Guest Post - My Yoga Teacher Journey

I am so excited for today's post!  My little sister Miranda is sharing all about her journey to becoming a Yoga Teacher!  I am insanely proud of her for going after this dream of hers! Thanks, Miranda for sharing your journey with us! 

It never ceases to amaze me how people have such strong opinions about Yoga. Including, if they practice yoga, the studio they sweat at, , types of classes, and all the accessories (I can’t stop buying yoga clothes). I had never really been a “yogi”- I always saw yoga as a waste of a workout because “if you weren’t sweating and doing cardio, you aren’t getting a workout."  Enter Yoga Sculpt at Core Power Yoga (CPY)! My friend Lindsey is an avid sculpter and lived next to a studio. She convinced me to come along one day and I was INSTANTLY hooked.

What made it different? It took the principles of yoga but added weights and cardio all while being HEATED to 93 degrees. It was high intensity, heart pumping, with all the jams you could ever want.

I started going religiously- I am talking 5-6 times a week. Somehow, I still couldn’t bring myself to go to a “real” yoga class. It seemed too zen. At this point I felt pretty part of the CPY community and met some bad a** instructors. One of which really encouraged me to attend teacher training. I was at a point where I wasn’t feeling challenged at work, I had some big personal life changes and thought “why not? I am not committing to teaching.”

Our crew from YSTT (Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training) graduation! 

Through the 5 weeks of Teacher Training and then 4 weeks of extensions- I met AMAZING people, learned so much about myself, took my first “real” yoga class and pushed myself way outside my comfort zone.

We invited friends to take free classes and with each session I felt more confident in my knowledge and ability to teach and LOVED it. So much so that I decided to teach!

Friends that came to our free classes!

I started teaching at YogaFit and the YMCA and am honestly so happy with it! I was so scared before my first class, what if I forget my words, what I if I sound like an idiot. And then I remembered the class isn’t about me- it’s about my students having a great work out, fun, and doing so in a safe way. If I keep them at the center of my mindset all will be okay!

Two of my instructors/mentors/friends and boyfriend at my First class! 

I am so thankful to the CPY community for building me into the teacher I am and for providing me a great foundation! I think Yoga Teacher Training taught me to go outside my comfort zone and live my life in the most authentic way.

What is stopping you from taking that next step in something you want to do?

Hope you all enjoyed this post, again thank you Miranda for sharing your journey with us!    For those in the Minneapolis area that are interested, Miranda teaches Monday/Tuesday at the Minneapolis YMCA and Saturday at YogaFit in Northeast!   I am taking her class in a few weeks at YogaFit, I am so excited! 

Papa Wolfe's Classic Pancakes

Pancakes are always a crowd favorite in my house, and I don't make them nearly as often as I should!  Whenever I make pancakes I always think about weekend mornings growing up!  Growing up my dad was the pancake maker in our house, and weekend mornings were usually reserved as pancake day!

Pancake day was always a favorite of mine.  Probably because of all the memories that were made around my parents kitchen table while munching on pancakes (and also because who doesn’t love chocolate for breakfast).

So today in honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, I want to share with you my Dad’s Famous pancake recipe.  Whip up a batch this weekend for the special guys in your life!  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did/do!

Papa Wolfe’s Classic Pancakes
1 Large Batch! 

Ingredients

Dry –

1 Cup Flour

2 Tablespoons Sugar

½ Teaspoon Baking Soda

¼ Teaspoon Salt

Wet –

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk of Choice (add more in small amounts if you want thinner pancakes)

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

For Serving - 

Maple Syrup

Butter 

Peanut/Almond Butter 

Cookie Cutters - Fun for kiddos, my sister and I used to cut shapes out of our pancakes and thought it was the best thing ever! 

Directions- 

1 – In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients and stir until combined, set aside.

2- In another small/medium bowl combine all wet ingredients and stir until combined. 

3- Gently pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and whisk together until combined, and there are no lumps in the pancake batter.

4- Pour 1/4 cup batter onto a hot lightly greased griddle/skillet.  Flip pancake once tiny bubbles form.  Cook on second side until done through.  Remove from griddle and place a square/slab of butter on center of each pancake (nothing better then hot pancakes, with melted butter).  Repeat step 4 until pancake batter is gone.  

Note - I like to warm my oven slightly and place cooked pancakes in oven (on plate) to keep warm while I make the rest!  Serve pancakes warm with favorite pancake toppings!  See suggestions above! 

Global Running Day

**Disclosure - The below post contains affiliate links.  Which means I will receive a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.  Clicking the link is no cost to you.**

Happy Global Running Day!

  

First Stroller Run of 2019! 

I love running, and recently shared this post on how my relationship with running changed after having Theodore!  But today, in honor of Global Running Day, I wanted to share with you my must have gear for Summer running!   These are the items/things I reach for the most when heading out for a Summer run.  I have also included a few things I take with me on my run depending on if I am running solo or taking my tiny running buddy with me!   

1st Female Overall - Stillwater 1/2 Marathon 5k 2019

Enjoy and Happy Running!

Clothing/Gear

Shorts/Tank  -

• Hot Summer days require running in a tank and shorts!  Lululemon  tanks and shorts are hands down my favorite!  I love the Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank and their Run The Line Off IV 2 Way Stretch (4”) Short!  I know Lulu can be a bit on the pricier side, but their workout gear seriously lasts! 

Good Quality Shoes –

• Good running shoes make the world of a difference in your running, and I highly recommend checking out your local running store so you can get properly fitted!  I have been fitted several times at Mill City Running in Minneapolis, and think they do a fabulous job!  A few of my favorite running shoes both past and present are the Brooks Launch and the Nike Pegasus. 

SPIBelt –

• If I am running solo without Theodore and the Bob (Running Stroller) I love to wear the Large Pocket SPIBelt!  It’s a great lightweight belt that I can stash my house key, ID/Credit Card and cell phone in while I am running outdoors!  I love the SPIBelt so much that I actually own two of them! 

Sun Protection

A Good Hat –

• When I first started running I found that I hated my hair in my face especially as I got sweatier and sweatier on my run.  At first I tried headbands to keep my hair out of my face, but I could never find one that stayed in place.  So in came my love for running hats!  I love running in a hat because not only does it keep my hair out of my face, but it also helps shield my face/eyes from the sun!  I love ones that Velcro in the back so I can easily adjust the hat to fit my head!  Under Armour, Lululemon and Nike make some great ones!     

Sunglasses –  

• As I mentioned above I love running in a hat, not only because it keeps the hair out of my face, but for the added sun protection for my face/eyes.  However sometimes a hat isn’t enough and sunglasses are needed!  So on top of running in a hat, on extra sunny days I will even run in sunglasses!  My sister gave me a pair of Goodr Running Sunglasses for my birthday and I am in love with them!  They are light weight, and don’t bounce around while I am running!  Plus they have a ton of styles! 

Sunscreen-

• As I have gotten older I am starting to realize/understand the importance of Sunscreen!  Don’t get me wrong I am not great at always remember to wear it, especially when I am in a hurry to get my run started.  But when I do remember to put my SPC on I love Beautycounter’s line of Sunscreen!  Beautycounter’s Mineral Sunscreen lotion is my favorite.   It goes on smooth, rubs in nicely and smells great!   

Misc -

Water Bottle –

• If I am doing a solo longer run outside 10-12 (but lets be honest, that isn’t happening as much anymore!), I love to carry a hand held water bottle!  I really like the Nathan, QuickShot Plus Hydrating Flask.  It is a small handheld water bottle that fits the palm of my hand well and doesn’t get to heavy!

Misc Items for Theodore!

• Now that I have a little running buddy, I also need to think about him when we head out the door for a run.  I always pack a water bottle/sippy cup of water, snacks (banana, small crackers, granola bar), and small toys for Theodore when we hit the road/trail for a run! Most of the time he is happy cruising along in the running stroller checking out the scenery.  But other times he wants toys/snacks/water!  I also always have kid friendly music easily accessible so I can play that for him if he gets bored!   Oh and Sunscreen, can’t forget that!

What is your must have gear for Summer Running?