Yoga and Running

May marks the start of a few things for me.  This is the month I go to France for a yoga retreat (Yay!) and it is also the month I start training for the half marathon in September.  I must admit that I am pretty comfortable with my kind of exercise routine right now and the thought of really starting to work out again is uncomfortable.  However, I had signed up for both and now is the time for me to start.  I will be doing yoga everyday until I leave for France and I will be running 3-4 days a week starting this week.  I just had to share since this is forcing me to go outside of my comfort zone.  :).

Birthday Fun

Last weekend we celebrated the birthday of one of my good friends.  I will be honest, I did not feel like going out this night.  I got up early for work and just wanted to stay home and relax.  However,  I had made a promise to go to dinner and out to celebrate, so I stepped out of my comfort zone (staying at home in comfy clothes watching TV) and had a great time.  We went to a new restuarant I had never been to before and then went to a relaxing bar after that.  There were 12 of us out that night and it was nice to celebrate with good friends.  At the end of the night I was glad I pushed myself to go! 

Take it Easy

Sometimes the best days are the days spent doing nothing.  Today was a beautiful weather day and I had the day off.  My boyfriend and I slept in, went to a casino, grilled out for dinner, had rosemary sparkling lemonade, had an ice cream taste test and watched a movie.  It was a nice relaxing day. 

Wedding Fun

Last weekend I went to a super fun wedding for one of my friends.  Sometimes it is nice to just let loose and enjoy the night.  That is exactly what we did.  Here are some Photos. 

Taking a Risk

One of my friends is running for City Council here in Columbus, Ohio.  I really admire his ability to take a risk.  He just decided a few months ago that he wanted to do this because of his involvement with the community.  The odds of winning are not in his favor, but he is putting all of his energy into this and taking a risk.  I feel that this is what makes us stronger, the ability to do something that scares us or makes us question if it is a good decision.  I like the idea of just going for it and doing what feels good.  I have had many jobs in my lifetime and I am sure I will have many more.  I could be depressed that I have not fully figured out what I want to do, or I can embrace the fact that I am constantly changing and just go with it. 


I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 

Life Lessons

Below is an article that I submitted to MindBodyGreen to be published on their website.  Since it did not get selected (I am totally ok with that just submitting it was something I would never have done before this blog), I am going to share it with you.  :) I titled it Life Lessons.

I strongly believe that I have a good work ethic. I graduated college, climbed the corporate ladder for a while, started my own business and worked in a high level position at a hospital. All things that I am proud to say I have "achieved". However,  all that changed when I went on a yoga retreat to Italy from a website I found through [https//Mindbodygreen.com] called [https://eat.pray.move.com] Before I went on the yoga retreat, I wasn't sleeping at night, I was depressed, anxious from the constant worry of work, and had recently been put on high blood pressure medicine (at 31). At night I would just sit on my couch consumed with worry about work. I was an unhappy girl and I had no idea what to do. 

At first, I booked the yoga retreat because it was in the south of Italy, the pictures were beautiful, and I needed an escape. What came of it was life changing. The trip was exactly how I pictured it to be, beautiful scenery, fresh food, Yoga by sunrise, Yoga by sunset, shopping, wine, and good connections with the others that had signed up for the retreat. I was reminded that this is what life is all about, feeling good. I was finally starting to let go,listen to my inner voice, and to actually enjoy myself and my life again. 

On day 4 of the retreat I woke up with a major Ah Ha moment. If I am unhappy in my job, stressed, not sleeping, on medication, and depressed, then why do I stay in a job that does not serve me. Why am I keeping this job? Was it for the money? Was it for the status of my position? Was is because my friends and family were proud of me for my recent promotion and I did not want to let anyone down? The answer was Yes, to all of the questions. That is when I realized that I was keeping my job for my ego and for everyone else. I was not doing this for me, I was doing this because this is what I felt like I was supposed to be doing. 

It's a nice feeling when the need to be happy is stronger than the need of the ego. I went home, put in my notice at work and started looking for other jobs.  I changed my outlook and went after jobs I thought would be enjoyable, instead of what I thought I was supposed to be doing. I am now proud to say I work at Whole Foods Market. Sometimes this means I am the one in the parking lot getting grocery carts and you know what, I am just fine with that. It is a happy place that is very health focused and has provided me with many opportunites. I recently ran a half marathon with a team from Whole Foods. Working there has pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone.  I have become a vegetarian, improved my diet, started a blog, and I am working on my own all natural hair care line. All things that I would not even have considered in my old state of mind.  

I have come a long way from the unhappy girl that used to sit on the couch each night and worry about work.  I am very grateful for signing up for that yoga retreat when I did. I am thankful that clearing my mind and body with yoga  allowed me to listen to my inner voice and make necessary changes. I am also happy to say that I will be attending another yoga retreat this May in France. Who knows where my life will go after this one!


Bio:Leigh-Ann Houchin is a big believer of yoga, healthy eating, postive thinking, and loving everyone equally.  She currently works at Whole Foods Market, has created a blog that is all about living life outside of your comfort zone [https://outsideofyourzone.blogspot.com] and is working on an all natural hair care line.

Yoga Retreat #2

I am leaving for a yoga retreat in Provence, France in a little over a month.  I am soooo excited to go on another yoga retreat.  The first retreat was so enjoyable and really opened my eyes to living my life to the fullest.  I am going to share some information about this retreat and I strongly encourage anyone who has ever thought about attending a yoga retreat to do it!  It just might change your life!! 

The retreats that I attend are throught this website www.eatpraymove.com. All activities and most of your meals are included in the cost. 

Here is a little information on what is in included

INCLUDED*:

• Villa accommodation (spacious bedrooms, private bathrooms, linens)
• Daily Breakfast
• Daily Dinner (at Villa and restaurants)
• Lunch on selected days
• Welcome cocktail party
• Transportation to/from day trips
• Ferry to Porquerolles Island
• Bike rental to nearby village market
• Daily meditation and yoga classes
• Use of estate premises (hiking trails, pool, art room, etc.)
• Wine, Aperitif, Cheese Tasting
• Spa day
• Day trips + entrance fees
• Tips & Taxes

DAY TRIPS:

• Aix-en-Provence
• Spa Day
• Countryside tour + bike ride to village market
• Provencal Tasting Tour (explore the special nuances of different wines, aperitifs, and cheeses in the French diet)
• Porquerolles Island + ferry