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A Perfect Morning and Good Friday Discussion

Happy Friday!

I slept like a rock last night. Maybe it was because I opted out of Thursday night yoga at Laughing Lotus with Theodora for wine, bath salts, and a long conversation with my mom via phone instead. In case there was any question, I am 100% human and don’t always feel like working out. When my body screams at me to do other things, like chill out, I have found that it’s often best to listen.

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Are you all off today in honor of Good Friday? Our office isn’t closed today due to other holidays we have off but I decided to take a half day since Bo has the day off.

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I woke up bright and early to meet Theodora at Uplift Studios  for Michelle’s Uplift Strength class. Even though 6:30 is early for a Friday, I swear it is such a fun way to kick off the day!

After the class I dashed home so I could shower before meeting Bo at 71 Irving Place, our favorite neighborhood coffee shop. We spent the next few hours working side by side each other while sipping on delicious, frothy coffees and their yogurt and granola breakfast dish.

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Even though I was able to get through a lot of work, including going through and sorting half of the thousand emails in my work inbox, it was so relaxing to work in this atmosphere for a change. After a few hours at Irving, a co-worker and I ended up meeting to work on some projects together and talk through a few things. Not too bad considering it’s only 2pm!

Bo and I are heading uptown to walk through Central Park, check out a few exhibits at The Metropolitan Art Museum, grab a cocktail, and then head downtown for dinner at The Marrow. We’ve wanted to try The Marrow since we read about it on Grubstreet and here about it from many of our other friends.

Discuss: Do you think having a corporate holiday for a religious holiday, such as Good Friday, is an out of date practice?

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My New Sunday Routine

Lately, my Sunday routine has changed for the better. Instead of spending the day lazily at home and rarely fitting in a workout, I’m out of the house by 10:30 each Sunday ready to start my day with a stretching, detoxifying sweat.

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Now, two weeks in a row, I’ve started my Sunday with the 11am Strala Yoga strong class. Each class is different than the last and none have followed a standard vinyasa routine. In fact, both have started with a very challenging abdominal series and ended with a longer than normal shavasana, complete with lavender aromatherapy.

Over the years I’ve tried just about every type of yoga studio in the city: the hipster, the spa like, the strenuous, and the down right boring. For me, yoga will never be my primary form of exercise but instead cross training. My goal while I’m on the mat is to relieve stress, lengthen my muscles, and become more limber.

Strala Yoga is the perfect yoga destination for people looking for yoga without all the added incense, oms, and meditation. While this aspect of yoga is important to some people, this isn’t essential for my practice.

What’s important to me is that a studio or class is small enough that you feel like a person and not a number while also providing time for ample adjustments during class.   048 010

This morning Melissa and I twisted our way through another wonderful detoxifying class alongside a weekend visitor, Kath! I know Kath practices a lot of yoga so I was weary of brining her to this studio, unsure whether it would meet her expectations. Luckily, she loved it!

009 After class we answered Kath’s bagel craving at Ess-a-Bagel.

001Even though the line was longer than expected, the delicious, warm freshly made bagels made up for it. The very “New York” crusty interior also added to the experience, especially the dirty chandeliers.

002 003 The whole wheat everything bagel with low fat vegetable cream cheese was a delicious treat paired with our great conversation about New York’s different neighborhoods and the unbelievable rent costs.

From there Melissa and I gave Kath a tour of Gramercy area, my favorite part of town. I’m a bit partial since we live in Gramercy but every time I show someone the neighborhood I fall more in love with it.  It really has everything that you could wish for in New York City: wide sidewalks, quiet streets, wonderful architecture, a gorgeous park, delicious restaurants, and welcoming bars. We took Melissa to our favorite coffee house, 71 Irving, for a latte and warmth as the wind was gusting far too much for our cold faces.

007 008 011 Our lattes were the perfect way to warm up while exploring the neighborhood before parting ways for the afternoon. 

Now it’s time to shower before heading out for some more afternoon fun.

Don’t forget to enter the Friday the 13th Gaiam giveaway!

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Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge

 

I’ve walked more in the last three days than ever before! After another long day of walking, all we wanted was a tub of cold water, Epsom salt, and a refreshing glass of wine.

IMG_4584 Our day started early with another trip to 71 Irving Place.

They have fallen in love with the amazing service and refreshing brews at 71 Irving Place. We especially love that one of their managers went to UGA and sports a UGA hat everyday! GO DAWGS! They take great pride in delivering beautiful lattes everyday!

Next on the to do list was convincing Mom and Dad to ride the subway down to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall. I forget that the subway can be intimidating and a bit closterphobic for people who don’t experience it daily. Dad was nervous the entire time.

IMG_4507 I couldn’t wait to share one of my favorite NYC experiences with my parents.

IMG_4510 The Brooklyn Bridge adventure is an easy one to enjoy with out of towners and allows them to cross multiple things off their list:

-Visit Brooklyn

-Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

-Have a fun photo shoot

-Enjoy amazing views of New York

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The first time we took on this endeavor we followed some great tips we found online:

  1. Enter on the Manhattan side of the bridge, near City Hall, from Park Row and Centre Street. To get there, take the 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall or the J train to Chambers Street.
  2. Go up the concrete ramp. Once you hit the wooden planks, you’re officially on the bridge.
  3. Make sure you stay clear of the bike lane! The Brooklyn Bridge is often crowded, and cyclists have little concern for meandering walkers.
  4. Enjoy the views. You’ll be able to see some of Manhattan’s most famous structures, including the Woolworth Building and the Empire State Building, from the bridge. Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, which will appear on your right.
  5. When you’ve had your fill of walking the Brooklyn Bridge, exit on the Brooklyn side.
  6. When you exit the bridge, go south on Front Street until you hit Old Fulton Street. Turn right. Grimaldi’s is located at 19 Old Fulton St.

Today we weren’t in search of pizza; just a good workout and lots of photos. The bridge is 1.14 miles each way and includes wood planks and inclines so I highly recommend comfortable clothes and shoes.

We took our time today and took in the history lesson available via the signs.

IMG_4512 We stopped to pose for both fun and silly pictures! My dad keeps mom and I both very young proving that age isn’t important!

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IMG_4535 IMG_4539 My dad thought it would be fun to imitate the impatient bikers who were constantly yelling and honking. I love that my dad is 61 years young and can’t help but smile!

My dad imitated the yoga moves he saw mom and I doing last night.  IMG_4541 Mom and I continued our yoga moves with some warrior 1 on the bridge. My mom is searching for a beginner level yoga DVD. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

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When the temperature rises, be sure to hydrate properly.

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Realize that the no makeup and natural sunshine look is beautiful!

IMG_4529 Take a break at the tope to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic views!

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Our adventure lead us through Brooklyn after the bridge as we had to search for a bathroom and then some cold water. After our morning hike we were STARVING! My dad used his Droid and Trip Advisor to find our lunch spot. I’ll admit, I had doubts and felt as if I was going on a wild goose chase but his find was a hidden gem in the middle of the Lower East Side. I don’t have time to share now as we’re sitting down to watch a movie together but I’ll leave you with pictures from our afternoon lunch and adventure!

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Happy Sunday!

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