hot yoga, pt2, and other randoms

so today I attended the Topaz class....here's the description:

Topaz

Arrichion Hot Yoga Core Foundational Series

32 poses

Class duration: 60 minutes

Room temperature: 102 F

Beginner to advanced students

Topaz means fire or heat in Sanskrit. In Greek, the name topaz is derived from the word topazos which means to seek. In addition, the stone was recognized by the Greeks as the stone of strength. Another symbolic meaning of topaz is that it represents hope and the healing energies associated with expansiveness, rejuvenation, dispelling anger, and balancing emotions. The cultural and mythical meanings associated with this gemstone provide the basis for naming the core Arrichion Hot Yoga class Topaz.

The 32 postures included in this series will help you to stretch and warm muscles and ligaments; improve balance, and increase strength and flexibility.

this was a great class! not nearly as intense as the first one I took which was great b/c I was able to really get in there and stretch through the posing....this is a great class for any beginner looking to try it out b/c of the emphasis on the basics....once class was over I stopped briefly to pick up a paper copy of the schedule to keep on me and the instructor complimented me on my practice and actually went so far as to call it beautiful....WOW! I was so humbled to hear that! she was shocked that this was only my second class but as we kept talking and she mentioned my flow I said, must be a dance throwback :) one thing about this class that I truly loved was that it was small enough that she was able to go around and do little corrections....she helped me get deeper into one pose and I was thinking, yep-there's that tension in my back! I am forever tight in my upper back and her pressing me deeper into the pose made me realize that is still very much an issue I need to continue working on....

I think the thing I am truly enjoying about the yoga practice is that for once I have something to do that involves no thought....I have only experienced "no thought" twice in my life and that was the two times I smoked pot....but since this is not exactly something I do I never get a break from the constant borage of thoughts....but during these classes I can somehow go in there and just shut it all out and concentrate on breathing and stretching and working out all these kinks....I like this a lot :)

now for the RANDOM: I have an always growing list of go-to words that make me smile no matter what....they're words that I could never say and be angry....feel free to add to this list for anyone reading....here's what I have so far:

tater tot

fluff

bunny

shiny

cupcake

marshmellow

I notice a food theme here....

my first hot yoga class experience at Arrichion

so tonight I decided to take on the world of hot yoga....I've been wanting to for some time now but work schedule and then some weather issues were hampering my attempts but tonight FINALLY all the stars seems to align....oh and it helped that I actually remembered the day before as opposed to 3am ;)

below is the description of the class I took:

Krystallos

Arrichion Hot Yoga Core Strengthening Series

Class duration: 60 minutes

Room temperature: 97 F

Beginner to advanced students

The Ancient Greeks believed that Krystallos (crystal) was light frozen into an ice so hard that it could never be thawed. These gemstones have long been used for protection and healing. At Arrichion Hot Yoga, Krystallos will harden your core through a series of core strengthening postures. This series includes techniques that will help you build muscle through resistance to your body weight and of engagement of small muscle groups. This series is a great complement to Topaz for all students.

this is not the hottest class they provide but it's right up there (102 would be the tops)....I'll start by saying my drive over in typical raleigh traffic was highly annoying and, of course, I hit every fucking stoplight along the way....I kid you not! EVERY ONE! hahahaha....I'm thinking, I'm going to need this class to calm me down! I finally get there to meet up with my fellow Outbacker Varia....I get all registered and in we go...

immediately the obvious hits you: IT'S HOT! but it was a kind of hot that for a while you thought, wow, this feels good! kind of like when you lay in a tanning bed and get all relaxed even though you're sweating like a mutha...the class begins and it's a good mix of new and usuals....I really enjoyed the fact that no one watches each other, everyone keeps to their own moves and breathing, and if you need to stop, well, then you stop....and trust me when I say I was not alone when I had to take a few moments to gather myself....

this class was a core intensive class and I realized very quickly just how often I DON'T do crunches....I don't typically work abs exclusively b/c I'm always quick to use my core for all my moves plus I like to do hanging leg raises on my pullup bar in my apt....but even with that um, yeah, hi abs! how YOU doin'? they're pretty fatigued right now as I type this but it's a good thing, trust me :)

some of the core work involved leg and glute work....some of it reminiscent of my dancing days at App when we would do leg swings while laying on the floor to warm up our hips....I was very surprised at how well I did on the work where we were on our tummies and would arch up, lift one leg higher with the opposite arm outstretched, reverse, repeat, etc....my guess is that all those deadlifts did their job :) as I sit here right now I can feel my glutes and hammies like I had done a leg day....now I know why yogis have great butts!

I did make sure to keep well hydrated during the day and this was definitely a good idea...I think next time I go I'll opt for a light but longsleeve shirt....I am not a huge fan of sweat dripping off my arms while I workout and would much rather sweat up a shirt....oh and definitely a large towel! I just took a personal towel and um, yeah, a larger towel the size of your mat is a must so you're not slipping and sliding all over the mat....

as for the actual work, I was really worried about halfway through b/c my heart started beating like a hummingbird....thought I might be sick a few times....as I was on the mat controlling my breathing I went, oh, note to self: no caffeine within an hour of this class! also note to self: don't set up in the corner....I just got where there was room and it was nice little nook in the back with a tapestry hanging up above me that I focused on quite a few times but being in the corner meant all that heat would almost feel like it was trapped back there....

I think once I get adjusted to the heat I could actually do the class without stopping....it is without a doubt a very unique experience....I would recommend anyone try this....I cannot speak for other studios but when they list this class as suitable for all levels they do mean it...I never once felt I was in a class that was above my skill set (which I think speaks well of the instructor)....

so if you're in the Raleigh or Charlotte area (there's a studio there, too) I highly recommend you check it out!

who knew.....

a random Yahoo daily horoscope could put everything into perspective for today:

April 04, 2011

1. Capricorn (12/22-1/19)

   For way too long, the misconception that you have to fit in has been dictating your behavior. Even if you haven't realized it, you've been subtly editing yourself and altering your attitude, thinking that will get you farther. What you may fail to realize is that who you are is defined in part by how you're different from everyone else. Do things your own way today -- you'll meet little, if any, resistance. Strike out and show everyone the real you.

Becoming a brand....

I've always admired people who are able to take a passion and turn it into a career....and in some cases, a brand....I site examples of Trish Stratus, Matt Hardy, Allison Moyer, Brittany Beede....the last two in particular I admire b/c it's more like what I'd like to do which is to help and encourage others to take on the healthy and fit lifestyle....but how does one get to that point? well, here's a few theories:


1- practice what you preach: anyone who reads my blogs know that I struggle with this one daily....but maybe if I get back into the realm of actually being hands on with clients I'd be able to keep this one fully in focus


2- PR! facebook, twitter, blogs....anything to get your name out there and promote your message....and a website sure doesn't hurt either


3- word of mouth- they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on, and so on (thank you Wayne's World)




opinions? more theories? ADVICE????

recipe du jour....

very simple but oh so very good! calories are approximate since things can vary....I am using raw baby spinach, raw pepper, and fresh caught salmon from Kroger....




6oz wild caught salmon
3c baby spinach
~1/2c raw green pepper slices
1tbsp dulse flakes
2tbsp Annie's Naturals Lite Honey Mustard




cals: 328
fat: 11g
carbs: 8g
pro: 47g




this can be tailored to your needs (like if you need less protein per meal just scale back on the salmon) but these numbers are pretty dang good! and only 3g of the 8g of carbs comes from sugar....not too shabby!






now I can see you now, reading this and going, wtf are dulse flakes! hahaha well never fear! here's your explanation:




dulse flakes are basically ground up sea vegetables (algae)....now while that may not sound appealing on the surface it actually it an easy way to spruce up a salad or some soup....they add a salty taste to anything you add them to....which can be a great benefit if you're trying to reduce your salt intake....dulse flakes are high in iodine which is excellent for natural support of the thyroid....you'll also find iron and vitB6....I can barely taste them when I add them into a salad....it's an easy way to increase your nutritional bang for your buck so why not!

facebook note

I decided to copy and paste this to here for anyone who does not use FB or who missed it on my page....and if anyone has a membership for the one site or knows someone who does PLEASE let me know! I would LOVE to see the video and pics of me....for free! I mean, I did provide myself for them....seems fair to me!

Randomness featuring your's truly :)

by Sharon Garrett on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 6:53am

ok so on a recent google search of myself (oh don't act like you've never done it) I found myself all over the place....not that I'm entirely shocked b/c I did do quite a bit in 2007 when I competed nationally. But I guess I was taken aback a little at some of the pics I had never seen (like stills from video I've yet to see of Jr Natls-and can't see b/c I don't have a membership!) and in languages other than English. Apparently the 'nator booty is universal ;) So here's some links to randomness I've found:

http://muscularwomensdressed.blogspot.com/2010/10/sharon-garrett.html

http://usamusclewomen.com/person/detail.asp?CompetitorID=5678

^^ anyone have a membership????? ^^

http://lesfemmesdemesreves.blogspot.com/2011/02/sharon-garrett_27.html

^ this is the french one I referred to in one of my pic comments-oh big, fat LOL

random stuff and birthday wishes....

first the bday wishes....


1- BRIAN WILSON!!!!! omg y'all, he's only 29....so delicious :) (March 16th)


2- BRET MICHAELS!!!! my original "bad boy" crush from back in the day....I still rock out to all of Poison's cd's :) (March 17th)


3- DAD!!!! yep, chalk up another for half of the reason I'm here....so that either means y'all reading this curse him or thank him ;) I'm hoping weather will hold up and we'll take a day trip to the mountains (March 18th)






and we have St Patrick's Day on the 17th....which means you will see me in this:

well dang y'all....

I didn't realize it had been almost two months with no post! my bad :D hahahaha....I haven't had too much to write on just yet....let's see:

• still obsessed with Brian Wilson
• still obsessed with CM Punk
• still working
• found a lifting partner!
• still going back to school this summer

yeah that pretty much sums it up for now....I'll report back on workouts and such....plans are underway for new training and diet very soon courtesy of someone I've wanted to work with for a while....we'll see how that goes!