working out, Caribbean style

So, I've come to the realization that I'm "not in Kansas anymore"...I don't get up at 6am and walk my dogs on a leash 2 miles through the neighborhood, get my yoga and Pilates in before 7:30am, and get my day kicking like being shot out of a cannon anymore.
Dogs can be leash free on the beach and I do my daily meditation/yoga/Pilates routine outside on my deck at 5:30 am (I love it!) under the stars before the sun rises (on an island, that's one hour before the weather channel says). When Rasa is done with school, we snorkel to relax and exercise, and explore. The best reefs are just outside our back door.
But, what I recently discovered is that people, here, love being outside: spin classes bring their bikes outside, overlooking the beach and there's a public "park" for working out. At this park, there's a track, outdoor gym equipment, a stadium for sporting events (baseball and soccer is big here), batting cages and tennis courts. It's busiest times are early evenings, after 4:00pm. All ages are running, walking, playing, working out.....then walk home. We actually have sidewalks throughout the town! The coolest thing I've seen are old (I mean OLD!) men riding bikes through town, and we have some wickedly steep hills here. It's really pretty awesome to watch and be a part of.

Inward first...

A good friend once told me, "inward first; outward second". On a spiritual level, I understood what he meant. But, in my new living situation, I am finding that getting "mindfully fit" is key to being "physically fit". 

My new morning ritual, since I moved to the Caribbean, is to get up at 5am to sit and listen: hearing the coquis, the birds, the trade winds blow, the waves crashing on the shore. Then, watching the sky change from dark, starlight to indigo blue into sunrise glow, smelling the scent of the Caribbean Sea. 

Once, I've awoken my senses, then I am set to start moving my body; my yoga practice can now begin, followed by my Pilates practice. My new ritual has more rewarding benefits than when I would run out the door to dog walk 4 miles at sunrise.With a calmer mind, my workouts are more conscious, therefore my body is more responsive.

"Inward fitness first; outward fitness second!"

working out in the dark

I am finding my new groove, now that I live in the Caribbean: working out before the sun rises. I am so fortunate to be able to go outside to the sound of waves and coquis (frogs) each morning, watching shooting stars from my back porch. But the serenity of my family and neighbors being asleep is something I am appreciating more and more. It becomes "my time".
I get my yoga blanket and mat outside and start my practice before the sun rises. It's the greatest connection I have with myself.....before the troops awaken.
My yoga and Pilates workouts have gotten gentler, yet stronger, with greater results. No blasting music, no instructor yelling at me.....it's only me, listening to me (what?!). The calm I have found during that time has kept my metabolism strong and steady. In other words, my stress free time is not draining my adrenals.
So I look forward to 5am everyday to "my time", and I think my family likes me better for it.

holidays: quality vs. quantity

The holidays are truly a time of celebration and indulgences. Whether it is food, drink, parties, it all often results in guilt and resolutions. But, I find that often, the indulgences are a form of stress relief. For about a week each year (aka the "holiday season"), we give ourselves permission to let go of the daily grind and get a free ticket to "cut loose".  Consequences will often ensue.
So, conversely, this year, stress was non-existent in our new environment; relaxation and fun was to be in the forefront. Presents were wrapped, sent, hidden and the holiday season began to unfold. How indulgent it felt to not "give" to the point of exhaustion. Quality of time won over quantity of presents, food and drinks. I highly recommend it. This year, it saved us time, energy, calories, money and our sanity. I think my family kinda liked me better too.

Connecting the dots

As I look back at my former fitness routine, the goal was strength and endurance (muscularly and stress relief). In contrast, my current, pslower gentler lifestyle has slowed down the "power training" to strength and flexibility training with meditation in the forefront.
So..... Working out and stress counter-acted each other before. Now, calm and gentler paced exercise has kept my metabolism at the same rate as before, without burnout. Go figure? Common sense, right?

A quieter routine

As my life changes in my new surroundings, my focus on fitness has changed. My slower, gentler lifestyle now has taken on a new direction.

 I now get up at 5am, not because I "have to". 

I have this addiction to watching the starry skies change to daylight. So I sit outside and watch the stars, stare up at the Milky Way and wait for falling stars while listening to the waves in the background. As the sky changes in light, I catch the indigo lit sky transform. My meditation starts with my headphones, as I listen to 108 Tibetan mantras (maybe 3 times until my head is clear and an Abraham Hicks audio meditation). By the time I open my eyes, there are usually white cranes flying and a rainbow over the water emerging. 

A gentle yoga practice at sunrise awakens my body and stimulates my brain: slow and steady and deep. 

Two hours of bliss and quiet and my day begins...

mindfulness and balance....Caribbean Style

So, now I live in the Caribbean. My lifestyle has changed immensely since my last blog entry.
In one month, I have redefined "mindfulness" and "balance": Mindfulness, to me, now means to start and end my day with gratitude and whatever went on the day is to be whatever it was and get a fresh new start "mañana". "Balance", now means that maybe not being gluten-free today (replacing it with pan agua - water bread) can be made up by being gluten-free tomorrow. Balance, Caribbean style?