Five on Friday
July 1, 2022
“Yoga is the practice of being close to yourself, no matter what is happening within or around you.” — Elena Brower
One: Practicing Yoga and the Yoga Retreat
I started a regular yoga practice about ten years ago. I found an instructor I liked, and I enjoyed my weekly classes. At the time, I was running a few times a week and going to Barre classes at Exhale. Yoga was an excellent addition to my fitness routine. I had practiced yoga a few times before I added it weekly, but I didn’t fully commit to the practice.
During the summer, many studios offer outdoor classes. I love an outdoor yoga class.
I recommend trying a yoga retreat if you already have a regular yoga practice or even if you are new to yoga.
I went to a Kripula retreat in February, and it restarted my dwindling weekly yoga practice.
Read my post about my experience at Kripalu: https://lifestyleofafashionista.com/2022/07/01/practicing-yoga-and-the-yoga-retreat/
Two: What to watch
Netflix:
Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 – You can now watch all of season 4. I’ve only watched one episode, and I was confused but intrigued. I’m ready to continue watching the remainder of the episodes.
Prime Video:
The Terminal List – It’s an eight-episode series starring Chris Pratt as an avenging Navy SEAL trying to find out what led to the death of much of his platoon. Unfortunately, the reviews are not great but don’t let that deter you if you are a Chris Pratt fan or a fan of a military action genre show. From CNN, “Amazon has flexed its muscles with military-style action series (see “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” and “Reacher”), but “The Terminal List” adds a numbingly simple-minded revenge saga to that subgenre. Despite the promotional benefits of featuring star-producer Chris Pratt as a grittier kind of avenger, this brutal eight-episode slog squanders its talent in front of and behind the camera.“
Hulu:
The Princess (Hulu Original) – From IMDb, “When a strong-willed princess refuses to wed the cruel sociopath, she is kidnapped and locked in a remote tower of her father’s castle. With her vindictive suitor intent on taking her father’s throne, the princess must save the kingdom.”
From Entertainment Weekly, “Don’t mess with The Princess: From the first moments in the trailer for the upcoming Hulu action-comedy (launching July 1), it’s clear that Joey King is not playing your typical daughter of the crown. She’s no damsel in distress waiting to be saved, but a warrior ready to take up arms — which is exactly what drew her to the role.“
The Old Man – From Vanity Fair, “Perhaps June’s biggest hit, FX’s The Old Man has already been renewed for a second season after just weeks on the air. Starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, it’s a slick spin on a classic spy thriller, with impressive set pieces and playful dialogue. Per FX, the show had the biggest premiere of any basic-cable drama in well over a year, as well as the most-watched opening weekend of any FX on Hulu premiere to date. Waiting for awards-season business to die down served it well—though a June start was hardly assured. Due to health scares for Bridges and inevitable COVID delays, production took over two years to complete. The Old Man aired as soon as it could, if much later than intended.” The first four episodes are available on Hulu as of June 30th.
HBOmax:
Last Night in Soho – from Vulture, “Edgar Wright’s trippy thriller is finally hitting streaming. It stars Thomasin McKenzie as a young fashion student who experiences terrifying visions of a glowing woman (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). While the second half of Last Night in Soho gets a bit messy, it’s still a great pick for a fun Saturday night in. Plus, the film features the last performance by the late Diana Rigg. (Streaming July 1.)“
Peacock:
“If you haven’t watched the Tour de France cycling race in a while, this is a good chance to get back in the saddle. Streaming July 1-23, the iconic race has never looked better, thanks to technology like GPS-tracking aerial cameras and transponders to monitor each rider. Add the stunning French scenery and it’s a spectacularly immersive viewing experience. And don’t worry: While each stage may be up to six hours, Peacock will offer daily highlights to wrap up the action.” From MarketWatch.
Tour de France 2022: full team-by-team guide
In Theaters:
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU (2022), PG, 1 hr 30 min. From Rotton Tomatoes, “Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.”
THE FORGIVEN (2022),1 hr 57 min, From Rotton Tomatoes, “Speeding through the Moroccan desert to attend an old friend’s lavish weekend party, wealthy Londoners David and Jo Henninger (Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain) are involved in a tragic accident with a local teenage boy. Arriving late at the grand villa with the debauched party raging, the couple attempts to cover up the incident with the collusion of the local police. But when the boy’s father arrives seeking justice, the stage is set for a tension-filled culture clash in which David and Jo must come to terms with their fateful act and its shattering consequences.” Starring Jessica Chastain and Raulph Fiennes
MR. MALCOLM’S LIST (2022), PG, 1 hr 55 min, From Rotton Tomatoes, “When she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm (Sopé Dìrísù). Feeling humiliated and determined to exact revenge, she convinces her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm wonders whether he’s found the perfect woman…or the perfect hoax. Also starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Park, with Theo James.”
Three: What to wear
Comfortable Yoga clothes: (to be worn during yoga or anytime you want to be comfortable)
Women:
Shop at Athleta, Yoga
Shop at Lululemon: Yoga Clothes
Men:
https://www.theyoganomads.com/what-do-men-wear-to-yoga/
Four: What to Try
Tongue Scraper:
I’ve read about tongue scrapers before but decided to try one after attending the Kripalu yoga retreat. We learned tongue scraping is part of the Ayurveda practice.
This $9 Tool Has Reportedly Helped Over 55,000 Amazon Customers Say ‘Goodbye To Funky Breath’
I love adding this step to my morning oral care routine. I brush my teeth, scrape my tongue and use a Waterpik before eating breakfast. If you wait to brush your teeth, here’s an article that supports brushing before your meal (you can brush after your meals as well but I like cleaning my mouth when I first wake up): Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Breakfast?
Five: What to do
Meditate:
If you are new to meditation or want to ease your way back into your practice, try a couple of simple, self-guided meditations:
Outdoor meditation:
We practiced a short outside meditation while at my Kripalu yoga retreat. You are device-free; you listen to the sounds around you and observe nature. I enjoyed this self-guided meditation and have tried it several times on my walks.
Morning or Evening Meditation with a hot beverage:
My friend Charity, a mindfulness and meditation specialist, has another simple practice for you to try:
“I often hear from people who don’t have time to meditate. What if you had time in your day while you were sipping your coffee? I notice many people in the US get their hot beverage to go, especially on their commute to work. Not taking the opportunity to be present with it. There are many forms of meditation. Meditation practice does not have to be sitting in a lotus position with your eyes closed. One of my favorite types of meditation practices is sipping a hot beverage. Most often it is coffee but on a cold winter night, I enjoy tea. I take time to be present while enjoying the beverage. There is something about holding the mug that grounds me and brings me to the present moment. I invite you next time you have your favorite hot beverage of choice take some time to be present with it. Enjoy the beverage as a meditation by following these steps;
Hold the beverage in both hands.
Feel the warmth of the cup/mug
Smell
Breath
Sip
Breath
Taste
Breath
Close your eyes
Breath
Observe how you feel
Breath
Repeat as often as you need and time allows
Enjoy “
Visit her website for more information: http://meditatingtogether.com/ and check out her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/MeditatingTogether/
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