Cat Larimore Cat Larimore

On hot yoga.

Cat Larimore — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:14:04 +0000

Getting sweaty in hot yoga // illustration by Cat Larimore

If you were in my class last Monday, I did a little trash-talking on hot yoga which I now want to retract. But first let me quickly explain the different types of “hot yoga”:

Bikram Yoga is a trademarked sequence of poses (26) which are done in a very specific manner with a specific dialog in a room heated to a specific temperature and humidity (I want to say 105°).
Hot Yoga can either be a slightly modified version of the Bikram sequence; the teacher just hasn’t paid their giant fee to be able to call it that, OR a sequence that is more Hatha based that is just done in a heated room
Some of the “Hot Yoga” studios in town (Heat, Betsy’s) have classes on their schedule called Warm Vinyasa or Power Hour/Flow.

On Bikram

The Bikram sequence is actually a beginner’s sequence that is mainly about flexibility. There are zero poses done on your hands (no chaturangas! no down dogs!) but since the room is so crazy hot, you sweat a ton, and your muscles are able to get really deep stretches. You sweat before you even start moving in one of those rooms.

On Warm Vinyasa, Hot Power Flow, etc.

The Warm Vinyasa and Power classes I have tried around town have been classes like mine, with down dogs and chaturangas, but heated to the same crazy hot temps (maybe slightly cooler, like 95–100°). These are the classes I don’t love. The heat just seems unnecessary and stifling—we build heat with sun salutations and challenging standing poses; we don’t need external heat!

On Power Yoga and When Heat is Used Appropriately

However, during my last workshop with Bryan Kest (founder of Power Yoga), I noticed I was sweating more than usual as we flowed. The next morning before we got moving, I overheard him ask the studio owner to turn off the AC before we got started (it was July). The room wasn’t heated, but we didn’t have artificial cold air blowing in, allowing us to get good and sweaty by the end. And it felt fabulous.

While I was in Nashville over Thanksgiving, I found a great studio called Epic Yoga where I got to squeeze in a couple of classes. These classes are modeled after Baron Baptiste’s Power Vinyasa Yoga where the room is to be heated (Epic heats to 90°). I was sweating more than usual and was glad to have my Yogitoes towel, but I noticed how much more open my body felt during class—full wheel has never felt so good—and how rejuvenated I felt after!

So I’ve decided heated yoga isn’t so bad, as long as the heat is tolerable. It’s hard to get into a good flow when all you can think about is passing out!

Wednesday night Power Yoga

It’s a good thing I decided this, because Jessica Santos, who currently teaches the Wednesday night heated Power Flow class at Yoga East Holiday Manor, is going on maternity leave soon and I’ll be taking over her class (January-ish).

If you want to get a taste of what it will be like, stop in this Wednesday night, 11/28, or 12/12; I’m subbing for her (sign up online)! It’s a 90-minute flow (6–7:30pm). I’ll heat the room to about 85° just to get things loosened up a bit. Hope to see you there!

Namaste,

Cat

Listen, Ashtanga, it’s time I see other people.

Cat Larimore — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:29:31 +0000

The first time I met you, Ashtanga, it was September 11th, 2011.

I thought a “led class” would be easier than the “Mysore-style” class, which was self-led at your own pace. Boy was I wrong. I had brought a towel and a water bottle into the class me… as if there is time for breaks!

Ashtanga, you stunned me. I thought I was in good shape. I thought I knew a lot about yoga. But you were different. So many chaturangas. Everyone moved like they could do the sequence in their sleep. I was intimidated and intrigued and had to have more.

This has been a tough but rewarding relationship. I’ve been injured. Frustrated. I dragged myself out to the studio on cold rainy mornings so I could start my practice by 6am. I hated Marichyasana D and then rejoiced when I finally got the clasp. I learned that I’m not a natural tucker. I discovered a ton about my body’s strengths and weaknesses, and how I can work through injuries in a safe way, that I’m a “twisty” person. I learned self-discipline. I made friends in this weird I-don’t-know-your-name-but-see-you-every-morning kind of way. I got crazy strong veiny arm muscles.

Ashtanga, it’s been a fun year, and I am incredibly fond of you. I am seduced by second series and the possibility of figuring out how to jump straight into Bhujapidasana from Downdog. But I don’t think I can commit to you at this point in my life.

As a teacher, I need to be fluent in many languages of yoga. I need to get myself out there and take in as much yoga as I can from as many sources as possible. I want to study and practice Power Yoga more because it’s the style of yoga I was initially entranced by and what my style of teaching seems to be evolving into.

I hope I’m able to maintain the physical and mental strength you’ve given me in the last 12 months. I know you’ll always be there for me on days when I need you. It was nice to have you in my pocket when I wanted to just practice some yoga down by the lake on my recent vacation.

Maybe I’ll be back someday, but I need this break to know for sure whether or not it’s meant to be.

Much love,

Cat

Summer recipe obsession: Rice Paper Rollup

Cat Larimore — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:49:54 +0000

I could eat this every day and is ridiculously easy to make. I found the recipe on Pinterest but it’s so easy that I tossed the recipe after the first time I did it. It only takes about 15 minutes of prepping and making and then you have a light, tasty, and healthy no-cook meal for a hot summer night.

Here’s stuff you’ll want to ahead of time.

Get yourself some rice paper rolls. In Louisville, I found these at the St. Matthews Kroger (a.k.a. “Yuppie Kroger”) in the international section. There are like 50 of these little circular sheets in a container.
Stock your fridge with fresh veggies. I use lettuce (red romaine, romaine, whatever you have on hand… but probably not baby spinach), carrots, avocado, cucumber.
Gather a bunch of basil and mint from your garden (or buy it at the Yuppie Kroger).
Purchase Frank’s Sweet Chili Sauce (or make your own dipping sauce… I’m not that hard core).

Then when it’s Rollup time… My husband and I each eat two rollups a piece.

Wash a bunch of lettuce, your basil, and mint. I use about 1-2 pieces of lettuce per roll, about 3 basil leaves, and about 3-4 mint leaves.
Chop up your cucumber, carrots, and avocado. For the cucumber and carrots, thin sticks about 4 inches long would be ideal but we just chopped and it was allright.
Set up a wide shallow bowl with warm water and a clean, flat, kitchen towel alongside all your filling goodies.
Dip one piece of rice paper in the water for a few seconds so it goes from being crispy to being flimsy. Lay it on the towel. Repeat with a second piece and lay it directly on top of the 1st.
Place lettuce, basil, mint, cucumber, carrots, and avocado in roll in the front-center. Leave room around the edges for rolling/wrapping, like you’re making a burrito.
Roll-up! Lift the front part of the roll (this stuff is sticky and sort of stuck to my towel, but it pulls off if you are gentle). Bring the paper up and over your filling and try to tuck all the fillings as tightly into your roll as possible. Then lift each side up and pull it towards the center, closing up the ends of your roll. Then finally, continue rolling towards the back of your towel so you have one rollup. Repeat.
Serve with a small bowl of dipping sauce and enjoy!

Nom nom. Now I want to eat these RIGHT NOW.

Let go of that which does not serve you.

Cat Larimore — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:27:52 +0000

Freedom after letting go. Pen & watercolor by me.

Today, I started a new job. My hours are slightly longer. The office is farther from my house. The job will be much more challenging and busy so I will have less time for blog reading, tweeting, pinning, etc.

This is a very good thing. My brain, just like any muscle, was beginning to atrophy. I’m ready for this fresh new challenge.

However, in order to cope with the added stresses of my new lifestyle, I need to do something I often instruct my students to do:

Let go of that which does not serve you.

On the mat this means any tension you’re carrying, a pose that’s so challenging it makes you frustrated, a memory of a fight that is still angering you, a breath you’re holding in.

For me, it means letting go of little things that take up my valuable and limited time. I need to be able to devote quality time and attention to my work, to my husband, my friends and family, my sanity, my health, and my house.

This means:

Fewer blog subscriptions (just checked; I have 138).
Unsubscribing from stupid email lists that I don’t have time to read (daily Yoga Journal emails… ugh)
Allowing this blog to be silent until I feel compelled to write. I’m currently thinking of combining my yoga and art blog into one at this domain, but I don’t really have time to think about that right now.
Saying “no” to requests for freelance design
Sadly, it might mean giving up my Monday night yoga class. Trying to get there today after work (longer commute!) was a little hellish.
Hiring a cleaning lady. Seriously, cleaning is the very last thing I want to do. I would rather weed or mow the lawn than clean a bathtub.

Yoga is going to remain a very big part of my life, but with this new chapter, it might mean more practicing and less teaching.

Speaking of which… gotta get ready for bed to make Mysore by 6:00 tomorrow morning!

Namaste,

Cat

Yoga Music: 3/18/12

Cat Larimore — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:08:19 +0000

My class takes a much deserved Balasana (child's pose) after a rigorous flow.

Yoga Playlist for my Vinyasa class, 3/18/12:

Opening, Gentle warm-up

Lull // Andrew Bird
Free to Run // Gomez

Sun Salutations, getting moving

Under African Skies // Paul Simom
Sun it Rises // Fleet Foxes
Beast of Burden // The Rolling Stones

Flowin’

Change // Blind Melon
The Cave // Mumford & Sons
Sounds Like Hallelujah // Head & the Heart
Eyes of the World // The Grateful Dead
California Stars // Billy Bragg

Coming down / Floor poses

Thinking About You // Radiohead
I’m Standing In The Light // Dr. Dog
The End // Pearl Jam
Angel From Montgomery // Old Crow Medicine Show
Landing Field // Calexico
Morning Yearning // Ben Harper

Savasana

Shanti (Peace Out) // MC Yogi

Hope you enjoy!

namaste,

cat

Yoga for Athletes at VO2 MultiSport

Cat Larimore — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:22:30 +0000

This past Monday, I stepped foot inside VO2 MultiSport for the first time. To me, this is a hidden gem in St Matthews, although I have a feeling that serious tri-athletes, marathoners, and swimmers already know all about it. There’s a great retail store in the front when you first come in, but what makes this facility special is the training room in the back.

I was there for a free Yoga for Athletes class offered Mondays from 6:30-7:30 PM taught by Dana Skrodzki.*

It makes sense that VO2 offers a yoga class being that their motto is:

VO2 specializes in the three areas of multisport, with one mission – to help athletes get the most out of every breath. TRAIN HARD. BREATHE EASY.

We yogis are all about the breath!

The space is not your typical yoga studio with bright lights and sunshine and incense burning. It’s an old garage/warehouse that they’ve spruced up that mostly serves as a cycling practice room. It was dark, edgy, manly – and I loved it.

The training room where the yoga magic happens.

There appeared to be some regulars – athletes who are spending 90% of their time cycling or running who want to balance out their rigorous training with some stretching and strengthening. Dana took us through some great balance poses, hip openers, lots of planks (ouch!!), and some great shoulder girdle strengthening exercises. The vibe was casual and fun, the music was upbeat, and Dana was a riot.

It’s a great yoga class if you’re not interested in all the “Oming and chanting” you might associate with other yoga classes (although not all yoga classes are like that). If you’re interested in checking out a class, give them a call or email them to secure a spot in class – they can only fit a limited amount of yoga mats in there!

I’ll be subbing for Dana this coming Monday, February 26th. So come by to see me AND see the space!

131 St. Matthews Avenue
Louisville, KY 40207
502.290.7433
info@vo2-multisport.com

Hope to see you Sunday morning (my last $5 class!) or Monday night (it’s FREE people!)

cat

[photos taken from VO2 MultiSport's Facebook Page]

*Sarah Ayers has also regularly taught the class but is currently tending to other obligations in life; she is still given credit on their homepage.

Effort Now, Benefits Later

Cat Larimore — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:35:45 +0000

How I felt this morning

I woke up this morning feeling bloated, tired, and stiff. It took every ounce of willpower to get myself out the door and to the studio for the Mysore-style Ashtanga (read about different yoga styles here). Once I showed up on my mat, I thought everything would magically fall into place and it would be my Best Practice Ever.

Ha! “Good one,” my body said to my brain. I went through the motions of the Primary series, but couldn’t focus. If I had a hard time with a bind or a deep forward fold, I didn’t work on it; I just let it be and moved on. My jump back from Bhuja Pidasana was a big sloppy mess. The opposite of this:

As I left class, I confessed to my friend Grace, a classmate of mine from the yoga teacher training at Yoga East, how I had totally half-assed my practice. Grace, in all of her infinite wisdom, said:

At least you showed up. That is what matters. You put the effort in now, and you will reap the benefits later.

Just a few simple words made me feel like my morning had not been a complete waste.

Grace teaches a $5 community class on alternating Thursdays at the Yoga East Kentucky Street studio. You should go to her class so you can bear witness to her wonderful Graceisms.

The end!

Namaste

Cat

Yoga Music: 2/19/12

Cat Larimore — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:32:07 +0000

Yoga Playlist for my Vinyasa class, 2/19/12:

Opening, Gentle warm-up

Buddha’s Lullaby // Manose
Lifeboy // Phish

Sun Salutations, getting moving

Let Down // Radiohead
We Are Young // fun.
Don’t Carry it All // Decemberists

Flowin’

Starlight // Muse
Instant Karma // John Lennon
Sigh No More // Mumford & Sons
Time to Move On // Tom Petty
Over My Head // Fleetwood Mac
One For Me, One For You // Bright Eyes

Coming down / Floor poses

Sneaker Pimps // Sneaker Pimps
Solitaire // Wilco
The Trapeze Swinger // Iron & Wine

Savasana

Shanti (Peace Out) // MC Yogi

Hope you enjoy!

namaste,

cat

Yoga Illustrator: Annick Poirier

Cat Larimore — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:45:05 +0000

Yoga Journal uses illustrations in every issue, and always for their main articles on philosophy. I am always taken by Annick Poirier’s whimsical and colorful illustrations. I love how she combines realism with abstract shapes, graphite rendering with flat blocks of color, and knows when to just leave a shape empty and flat.

Beautiful work. Go see more of her work for Coca Cola, Volkswagon, and other major players at her website, www.AnnickPoirier.com.

If you love pretty yoga pictures (illustrated and photographed), check out my Yoga Pinterest Board! Weee!

namaste,

cat

Map of Louisville Yoga Studios

Cat Larimore — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:42:48 +0000

Great Googly moogly (pun intended), there are a LOT of yoga studios in Louisville. Looks like someone needs to open one in the West End!

Click image for the full clickable, driving-directionable Google Map and as usual let me know if there are any errors, additions or omissions.

Namaste!

cat