Tag Archives: yoga

May 28 2013
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Cycling, Food, Inspiration, Ironman, Running, Triathlon

8:18, croissants, 90 miles, and 2 months

Or what I learned from my weekend of training:

  • Maintaining an average pace of 8:18 for 3.1 miles of running is possible!
  • 50 miles into a ride, coffee and a chocolate croissant is heaven and will render me speechless
  • I have decided that I would really like to have croissants in my special needs bag for Ironman Lake Placid
  • I am quite chipper after 90 miles on the bike and once I reach 90 miles, I might shed a tear of joy/disbelief/shock and awe
  • Quassy Rev3 70.3 is in 5 days and Ironman Lake Placid is 2 months away and it’s starting to feel real. This weekend’s long ride got me really really excited for the first time — and I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s donations and support! You can support my fundraising campaign for CTF by clicking here.

 

Coffee. Croissant. Can't talk.

Coffee. Croissant. Can’t talk.

Weston Memorial Day 5K - running in the rain!

Weston Memorial Day 5K – running in the rain!

90 MILES!

90 MILES!

 

 

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May 11 2013
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Food, Food & Wine, Health & Wellness, Uncategorized, Yoga

Summer Saturdays! Pop Up Yoga NYC comes to CT

Screen Shot 2013-05-06 at 3.55.32 PMIt’s entirely possible that I love wine just as much as I love yoga so it goes without saying that I’m quite excited about this upcoming series of yoga classes & wine tastings that I will be leading next month in CT. Click the image to read more about it or click here for the Eventbrite page where you can also order tickets. Classes start the first Saturday in June at 4:30pm at Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit in Westport, CT.

It should also be noted that dogs are welcome!

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Jan 11 2013
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Health & Wellness, Inspiration, Yoga

Words to go by in the new year…

A year from now you will wish you had started today. - Karen Lamb

A year from now you will wish you had started today. – Karen Lamb

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Dec 22 2012
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Events, Recipe, Yoga

Pumpkin Chia Mini Muffins

Pumpkin Chia Mini Muffins

Pumpkin Chia Mini Muffins

I made these for Tuesday night’s Pop Up Yoga NYC ‘s yoga and nutrition fundraiser to go with the chia theme and they were a hit! I love all things pumpkin and these were especially tasty – great texture, not too sweet, and packed with protein and fiber in every bite. Personally, I “tested” 4 as a snack and then had leftovers for breakfast (slathered in butter) the following morning. That’s right. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chia Mini Muffins

  • 4 tbsp Chia Seeds (I think I added even more- you can play around with it- I was very generous with my chia)
  • 1 Cup Coconut flour
  • 1/2 Cup White Flour
  • 2 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
  • 2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt (I did not use)
  • 16 oz can pure pumpkin
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2-1 cup coconut milk (either Silk or SoDelicious brand- play around with portions but I probably ended up needing about 1 cup to balance the coconut flour)
  • 1/4 cup Agave (or even less!)
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts (optional)

Mix together all of the dry ingredients.
Mix together all of the wet ingredients.

Fold Wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Pour into greased muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Yoga and chia were enjoyed by all at Tuesday's fundraiser!

Yoga and chia were enjoyed by all at Tuesday’s fundraiser!

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Dec 14 2012
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Yoga & Chia Power Event – to benefit Sandy relief in Staten Island

On Tuesday, December 18 I will be teaming up with Pop Up Yoga NYC, Chia Star, Pushcart Coffee (Peter’s Field loc.), SandyBaggers, and fellow health coach Steph Miller (www.hecticandhealthy.com) to provide an evening of yoga, wellness, and fundraising to support a local business in Staten Island – Not Just Bagels.

I will lead a 40 minute calming vinyasa flow class which will be followed by an informal discussion and Q&A of our featured product – Chia Star. Steph and I will explain why we love chia and it’s amazing health benefits! Chia seeds have been dubbed “the running food”, “a miracle”, and “the ultimate super food” by athletes and advocates alike.

In keeping with the grassroots culture of SandyBaggers, we are donating the proceeds from the event to a small, independent fundraiser.  “Not Just Bagels” in Staten Island was one of many family-owned businesses obliterated by the storm;  in addition to having their homes ruined, their only source of income was wiped out too. Many people cut their losses and abandoned the properties, but this family is rebuilding because they have no other option. The government and FEMA have not been helpful. A few SandyBaggers met them on-site last month, helped them clear the debris, and now it’s time to rebuild. The fundraiser link is here, to learn more about their story: http://www.indiegogo.com/NotJustBagels

SandyBaggers at Not Just Bagels

SandyBaggers at Not Just Bagels

Details:

Dec. 18,  8:30-10:00pm
Pushcart Coffee @ Peter’s Field – 301 East 21st Street New York, NY 10010

Cost: $15 admission or $5 admission + donated item (all proceeds go toward Not Just Bagels fundraiser)

Suggested donated items: Bottled water, blankets, Non-perishable food, Contractor garbage bags, Cleaning supplies (Sponges, Laundry soap, Dish soap, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, Mold-X), Tyvek worksuits, Rubber work gloves, P100 particle respirator masks.

Email me (maggieconverse@me.com) with questions or to RSVP. You can also RSVP by clicking here.

We hope to see you on the 18th!

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Dec 10 2012
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New favorite post-long run yoga pose…

Pincha mayurasana. Also known as, forearm stand or forearm balance.

Pincha Mayurasana

Demoing pincha mayurasana after a long run with running coach, Milly, at Sherpa in CT.

Ever since I started doing triathlons in 2010, I’ve been fairly consistent in following my long runs (and rides) with a short 10-20 minute yoga practice. These practices typically involve basic poses that get into the psoas, hamstrings, quads, hips, IT band … the usual.

It wasn’t until I was with the Sherpa group out in CT this weekend when I was inspired by the contagious energy of one of the Sherpa run coaches, Milly, to demo and teach forearm stand (she wanted an inversion, but one that did not put pressure on the top of her head like in headstand.)

We first tried L-pose (handstand modification) and then, pincha mayurasana. Milly is a rock star runner and a wonderful yogini because she was willing to jump right in and try the pose. AND, with attention to her form and a little assistance on my part, she got right into it. I wish I could remember exactly what Milly said once she got up, but I can assure you that a) it made me laugh out loud and b) it was a major “Ah-ha” moment.

So, time willing, I will start doing some post-long run pincha – with Milly’s fearlessness in mind!

Why pincha mayurasana?

It’s fun! There is something to be said about a pose that makes you feel like a kid again. Pincha definitely forces me to focus but it also makes me smile, laugh, and feel powerful. Not only do your legs get a break, but you reverse the flow of blood so the heart gets a “rest.”

Click here to read more about pincha (including modifications and prep steps.)

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