I (Colleen) am happy to announce I am almost 5 months pregnant, so I will most likely refrain from any more hooping commitments in the next few months to come, but that sure doesn’t mean I won’t be hooping for fun! Kayla will be teaching some kids hoop dance classes through St. Cloud’s Community Ed program this June and has lined up a few private hooping lessons as well. More info on the Kid’s Hooping Classes here! 

Those 9 words got me through flow yoga yesterday AND anxiety issues last night.

Let me explain. I’ve been going to different Flow Yoga classes since getting my month-long membership to Yogani. Last night’s class was totally AWESOME. The instructor let us know that the intention and mantra for the class was, “I am Open. I am Flexible. I am Strong.” When we thought we couldn’t hold the pose any longer, go any deeper into the pose or if our poses became sloppy, she wanted us to recite these 9 words in our heads.

So, I did. Ladies and gents, I made it through the 90-minute flow class, challenged myself and felt great by the time I was done.

How did those words help me with anxiety. Last night, I decided to attempt to sleep without the anti-anxiety and sleeping pills. So, I laid in the bed to rest and relax. When the feelings of anxiety came – for me, it’s in the form of my head, face, shoulders, arms and feet tingling, I sat through it. In my head, I continued to say, “I am Open, I am Flexible, I am Strong.” I also added, “This will pass, you are safe, you are comfortable.”

You know what? After 20 minutes or so, the anxiety passed. Excited by the breakthrough, I rushed to tell my dad. We talked for a while, then I retreated back to my bed. When the anxiety came again, I did the process again. And, again, the anxiety passed. I was so proud of myself!

Did I fall asleep without the meds? No. It’s weird. I think I was asleep, then I heard a loud “boom” in my head and woke up. When I tried to go back to sleep, it seemed like a band was playing in my head preventing me from sleeping. What the what? After great process, my mind started playing tricks on me. So, I decided to take the anti-anxiety med so I can sleep.

I did sleep for about 8 hours. I tried to go back to sleep. While the tingling sensation wasn’t as severe, it was there.

Needless, I’m grateful for the process I made last night in sitting with the anxiety and being hopeful and rational with myself. That was a big step in building my confidence back up with sleeping on my own.

Ciao!

From uboat.net:

The German submarine U-163 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Finisterre in position 45º05′N, 15º00′W by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Prescott (Lt. W. McIsaac, RCNVR).

Read more about the Prescott and her history here: Link