Face the Sun Yoga and Fitness

12/12/2020

Get outside and be playful!! This morning went out for a hike super early. We went to a waterfall that ended up being just a trickle. It was so beautiful to listen to. It sounded just like rain.

Being outside and interacting with nature is medicine for my body, mind, soul and relationships. What is your movement medicine?

03/12/2020

Avocado, arugula, olive oil, slivered almonds and salt on a thick slice of sourdough loaf. Table runner by my beautiful mother. You can find her work on Etsy username The Quabbin Quilter.

07/11/2020

I frequently come back to this book when I feel lost. It helps me determine where I stand and gives me a good place to start healing and growing. I highly recommend it.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
~ by Don Miguel Ruiz

07/11/2020

Hold on to your inner strength and stand up for truth and justice, even when it feels insurmountable.

24/10/2020

No challenge, no change!

We have this mantra of no pain no gain and it has gotten us away from identifying where we are and what we need to do to go to the next level. We think, if I’m not in a lot of pain, I must not have worked out that hard. If I don’t do full pushups, it just means I’m not pushing myself enough. NOT TRUE!! We are much more likely to find lasting change if we accept where we are and identify what our next challenge is. That will also prevent injury and synergistic dominance, which is what happens when you aren’t activating your prime movers and your helper muscles take over leading to muscle imbalance and injury.

I started last March not being able to do more than 5 “real” pushups. It made me think, how can I be in the fitness possession and not be able to do pushups! Well first, that’s a load of crap, but I really wanted to get better. I started just trying to do regular pushups only, even if it was only one or two but I got frustrated. So I started to do different kind of pushups and shoulder stability exercises. I progressed through pushups on my knees, with my hands elevated, shoulder shrugs, banded pushups. I also did a lot of core stability and integration work. Today I am able to do 15 “real pushups” in a row.

What’s your challenge?

19/10/2020

Stay playful!!! Don’t be afraid to look silly or fall down. Life and movement are more fun when you see them as an experiment and not like a test you need to pass. Outfit by photo by

20/09/2020

Got out and moved with my girl this morning! It was beautiful outside and we had so much fun! Definitely feeling it in my body - I challenged my muscles but not so much that I feel too tired for the rest of my day. I finished energized and excited for the rest of my day plus I got to hang with a good friend! How did you move today?!

10/09/2020

All about them angles! Have you ever seen a picture of yourself and gotten discouraged? Did you think, do I really look like that? The answer is probably yes and no. We are 3 dimensional beings and photographs are 2 dimensional. These photos were taken the same day but from different angles. If I only posted photos like the one on the left, you might not know that I have a belly. Guess what... we all have bellies!!! They are full of juicy life-sustaining organs that help us digest and sort through what we need and what we don’t. So many of us try to spend time trying to get rid of our bellies that we forget how important it is to nurture them, no matter their size. They all need food. They all need us to balance our nervous system so they can have the energy they need to process our food. They need space to expand and contract as we go through the process of digestion. There are definitely days I wish my belly was smaller or more toned, and maybe it will be but my job is to love my belly right now the way it is and to not seek to hide it away from the rest of the world. So give your belly some love!!

10/09/2020

Inspired by the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market! If you are in a position to do so, consider checking out your local market for seasonal food inspiration! Support local agriculture even if you only get a couple of things! @ Santa Monica Farmers Markets - Wednesday / Saturday

05/09/2020

Find the joy of moving! One way I love to move is by doing cartwheels!! They aren’t perfect, but they sure are fun.

05/09/2020

Been cooking at home and this week’s experiment : Two raw plant based meals a day. It took a little prep and I’ll admit I had some snacks in between that didn’t fit the criteria but it was fun to try! I noticed that I had a lot more energy this week and felt more awake.

Breakfast: overnight oats with sliced peaches and pecans alongside a protein smoothie with banana, spinach, mint, and pineapple.

Lunch: Red cabbage salad with mixed greens, cabbage, edamame, red belle pepper, cucumber, carrots, cilantro, peanuts, avocado and peanut/ginger dressing.

It can be difficult feeling like we’re eating the “wrong” food or the “right” food. The truth is, there is no wrong or right! It’s all about how it makes you feel.

05/09/2020

Hi! My name is Sara and I love to move and play outside! For so long my fitness journey felt like a chore. I was down on myself for not fitting a certain mold. I felt like it was my fault that I didn’t look like “everybody else.” The truth is, we all live in different bodies and there is no formula to looking a certain way. When you begin a journey you can never be sure of the exact outcome and most of the time, lasting change happens slowly over a long period of time. That’s why there is so much value and worth in finding movement and activities that you enjoy. So grab friends, family, or find some space for yourself and think about ways you like to move!