Hi all! Hope you had wonderful weekends. Today I alternated Yoga and school & social media work. Busy, but good & productive! So as promised, I have my first guest post, my Mom! If you missed yesterday’s post, I’ll tell you a little about why I asked her to write.
So, as mentioned before, I’m an only child, and a good portion of my years living at home were spent being shuttled to & from and paying for gymnastics. It is a very expensive and time consuming sport and I know my parents sacrificed a lot so I could continue with the sport I was so passionate about. I went away to college when I was 18yo, then moved across the country to Baltimore, MD after college. Around that time my Mom found an athletic passion of her own, martial arts. Frankly, I think it’s pretty damn cool :p So I asked her to write about her experience and what it means to her. So without further ado..
GUEST POST: My Mother!
Hi, I am Alyson’s Mom. She has asked me to write a brief post about my study and practice of martial arts. The back story is.. Having a child away at college is one thing, seeing her pack up and move out to clear across the country was quite another. I guess it is called empty nest syndrome. I was despondent, and in need of distraction. Off to the hairdresser I went. Next door, a dojo had recently opened. I paused to pick up a brochure on Tai Chi and meditation (what I thought was age appropriate at 54yo). As I stood reading it a young man in gee stepped out and asked if I had any questions, as I did, he invited me to step in off the street. I had a very strong impression that I belonged there, except for the scary weapons arrayed on the wall, I was absolutely at ease in this strange and totally foreign place. I signed up for a free trial of two lessons; after which, I believed I had found that distraction.
I went for the 2-month program that was much more than taichi. The first month was mostly conditioning, one day upper body strength movement, another lower body and hip flexibility, the next coordinated blocks and strikes. I was so surprised that I was loving it, walking out of a lesson (6-8pm after a workday), feeling energized as well as wet. I signed up for a degree program before the end of the 2 months. After a year of practicing 2-3 hours, 6 days a week, and learning how to breath while full out moving for 20-40 minutes (major cardio) (doing kung fu, bagwa, taichi .. short forms, self defense, moving meditation, sitting meditation), I watched my body lose years, as well as flab, gain muscle and something I had never owned, coordination.
Ageing disconnects the mind and body, my training was putting it back. Sometime during the second year and getting into longer forms and serious weapons (great for learning focus and accuracy), I found a confidence in being fully grounded in my body and a sense of relaxation in difficult situations.. as opposed to my old companion… anxiety. After a little over 2 years, I was invited to test for a black belt. Now that is BIG stuff! I actually passed, feeling like a kid in a candy store. Knowing one can take care of oneself really does change one’s perspective. That was a year and a half ago, and I continue to love to practice. Though now days, I train 4hrs x 2 days a week, 2 hours x 2 days a week, and working toward a higher degree by further honing skills. I will never be bored… or perfect. It is after all, the journey I love, the destination will always be there and I am in no hurry.
FITNESS .. & Work
Yoga-tastic! I tried two new teachers today. The first wasn’t really my thing, but I definitely enjoyed the second. In between the 2 classes I set up shop at a new (to me) coffee shop, and was so pleasantly surprised to find they had a great selection of tea, drip coffee flavors and sugar-free syrups.. not to mention free Wi-Fi (a must have). I think I may have found my spot 
I brought snacks, but was closely eyeing their display. I predict a delicious looking bran muffin may be purchased in the near future.
Tomorrow’s a good one! After my mid-term (bleh), I’m working out with my Trainer and will hopefully have a chance to get cardio in (have a meeting.. craziness with work interrupting workouts :p) before Yoga.
NUTRITION
I didn’t want to eat too much before Yoga this morning, so I nibbled on a couple Kabocha slices and Vega Vanilla Chai Pudding. It may not look pretty, but I am loving this combo!
Brunch, of sorts, was Fluffy Oats, but not just any oats.. Vanilla Almond Oats. In the mix: 1 cup Vanilla Almond Tea brewed in 1/2 c UVAB + 1/2 c H20, ~1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract, 1 tbsp Sugar-Free Almond Roca Syrup, 1/4 c Organic Oats, 1/8 c Oat Bran, 1/3 c Egg White (whipped separately then folded in at the end). I then top this giant bowl with 1 tbsp Wheat Germ and Blackberries. nom nom nom
Not too surprisingly, I snacked on a few Kabocha slices, 1/3 c Cottage Cheese and 2 tbsp Pumpkin Hummus at the Coffee Shop.
Dinner tonight might look a little familiar.. Swiss Chard cooked with Garlic, Onion and Chicken Breast, topped with Spaghetti Squash and Avocado. I also had a couple Sweet Potato Cheetahs.. but my stomach didn’t want to wait for them to come out of the oven..
Let me just put it out there that I recognized and accept my Squash issues. Case in point.. I currently have a big bowl of Spaghetti Squash, an equally large bowl of Butternut Squash Soup and a medium container of Kabocha slices in my fridge. What can I say, it’s tasty, relatively low-carb deliciousness :p
Naturally I have plans for a healthy dessert.. Protein Fudge is currently chilling
OTHER FUN.. & not so Fun.. STUFF
As you might have seen, Diana from The Chic Life is hosting an Online Bake Sale to fundraise for the America Red Cross Haiti Relief & Development Fund. I’ll be baking one of my all time favorite, Lemon Cookies.. so check it out and be sure to bid this coming Wednesday, January 28th.
It was only the 2nd day and I forgot to do the Moments exercise.. whoops, I must have been more tired than I thought..
Beautiful Moment: People watching before Yoga started this morning. It was such a diverse group of people with positive intentions
Funny Moment: The blind date stories I overheard at the coffee shop today. I wasn’t purposely eavesdropping.. they were sitting right next to me :p
Delicious Moment: Vanilla Almond Fluffy Oats..
And of course, check out my OpenSky Shop when you get a chance!
Fun Links
Good luck with your mid-term! I loved reading your mum’s interview. ‘Ageing disconnects the mind and body, my training was putting it back.’ is something we should all keep in mind. Wonderfull post.
Glad you find your cafe. Sounds like a great spot!
Hi Mom! We love your girl!
Now I’m off to that bake sale. No I’m not. Yes, I am.
Very cool guest post. It’s great to be able to find something you’re passionate about!
I loved hearing about your mom’s experience with Martial Arts. I am a mom of a 12yr old who starting practicing Taekwondo after she recieved her black belt. It is a sport that has really helped me feel not only that I can better defend myself if I need to, but also emotionally and physically stronger. It is a nice balance between my running and horseback riding.
thanks, alyson’s momma! it was great to hear a little bit about what you are passionate about. how impressive! this was so fun to read!
aww this is a great post!! so sweet!!
Martial arts? Really?? That’s so neat! I can just imagine my mom doing that, I’m laughing…
Your mother provided some very good information, nice work! I had no idea there were so many benefits, almost like yoga.
I love your Mom! She’s awesome, hope she pursues her love of martial arts for many more years. Just because one is more mature does not mean you must cease certain activities. You can train your body to do anything at any age!
I LOVE your Mom! She’s awesome, wish I knew her as a friend. I hope she pursues her love of martial arts for many more years. Just because one is more mature does not mean you must cease certain activities. You can train your body to do anything at any age! I took up kickboxing at 50, love it, got super fit, lost 50 lbs and now I’m heading for the competition stage. Being healthy and active can stop the effects of aging or reverse it. I am in better shape now than I was decades ago. GO MOM!!!