Don’t Know Until You Try

in All Posts

Ashtanga surprised me!  And guess what… I think I surprised the instructor.

 

I managed to get into Embryo pose!  It involves putting your legs into Lotus, threading your arms through your legs, and bringing you hands to your face. 

Garbha Pindasana

(Source)

 

As I always do when trying anything new, I introduced myself to the instructor and told her that I had never done Ashtanga yoga before but was familiar with yoga in general.  She came up to me several times throughout class to give advice and stretch me into position, which was so nice.  But then… I totally started to “get” Ashtanga!  It’s basically holding a lot of stretchy poses and not as cardio based (although there were TONS of up-down dog series in the 90 minute class).  I couldn’t do them all, obviously, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I could do.  So was my teacher!  Guess you never know until you try!

 

Post-yoga lunch:

IMG_2322

Lovin’ my Perfect Baked Tofu recipe today!  Especially because I used a gourmet dark honey that the Husband picked up at Marshalls a few weeks back.

IMG_2319 IMG_2316

If you’re scared of tofu, make my Perfect Baked Tofu recipe.  It’s so simple and you really can’t go wrong.

IMG_2324

With roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and Bone Suckin’ Sauce on the side:

IMG_2325

Hope you Saturday is going well!  :)  I’m just enjoying the beautiful weather and relaxing on my patio.  Perfection…

{ 54 comments }

 

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete September 18, 2010, 2:13 pm

    We are out enjoying the weather as well! It is nice and cool here in MN, the sunshine is warm but the breeze creates the perfect Fall feeling. I love it!

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • Freya (Brit Chick Runs) September 18, 2010, 2:16 pm

    Good job on the yoga- that position sure doesn’t look comfortable :p
    What yoga type is cardio based?

    • Caitlin September 18, 2010, 2:23 pm

      the hot vinyasas and bikram are definitely cardio ish!

      • molly September 18, 2010, 3:04 pm

        personally I don’t enjoy hot yoga. For me, I find that it feels difficult only bc of the heat and the poses don’t actually do much. (i realize that is totally a ‘to each her own’ thing.) however, I have a couple teachers I know who arlways give a hardcore workout. Call a studio and ask which teachers give the kind of workout you want.

  • Anna @ Doing Good & Living Well September 18, 2010, 2:17 pm

    Those roasted taters look amazing! I’m so craving them now.

    Enjoy the gorgeous weather — it’s beautiful here today too.

  • rachael September 18, 2010, 2:19 pm

    You do never know until you try! Ashtanga was my first yoga love; since it is a set series my body began to just know what to do so I just moved with my breath and cleared my mind. I used to call Ashtanga my happy hour. I am also the lovin’ the fall weather. Have a great weekend!

  • Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) September 18, 2010, 2:19 pm

    Good job on the pose! Have a wonderful Saturday 🙂

  • Kristina @ spabettie September 18, 2010, 2:21 pm

    I don’t feel like I could get into that pose today… I just got back from a run and feel not noodle like 🙂

    lunch looks fab… I love baked tofu!

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks September 18, 2010, 2:22 pm

    I’ve only ever done Yoga once. I’m so inflexible that I couldn’t do that much of it and was drenched in sweat from what I did try to do. I’ve been meaning to go try it again, but I get so nervous being so hideously bad at things in front of others! I know, it’s silly…they’re strangers after all. I’m just a tad bit neurotic about things! =P

  • Sana September 18, 2010, 2:23 pm

    🙂 I LOVE how easy it is to make baked tofu. Err.. I mean it is easy to watch the boy make baked tofu. Either way there are yummie times in my belly 🙂

  • elaine! September 18, 2010, 2:25 pm

    Ashtanga is probably my favorite flavor of yoga! I remember surprising my first yoga instructor. I couldn’t even touch my toes, but I could totally get into lotus. (Probably because as a kid I’d sit in half lotus rather than Indian style.) So I asked her one day if I was doing it wrong because it seemed so easy. I showed her, and she said, “Yeah, that’s great… it took me six years to get into full lotus like that.” Ha! Happy weekend!

  • Evan Thomas September 18, 2010, 2:32 pm

    Oh my, that pose… there are days I have trouble touching my toes

  • emily September 18, 2010, 2:32 pm

    Congrats on your new achievement! That pose looks very bendy and fun 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) September 18, 2010, 2:36 pm

    So glad you enjoyed the class! Makes me really want to get into it! Lunch looks perfect too. Enjoy your afternoon!

  • Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat September 18, 2010, 2:38 pm

    Wow, that looks like a complicated pose! You must be really flexible! Congrats on learning and accomplishing that new pose!

  • christina cadden September 18, 2010, 2:41 pm

    I might just have to try your tofu recipe!

  • Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) September 18, 2010, 2:46 pm

    Well done at yoga! I can’t believe you managed to get into that pose. My gosh that honey looks dreamy; so dark and flavourful.

  • Maren September 18, 2010, 2:48 pm

    Congrats on the great yoga class! hope you have a relaxing day.

  • britta @ jadeshakti September 18, 2010, 2:51 pm

    You go girl! I’ve been practicing Ashtanga for a little over a year now and alllways skip over the embryo pose -hurts my back when I roll on the floor! Keep it up! It’s a great practice 🙂

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write September 18, 2010, 2:59 pm

    Holy cow. I cannot believe you did that pose. That doesn’t even look like the body should be able to do that. :p

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) September 18, 2010, 3:09 pm

    Ouch to that yoga pose. I’d definitely pull something.

  • Amy Ramos September 18, 2010, 3:28 pm

    Ha! I made your baked tofu last night for dinner with some stir fry veggies. It was EPIC. I made so much, there are plenty of leftovers that I will mix it in with some brown rice!

    Speaking of yoga, my yoga studio is offering a free class this afternoon in honor of National Yoga Month (this month). I can not wait!

  • Little Bookworm September 18, 2010, 3:28 pm

    Congrats on the yoga pose. It definitely looks an interesting pose!

  • Caitlin September 18, 2010, 3:33 pm

    Holy stretchy! I would love to get into yoga to become that flexible, but I’ve yet to find a type that I enjoy.

  • eatmovelove September 18, 2010, 3:36 pm

    Yeah wow. I can’t cross my legs…

  • yummiee cupcake September 18, 2010, 3:41 pm

    that’s a beautiful and classical pose.

  • emptynutjar September 18, 2010, 3:47 pm

    If I bend over I cannot touch my knees…seriously.
    I never do yoga…I know I could and should, but I can’t focus!

  • Gina September 18, 2010, 3:48 pm

    Congrats on getting conquering the pose! It’s such a rewarding feeling!
    That tofu looks delicious, and it’s so simple to make! I’m definitely trying it 🙂

  • Julie (Etsy Stalkers) September 18, 2010, 3:53 pm

    i’m going to have to try your tofu recipe. my go to recipe is coating tofu with breadcrumbs and stir frying it in a little bit of olive oil. yummers.

  • Camille September 18, 2010, 4:01 pm

    Holy cow! That’s quite the pose!
    My boyfriend just looked at the picture and said, “THAT DOESN’T SEEM POSSIBLE!” Oh boys… 🙂

  • Amy H September 18, 2010, 4:04 pm

    How do you roast your brussel sprouts? They look amazing!

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black September 18, 2010, 4:08 pm

    Your brussel sprouts look delish. I love roasted veggies! Congrats on your yoga accomplishment!

  • Jess @ atasteofconfidence September 18, 2010, 4:26 pm

    Your veggies always look so good! Glad you enjoyed yoga!

  • Jenny @ JennyLikesToRun.Green tea and yoga, not alcohol and parties September 18, 2010, 5:01 pm

    Yum yum yum, your perfect baked tofu is something I am yet to try! I made tofu burgers last night, but in hindsight I wish I’d tried your tofu recipe instead.
    Well done for achieving that pose!! Isn’t yoga gratifying when you manage to push yourself further than you originally thought you were able? 🙂 I have a growing yoga addiction.

  • Emily September 18, 2010, 5:23 pm

    That pose is ridiculous, go you!! I love that about yoga, sometimes poses just totally work with your body and you feel so incredible confident and flexible 🙂 I am trying your perfect baked tofu recipe for my next batch…just began my transition to vegetarianism!!

    • Caitlin September 18, 2010, 5:46 pm

      Wahoo! Go Veg!

  • Maren September 18, 2010, 5:45 pm

    A similar thing happened to me in college. I’d grown up playing basketball and running track but nothing else. I’d never touched a soccer ball or even ran the length of the field with other players. But I enrolled in the Soccer PE class for fun. I went to the instructor and told him my situation, most of the students were actually on the college team and I was feeling so out of place. After three classes I was almost as good as the college players. I didn’t know any of the rules or nuances of the game but I just followed my instincts. I was actually asked if I wanted to walk on the team.

    Having moments like this really inspire you to try new things and keep with new experiences you might not have ever gone back to.

  • Heather September 18, 2010, 6:21 pm

    Wow what a pose, congrats on rocking the new class!

  • MoniMeals September 18, 2010, 6:29 pm

    Wow! Well done on that pose! Great lunch too. Enjoy your Saturaday, sounds like you are!

  • Heather September 18, 2010, 6:30 pm

    wow, a human pretzel! I dont think I could ever do that one haha

  • Katie @ peacebeme September 18, 2010, 6:56 pm

    I love love love tofu! One of the few foods I actually get really excited about. Your recipe looks amazing and I have been meaning to try it for awhile. Unfortunately no one else in my family likes it so I usually just have to settle for getting it at every restaurant I can, but maybe I will just have to make that for myself and have leftovers! 😉

  • SuccessfullySlim September 18, 2010, 7:12 pm

    I’ll have to give that baked tofu a try. I’ve never thought of baking it before! Lately I’ve been trying different cake recipes with tofu blended in for moistness and protein. I have a great chocolate date cake recipe with tofu in it, delish!

  • Jessica (Fit and Clean) September 18, 2010, 7:48 pm

    I can’t believe you got yourself into that pose! That is amazing, LOL! I’m lucky I can touch my toes! I love brussel sprouts. I have yet to meet anyone else that does! And they’re so good for you!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) September 18, 2010, 8:56 pm

    girl, i am IMPRESSED. seriously, that’s amazing that you got into that crazy hard pose! but you’re right…you really never know til you try 🙂

  • Rachael September 18, 2010, 9:42 pm

    I’m always amazed at the simple athleticism of Ashtanga. It’s the first type of yoga I experienced, and as much as I love practicing and teaching my hot varietals, part of me wants to go back and cultivate a deeper Ashtanga practice.
    Congrats on your pose!

  • Karen September 18, 2010, 11:36 pm

    Wow! Getting into that pose is totally impressive! Congrats:)

  • shelley September 19, 2010, 5:31 am

    That embryo pose looks insane! Very impressive!

    Also check out my blog, I nominated you for an award 🙂

    • Caitlin September 19, 2010, 10:33 am

      thank you sweetie!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Camille September 19, 2010, 11:48 am

    Enjoy the game!

  • Amber K September 19, 2010, 12:36 pm

    I can’t even force myself into lotus, let alone embryo! That’s awesome!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey September 19, 2010, 8:35 pm

    That is one kind of crazy pose!! I haven’t really gotten into yoga too much, but last week I did it 3 times off of Exercise TV – I was surprised how much I could actually do. I loved it!!

  • Kristy September 20, 2010, 10:54 am

    Yay! I cant wait to actually get into crows pose and do a head stand without help 🙂

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point