Hippity, hoppity

I went to my first hip hop class at the Y this week and I loved it. Loved it. Loved it so much I can't wait to go back,, wish it were offered every night of the week and wish I could toss in the towel on Zumba and embrace only hip hop.

Did I mention I loved it?

Everything was built on an eight-count. As in, 5-6-7-8-jam out! But seriously, Vicki S. at the Southwest Valley Family YMCA may just be my favorite group exercise teacher ever. She broke down the moves into small pieces, putting together a few at a time, repeating them repeatedly, and having us build on the routine each time. Granted, the moves in the first 1/2 hour of the class probably weren't that difficult, but who doesn't love a "kick-sit" or a "bucket-pull"--I think it was probably good that I couldn't see myself in the mirror, but I was totally rockin' out.

Then came the second half of the class when Vicki S. decided to teach a new routine...and things sort of fell apart for me. Between trying to "shake it like Beyonce" and doing a "cross-kick," I had a much more difficult time keeping up, but as with so many things in life, I laughed at myself, kept jammin' out, and had a great time.

And the other thing I love about hip hop? You can have a total attitude while you're doing it, like, "yea, don't mess with me--I know hip hop" (and then bust out some moves).

Mrs. Butterworth takes on Gumby

Last week I crossed #100 off my list.

I wasn't sure what to expect, certainly not the dark, candle-lit room, or the range of shapes/sizes of the people around me, or the cheerfulness of the instructor. And although painful and frustrating at times, it was definitely a positive, first experience!

A shout-out to to SIL1 who graciously invited me out to a free yoga class that her church sponsors. The class started off well with each of us on our mats, laying on our backs, palms outstretched and open, clearing our minds from the worries of the day and allowing our bodies to relax from the stresses of the day, focusing on the worship music in the background and the sound of the instructor's voice. After the next hour I was grateful we attended a Level 1/Gentle class--I have no idea what it means to "soften" the shoulders or the hips (I think I have enough "softness" in those areas already!). And "dropping the hip bone into the socket"--how do you even get it out? I can't even feel my hip bones given all my "softness"--does that count?

I was frustrated that I wasn't doing things "right" and that I couldn't see the instructor to mimic her moves (did I mention it was dark?), but eventually I just relaxed and did what I could (and tried to eye the older gentleman on my right to make sure I wasn't totally out of sync!). And there were some things that hurt, and I tried not to grimace too much and to remember to breathe, and to remain relaxed and not forget to breathe and to control the shaking of my muscles while trying to remember to breathe (anyone see a pattern here?!).

But by the end I was extremely relaxed and ready for a long nap (and bedtime!). And though I felt more like Mrs. Butterworth than Gumby, I'm ready to try again, and even picked up a Yoga for Beginners DVD at the library (so the next time I go to class I can feel a bit more confident in what I'm doing).

I'd always thought of yoga as a "new age" type of thing, but in recent years had several friends remark about the stress-relief benefits they'd experienced in going to yoga classes. After attending a class myself, I think, as with so many things, it's the intent and focus with which you do it, rather than the act itself--does that make sense?

(Plus, I'm hoping the additional stretching will succeed in making me taller!)

#71 - Hike Piestewa (Squaw) Peak

Starting out with flashlights, my friend Chandy and I headed out Thursday morning to hike Piestewa Peak. We had hiked together a few weeks ago (I posted about it here), but we didn't quite reach the summit. This time when we met it was early, EARLY and still dark, but we were determined to make it to the top so I could check #71 off my list. Chandy is an awesome hiking buddy (thanks girl!) and within 35 minutes we were as far as we had gone last time (we even went faster than before!).

There's a little bench and resting area at the .9 mile marker, so we stopped for a moment so I could take some photos, then we started the challenging hike to the top (which took another 20 minutes!).

That last little bit was harder than all the rest put together--it's not that far, but a LOT more vertical!!! But it was so worth it!

And don't think this is the end! For the past two weeks I've also been hiking South Mountain with my brother's family--the weather has been beautiful here in Phoenix and I'm really developing an appreciation for the outdoors, the good exercise, and the great conversation that hiking with friends and family brings!

One Foot in Front of the Other

This week I hiked Piestewa (Squaw) Peak. I didn’t quite reach the summit, but it was within view (or would have been if the clouds weren’t in the way!). Regardless, it was something I hadn’t done before, took me way outside my comfort zone, and prepared me for my next venture when I hope to complete #71 on my list.

With a mug of day-old coffee, a banana and a water bottle I headed out into the cool, DARK, morning. Being able to just get up, throw on some sweats, tie my shoes, comb my hair, brush my teeth and head out the door was quite invigorating. I was right out there with rush hour traffic, but I wasn’t headed to work—it was a great feeling (although later I did eventually have to head to the office).

There are several trails in and around the Piestewa Peak area, but my hiking buddy, Chandy, and I hiked the Summit Trail:

Length: 1.2 miles (we hiked about .9 miles up—almost to the summit)

Elevation: 2,608 ft. – 1,400 ft. (hikers gain more than 1,200 feet in elevation on the trail)

Difficulty: Strenuous and difficult (this isn’t just me people—this is what the City of Phoenix site says!)

The morning was gorgeous, though cloudy and slightly misty. It was more dark than light when we started out and I was glad to be following an experienced hiker. I was also wondering if I should have brought my flashlight (when we first started out I could see the bobbing lights of other hikers up on the summit), but we were fine.

The cool breeze was absolutely refreshing (how often do you feel a “cool” breeze in Phoenix!?!), and the hike was great. The low-hanging clouds added to the ambiance and the peacefulness of the morning and it was beautiful.

Piestewa Peak is part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves—watch out for the wildlife though. We didn’t see any, but possibilities include rattlesnakes, gila monster, horned lizard, chuckwalla, coyote, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, ground squirrel, and kit fox. I think sometimes I’m surrounded by so much “city” that I forget that I do live in the desert.

I’ve never been a big hiker (or a hiker at all despite having lived in Montana and Colorado—big nature states), but this experience has started to change my way of thinking. It was a gorgeous morning, I spent quality time with a friend, I did something good for my health (and didn’t fall and make a fool of myself), rush hour traffic getting there wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, folks were super-friendly on the trail—all in all, it was a big success and a lot of fun!