Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

In My Yoga Zone

Gush! Yoga was seriously the BEST ever this morning!

I know I get all excited and say things like that all the time, but this morning it really was aaaamazing. I’m working really hard on standing back bends and hand stands and the room was very hot and steamy and Jen (our instructor) blasted loud instrumentals the whole time. I was definitely in “the zone” and my body definitely melted into some new limits.

Then during savasana, Jen read my absolute favorite poem of all time, which I used to have taped to my wall in my dorm room in college and included it in my senior poetry portfolio. It’s just so powerful that I want to share it here now.

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice–

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

“Mend my life!”

each voice cried.

But you didn’t stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do–

determined to save

the only life you could save.

I don’t know if y’all know this, but I concentrated on poetry in college with my creative writing degree and with that, we studied a lot of Mary Oliver. She, along with Elizabeth Bishop, are my two favorite female poets. This poem just hits me to the core.

After class, when we were getting ready to leave, Jen comes up to me and was like “Jenna, I read that poem for you today…I just felt like you needed to hear it!” How crazy cool is THAT?! Gives me goosebumps. Thanks, Jen!

So anyways! Back to the food. Before yoga, I had an apple and string cheesie:

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And post yoga, delighted in this lovely Kashi meal

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+ a half cup of vanilla oikos with a Udi’s sprinkle! πŸ™‚

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I currently sitting here still sweaty from class so I should probably hit the showers. Got a project to work on this afternoon and then bible study tonight.

Be back!

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  • Sara
    September 16, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    I’ve tried that new Kashi meal and it was great. Really enjoying all their new meatless products. In fact, I bought it again the other day and might have to take it out for a 2nd spin today at lunch — yours certainly hit all the bases!

  • Cait (Cait's Plate)
    September 16, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Oh YAY! I’ve been dying for someone to review this Kashi meal because I’m so curious to try it. I’m glad you liked it! I have to pick it up asap.

    I’m so jealous of your awesome yoga classes!

  • Tay
    September 16, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    How sweet and perfect of her to read that poem πŸ™‚

    So that Kashi meal was good and worth buying? I’ve seen it in the stores, and wanted to try it out since it’s new!!

    Have a fabulous day!

  • brandi
    September 16, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    what a beautiful poem, and how cool that she thought of you πŸ™‚

  • Rachael
    September 16, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Love your blog! Mind if I link to it on my blogroll? I just started a new blog and am gleaning much inspiration here!! πŸ™‚

  • Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
    September 16, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Mmm, I’m so excited to try that new Kashi meal! I recently went vegetarian and I LOVE Indian food. Seems perfect for me πŸ™‚ Glad you had a good yoga sesh.

  • Leianna
    September 16, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Sound likeyou had agreat morning!
    That kashi dinner looks good, haven’t tried Indian before!

  • AshleyP
    September 16, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Glad you had a great practice!

    I haven’t seen that channa masala up here yet! I love taking those Kashi meals for work lunches- can’t wait til I can try it πŸ™‚

  • Jessica
    September 16, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Awww! That is so moving, about the poem. I want to do some hot yoga right now, as I am cold and sick and it just feels like a yoga/soup day. haha.
    -muffy

  • Stephanie
    September 16, 2009 at 3:09 pm

    Not a big frozen meals person – but this one looks pretty decent… anyone else tried it? Is it good? If not, I trust Jenna’s taste! πŸ™‚

  • Samantha
    September 16, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    That Kashi meal look really good. I will def have to pick one up for an emergency meal. It’s amazing how some people just know when you need to hear something familiar!

  • Dawn (HealthySDLiving)
    September 16, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    That was so great that she read that poem for you! πŸ™‚ Glad you had such an amazing practice!

  • Amber
    September 16, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Yoga always gives us what we need but sometimes it is extra special. That poem is beautiful, I’ve copied it down to paste in my journal. Amamzing how in tune yoga teachers can be, yesterday my shoulders were tied in knots and wouldn’t you know our yoga class focused intensely but gently on working out those shoulders.

  • Food Makes Fun Fuel
    September 16, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Kashi meals definitely have the best presentation for out of the freezer food

  • Weekly Bite
    September 16, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    What a great poem! Thanks for sharing it with us!

  • Kristin
    September 16, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Hi Jenna- awhile ago I emailed you because your strength after your brother died was inspiration to me. My 2 year old has brain cancer and your blog always helps give me energy and faith. I hope you don’t mind, but I have started my own blog because of your impact. It is going to be about books, faith, and my son’s battle. I hope you will check it out: http://thereaderschat.blogspot.com/.

  • Angharad (Eating for England)
    September 16, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    Yoga + indian food = perfect! Nice afternoon you got there! Can’t wait for my yoga class tonight now!

  • jess
    September 16, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Hi Jenna. So, this may sound stupid to some but do I keep seeing paper plates in your posts? I think it is important to be mindful of not only the impact our diet/ eating habits have on our bodies but the environment as well.

    • jenna
      September 16, 2009 at 4:02 pm

      Jess,

      Yep..I understand. We actually don’t have a dishwasher though so sometimes you take some and you lose some…sorry!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
    September 16, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    That kashi meal looks really good – how did you like it? πŸ™‚

  • MMiller
    September 16, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    Jenna, you are truly an inspiration to us all! I have been eating steel cut oats every morning! I make a batch once a week! Heat some up in the morning with some almond butter and agave and a splash of almond butter! If I don’t have them for breakfast, I am hungry all morning! I had never heard of almond butter until I started reading your blog! And you always have me craving the healthier food!

    Thank you!

  • christie, honoring health
    September 16, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    Wow, sounds like a really powerful yoga class. I love the classes that shake me to the core on a mental, physical and spiritual level!

  • Danielle
    September 16, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Love the poem! Definitely some good inspiration for us all.

    Yoga + Inspiration is the best. : )

  • Lizzy
    September 16, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    i have to get into yoga more! so glad that class was great, and that poem was so beautiful! πŸ™‚

  • alex
    September 16, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    love mary oliver! thanks for your continuous healthy and energetic posts! you have a great life attitude which is contagious. i always appreciate the times you bring in your faith life as well!

  • Susan
    September 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    I’m sorry Jenna, but poetry is one of the reasons why I changed my major from English to journalism! You can like it enough for the both of us πŸ˜‰

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
    September 16, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I’m so glad to hear about the yoga class! It’s so nice when you really feel the benefits of your practice. And that poem is just lovely… thank you so much for sharing it! πŸ™‚

    I haven’t tried this Kashi dish yet! Sounds so good!

  • angieinatlanta
    September 16, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    I’m glad you had a meaningful practice today!

    You make me wish I could get into yoga!

  • K
    September 16, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    I need to try that Kashi meal ASAP!! Anything that involves chickpeas just has to be good, right?!

  • Kristen @ Frostingandfroth.com
    September 16, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    I really wish I could get into yoga. I just feel like I’m not flexible enough. I just can’t get into some of the poses and I feel so frustrated sometimes. I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through your yoga joy, Jenna. πŸ˜‰

  • Kathleen
    September 16, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Jenna,
    I just wanted you to know that I loved the poem. It made me cry. I have struggled with bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, and eating disorders for ten years. I was just hospitalized for a suicide attempt and although things are still hard, I have realized in the last few weeks how important it is to love myself, something I have never been very good at. That poem just epitomizes what I am working on right now in all of my therapy – that I have the RIGHT to love myself and that I have to have the courage to do so because the only person who can save my life is me.

    I’m sorry if this is kind of heavy but I am just so glad you put the poem up there, it renewed so much inspiration in me today!
    I love your blog and read it every day! Keep it up!

    Kathleen

  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    September 16, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Gotta love when people know exactly what you need to hear. I’m hoping to try my first hot yoga class this afternoon and I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. So happy!

  • Megan
    September 16, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    Beautiful poem, Jenna. Thanks for sharing!
    I so did not know Kashi made an Indian frozen dinner! How cool πŸ™‚ I always stick with Amy’s Indian meals, but now I will be on the lookout for that Kashi one!
    Have a lovely time at Bible study!

  • Kristin (Kristin's Nibbles)
    September 16, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    What a powerful poem! I love it.

    And a new Kashi meal? YUM!

    xo
    K

  • Jenna
    September 16, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    lovely poem! have a nice time at bible class tonight!
    jenna

  • Rachel
    September 16, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Had never heard this poem before. Thanks so much for sharing, it really strikes a chord.

  • Emily (A Nutritionist Eats)
    September 16, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    I haven’t seen that Kashi yet, yum!

    So cool that you are on the same page with your yoga teacher. πŸ™‚

  • Butterfly
    September 16, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    Thank you so much for posting that beautiful poem. I had never heard it before, and I think it is absolutely lovely.

  • Erin
    September 16, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Love, love, LOVE Mary Oliver! Being from New England, we studied her a lot in school as well and her poems are just so beautiful. Thank you for posting that – it’s so true!

  • Molly
    September 16, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    I’m in college and just really discovering yoga (i’m a runner at heart). I had dabbled in it a little bit before, but now I’ve moved on to doing 20 minutes on most days. i definitely want to continue to deepen my practice, but just this taste of me astonishes me. my body feels great, my spirit feels great. it’s amazing how yoga speaks to whatever you’re feeling that day!!

  • claire
    September 16, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    I had one of the Kashi meals last night…the southwest chicken and it was SO good! This one looks great, too.

  • Cyndi
    September 16, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    Love the poem

  • BroccoliHut
    September 16, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    Ooh! Must find that Kashi meal!

  • Morgan (lifeafterbagels)
    September 17, 2009 at 12:10 am

    Oh, that warmed my heart! She knew you need it. Do you ever feel like our friends and family know us better than we know ourselves some days?!?!

  • Ellen (Peace In Motion)
    September 17, 2009 at 6:08 am

    I’ve always wondered if those kashi meals are any good. Beautiful poem, and so lovely that she read it for you!

  • Lauren
    September 17, 2009 at 7:25 am

    What did you think of this Kashi meal? I just bought it myself and I plan to try it next week, but I’ve been sooooo curious to see if anyone else has tried it and what they thought? It looked really good, but sometimes, you never know! πŸ™‚

  • Lisa
    September 17, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Jenna, just printed the poem and hanging it up right above my computer monitor. Thanks for posting it. It’s beautiful! (I might have to print off a copy for my home-office, too!)

  • Anne Marie@her new weigh
    September 17, 2009 at 10:51 am

    I love that poem! Thanks for sharing it!

  • Jenna
    September 17, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Hi Jenna –
    I have been reading your blog for a few months now and had to smile when I came across today’s. The Journey is my favorite poem as well and it got me through some really crazy times hanging on my fridge, pinned up in my dorm room and as the focal point of a college autoethnography. Now at 22 as a recent college graduate I hold it near and dear as I start a new journey! Hope the rest of your day is equally as fabulous as the first part!

    Best,
    Jenna