutes and continue to cook for 5 minute increments, at the same settings, if needed.
Baste the chicken with the liquid before serving.
Bon Appetit Hon 
Sounds easy and delicious.
I just started yoga myself in November. I am not surprised by your emotional response. I admit the only tears I have shed have been out of some combination of pain and frustration, but in the big picture I move beyond that state and have really come to appreciate my body for all that it can do. Which has to be a lot healthier than berating my body for what it looks like.
Namaste, my friend!
Yoga has reminded me that I need to be gentle and forgiving with myself….physically and emotionally.
Have you tried a hot class? Talk about a workout. But so wonderful.
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Yes! I do hot yoga 3 times a week. I am a fountain of sweat, but holy cow! First really hard workout I’ve come to actually enjoy, despite the pain. I expected yoga to help with strength & flexibility, but never imagined the impact on my cardiovascular fitness. I can hop on an elliptical trainer now for half an hour without batting an eye where I used to be begging for mercy in 10 minutes.
You are braver than I am! I tried yoga and failed miserably. MISERABLY!
Did you go to a class? Let’s talk about this at our #jargarita dinner. Because on Monday nights my class is in Fell’s Point. Would love to have a yoga friend.
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I took voice lessons once and the teacher kept trying to reteach me how to breathe. I know how to breathe, thank you very much!!! That’s how I feel yoga would be like.
I’m instead slowly killing myself with Dance Central on the kinect.
That whole other breathing is a challenge. It’s awkward and unnatural. But I keep trying to remember to do it.
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i’m glad you’re doing yoga… it does wonders for the body, mind, soul and apparently heart! 🙂
I figure it was time to do something good for myself. I hope that I see the effects in body, mind, and spirit.
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I LOVE yoga and have finally enrolled in a class again. It starts on the first Monday of April, and I can’t wait. It brings me to this place of peace and I always leave floating in a magical bubble.
I haven’t found that magic yoga bubble yet Jenna. But my hips sure as hell felt better after a few classes. So I’m in.
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Yoga is terrific for mind and body balance. I really should get back to it.
I’m hoping that I really stick with this. I am notorious for losing steam…especially when it come to “fitness” activities. Maybe by talking about it here, I have made myself a bit more accountable.
I tried yoga last year just at home, and while I felt a little silly (mostly because I am just not flexible at all), it did feel good and helped me to be more relaxed. I think it might be better for me to take a class, but I think I’m a little too self-conscious…I need a yoga friend!
Tracy, if you were here or I were there, we’d be yoga friends. I definitely felt self conscious at first but then once I started to focus on what I was trying to do I forgot about everyone else in the room.
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