Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest is home to some of the largest trees in the world! This area has huge trees, beautiful views, and amazing hikes. You can even drive through one of the trees! It is a really pretty place to visit and these are some of my favorite places in the park and forest to visit.

Redwoods:

Looking around Sequoia National Forest you can see huge beautiful trees everywhere! The redwoods in this forest are some of the largest in the world. You can pick different trails to hike or just go straight to the largest tree. If you get a chance to feel one do it! They are super soft...I'm not kidding the really big trees have soft trunks.

Sherman Peak Trail:

This is one of the highest views you can hike to. It feels like you are on the top of a mountain and it is a trail that doesn't get a lot of use. I didn't see one person the entire time. It's cold but worth it! Beautiful view from the top and nothing but the sound of the wind.

Camp Nelson Trail:

This trail goes from sunny to hidden. Lots of shade and beautiful light shining on these huge trees. It is a biking trail and hiking trail. We went up the back of the trail and hiked to the tree you can walk through. 

Moro Rock:

This steep stairway to the top is worth it! I'm afraid of heights but just grab the railing before you look around. Beautiful view for a sunset and a really fun rock to get on top of.

General Sherman Tree:

The biggest tree in the world! This thing is huge. Long lines to get your picture taken in front of a sign that says General Sherman Tree but any angle you get shows just how huge this tree is.

Bears!:

There are bears in this park! We saw one while driving and got super excited. Here is what you need to know: keep your food locked up good use bear lockers provided if camping and get rid of all your trash! 

Rivers:

The rivers here are beautiful! Not as full flowing because of the draught but still really pretty. You can fish or just hike down and lay on the rocks.

Dollar Spot Crafting

I love to craft and making cards is one of my favorite things to make. I haven't been able to craft since I left my apt in September. That is like a lifetime of not crafting for me! I didn't bring any supplies and didn't want to buy a bunch of stuff to re stock my crafting supplies. Luckily Target dollar spot and a huge sale at Michaels saved the day! 

Michaels had their colored 80 card and envelope packs for $5. They also had all 50+ Card and envelope packs half off so they came out to $4-$5 as well! Target had $3 stamp sets with ink pads, $1 chalkboard stickers, chalk, gel pens, twine, bakers twine, washi tape, mini clothes pins, and more tiny craft supplies. They also had a lot of smashbox paper sets for $1! I hit the jackpot on cheep crafting supplies! I think the total ended up being under $20! Here is a look at some of the supplies I got and some card creations!

(This one I used pink glitter washi tape)

Hot Yoga! What To Pack?

For your first time doing hot yoga you should do a little research. Finding a studio, mat, and knowing what to pack are all things to think about. Best way to find what you need is with my BFF Google. Below I go over a few things you should bring to your first hot yoga practice. Most studios offer mat rentals, towel rentals, and even provide water! If you want to make hot yoga a thing in your life you should probably invest in a few things so you don't have to rent every time.

1. A Mat
When shopping for a mat remember that you get what you pay for. This is the one thing you don't want to be stingy with because this mat is going to take a beating over time. Sweat drenched and sometimes smelly you want something that is going to last long into your savasana. I have a Lululemon The Mat and this thing was well worth the money. It grips the more you sweat just wipe away with a hand towel and you're set. Here are some options of mats that I have tried.

Lululemon The Mat $68
This mat is my baby. It can be used with or without a mat towel which helps out when you don't want to do laundry every day!

Manduka $50-$130
I have used these before they are good sturdy and thick. For those of use with bad knees the extra padding is perfect. My studio has these for rental so you know they are good!

GAIAM mats range fro $30-$100
These mats are popular at my studio and come in lots of cute patterns like this one.

2. Water Bottle
Lets face it when you a sweating like a waterfall you need to rehydrate. Any water bottle will do but you will probably want one that doesn't have a screw off lid. If you are like me you will want to drink while you are still moving and the screw off lids take too much time...and get spilled easily. I prefer a CamelBak but notice a lot of people using glass water bottles in class.

CamelBak $15
I use mine every day for work, the gym, and hot yoga. This thing is legit!

The glass CamelBak $25
Not sure why but people in hot yoga love these glass bottles.

Or the cute motivational PINK bottles $15
For people who are extra thirsty and just love all things pink this is a good option.

3. Towel
When I first started out I was using a small mat, a mat towel, and a hand towel. The towel is super important because without it you will be sliding all over yourself! I bought the Lululemon mat because you don't need a towel with it. I would say buy your mat first and buy your towel second. You can use a beach towel if you want or if you have the money to buy it all do it! Here are a few towels

GAIAM $25

Manduka Yogitoes $68
Yogitoes have grips on the bottom. No need to spray your mat towel with this one it is ready to grip for you!

Lululemon $42
Fits right on top of your Lululemon mat. If you sweat A LOT you should get this. I sweat pretty heavy but haven't needed a mat towel yet even in a 60, 75, and 90 minute class.

4. Headband
I sweat a lot more than I probably should. If I don't wear a headband it gets all in my eyes and my mouth and that's not cool. I am obsessed with Violet Love headbands and wear mine all the time. It keeps your face free of sweat and keeps you doing what you love!

Violet Love $17
I'm obsessed with these headbands and mine is currently MIA. My sister got me one for my bday and I wear it every time I go to hot yoga.

5. What to Wear?
You want to wear something that is comfy and can keep you covered for an hour of constant sweating. I usually end up with my shirt off at some point because it just gets too hot! Yoga leggings are best for everything because during balancing poses if your legs are exposed they will be dipping with sweat and you might slip. Target has cheep options that are legit. One of my favorite tops is from Target. Lululemon has leggings that are amazing and Onzie has super cute printed yoga pants. Here are a few of my favorites. I love fun backs and unique prints.

Onzie Pants $65: These pants are stretchy and breathable. They come in tons of cool prints. 

(My fav Onzie print pants and favorite bra cross back Lululemon)

Teeki Pants $72: These pants are made from recycled water bottles and other materials!

 

 

Lululemon $80-$100

These pants are my favorite and they are reversible. Flower print on the top of these! 

SOLOW $70-$100: They have lots of fun backs for bras and super cute pants.

 

Spiritual Gangster $40-$80 but for a good cause!

 

Why I Yoga

Every year on NYE I try to make this crazy list of things I'm going to stop doing and another even crazier list of ways to better myself. This January I signed up for a hot yoga membership at Big Yoga and it has been the best decision I have made in a long time. One of the very first classes I took I remember my teacher saying "There are no mistakes in life. Every decision has brought you to this moment. You are exactly where you are supposed to be." This has been my motivation for the year.

I started my practice week and wanting to see what all the buzz was about. I wanted to feel strong and know that I could do anything I wanted. 

So why hot yoga?
 

1. It calms

I started mostly going to the 10pm yoga classes after work, dinner, and a nap. I needed a way to unwind at the end of a stressful day. Just being on my mat and breathing the incense was the best start to relaxation. After a full 60 min class of stretching and moving I got that amazing cold lavender towel and felt renewed. It really is the best way to end your day and gets you relaxed and ready for bed.

2. You become strong

(The first time I saw bird of paradise I thought they must be a wizard or something)

I have never been able to touch my toes or lift more than 50 lbs. I ran cross country and track and never had a need for muscles. Well you don't need muscles to be strong and yoga has helped my go from chicken arms to powerful little things. You don't have to practice perfect you just have to practice the best you can. Each day I feel stronger and ready to conquer something new.

3. You love your body

(I love eagle and the way I feel perfectly content holding it)

Everyone struggles with some kind of body image or another and being an ex competitive runner has changed the way I view my body. I used to be tiny and it was hard for me to adjust to a normal weight. I didn't like my body and what I saw in the mirror. After doing yoga for a few months I stopped seeing my body as an object and more of a machine. I was proud of what I could do and felt physically strong and amazing. I went from resenting what my body had become to loving what it could do.

4. You learn about yourself 

During each practice you have X amount of time to work out. You sweat laugh and feel it all. I learned that I can do way more than my mind thinks I can. I went from having an inner bitch to having an inner boss. From saying yeah that isn't going to happen to saying oh I can do that too! Yoga has taught me to push the boundaries I have set for myself and realize that I can do whatever I want. 

5. You learn to let go

This year has been a lot of ups and downs. I have struggled to understand things I can't control and learned through daily practice that I'm doing it right. Marcy is one of my favorite teachers because of the way she sets an intention for each class. It always feels reflective of what's going on in my life. When she was gone I missed her and when she came back with her news I was shocked. I remember her standing up in the front of the studio and telling us that she was going through chemo. Then she said that cancer was the problem and we were her solution. She could either live the problem or live the solution and I thought that was perfect. Letting go of the negative to make room for the positive. We do it with every breath in class literally letting go of the old breath to make room for clean new fresh air. I can't wait to get back and take another class from her!

6. You get DownDog 

My favorite class is Hot and Heavy Saturday Night! From the fun playlist to the booty shaking it's just fun to dance while practicing. Most classes have music and it can really get you going or calm you down depending on the playlist. I have been taking classes at a studio in Ventura CA called Jai Rhythm and they have more meditative music but anytime a beat is dropped in I feel like I'm back at Big Yoga. It is just a fun way to exercise!

Yoga has changed my life! If you have ever thought of trying out hot yoga DO IT! You will love the people and atmosphere. If you want someone to go with you your first time you know where to find me...

http://bigyogahouston.com/
http://www.jairhythm.com/