Headstand

A really awesome thing happened this week.

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We’ll call it the headstand story.

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I’ve talked a bit about my fitness journey (in this post), and today is a tiny update of sorts.

I’m just gonna get right to it:

Earlier this week while I was taking a power yoga class, I got into headstand pose for the first time… Ever.

spiritual-gangster-beanie-hat namaste-hat-spiritual-gangster

This is a big deal for me, as I’ve never been able to do a headstand — let alone a handstand. In fact, I’ll be honest — my cartwheel game was seriously lacking as a kid.

I also suffered a head injury when I was in grade school (I fell from the gym bleachers and landed on my neck during a school basketball game). With the combination of these factors, I suppose I’ve always had a subconscious fear of placing any and all of my weight on the top of my head. And, you know — your body just knows to you stand with your feet. Not your hands.

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I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years, but with a more consistent, strength-oriented and “serious” focus over the last six months.

It’s therapy, really. It’s taught me a lot of mindfulness (patience), as my progress has been slow — but steady.

I mentioned this to you (again, in this post), but weight does not fall off my person very easily. (Says the girl who crushed half of a tub of hummus at 11 p.m. the night prior… Haha.)

That being said, I’ve been blown away by the impact it’s had on my mind and body — in addition to regular SoulCycle classes, of course.

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Despite all of this, I’ve always wanted to successfully achieve the headstand pose.

Sure, it’s good for you — it reverses aging, increases blood flow to the brain, affects every system in the body and creates mental clarity. But, I mean, it just looks cool and strong as hell, right? My priorities are in order, I know.

Slowly and consistently, I worked, trained and practiced. And as I have learned — with this posture and life in general — patience is key.

old-navy-activewear blueprint-juice-cleanse-review

How it happened was rather strange.

I was half-listening to the instructor talk about removing the thought that “this is supposed to be really hard,” wherein your mind and body will just naturally take over and work as a team. “That makes sense,” I remember thinking somewhat absent-mindedly.

It’s pretty much relevant in all aspects of life, isn’t it?

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So earlier this week, it happened.

My head was planted firmly on my yoga mat, sweaty palms flanked a few inches from my shoulders. Slowly, I inhaled.

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As if it on autopilot, my left leg just seemed to float on up. Quite literally. Then, my right followed.

It wasn’t magic by any means, but a combination of consistent focus, practice and determination. Something that my old self would have never thought to be possible.

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(And okay, I know — I can hear you guys like “Cool story, Hallie,” so I’ll wrap it up with the point of today’s post:)

Nothing drives me crazier than people who set genuine health, wellness and physical fitness goals for themselves — but they put them off until after the New Year.

Like, what? Why? That’s like prolonging the desire to be thinner, stronger, happier and healthier (or whatever it is you’re resolving to achieve).

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If my sartorial gripe isn’t enough to get your ass off the couch, some cute new workout clothes should do the trick. Even better if they’re ones that send your message loud and proud — like the gear I’m wearing today.

You probably aren’t surprised to know that my wardrobe is already laden with enough SoulCycle gear to warrant a second closet, but I have a few other favorites as of late, too.

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Spiritual Gangster is one my newest activewear obsessions (I discovered them via Carbon38), and Old Navy’s compression tights are just too good (and affordable) not to stock up on. This pair comes in a variety of colors/quotes, though I wish they’d make a pair that reads “DO EPIC SHIT.”

outdoor-workout-clothes

Back to the point of today’s post: Headstand.

I know that corals has read a bit like an inspirational Pinterest board as of late — but sometimes, we could all use the reminder:

You can achieve anything that you align your mind (and actions) to.

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… What are you waiting for?

Make yourself.

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*In this post:

Namaste beanie: Spiritual Gangster c/o Carbon38 (also love this version)
Fearless crop top: Spiritual Gangster c/o Carbon38 (more styles here)
Zip-up hoodie: Lululemon for SoulCycle
Puffer vest: c/o Lands End (more colors here)
Compression leggings: Old Navy (more styles here)
Running shoes: Nike Flex 2014 via Zappos (also have this pair)

*Click to shop: Spiritual Gangster activewear | Old Navy activewear
This post (below):

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Lydia Hudgens Photography

35 comments

  1. GET IT GIRL!! That’s such an accomplishment! Thank you thank you thank you for that little spiel on starting NOW. It’s okay to reevaluate and refocus as we move into the New Year, but why wait until then? I started on the road to a happy body and mind in October 2011 - a totally random time, but there was no sense in waiting.

    p/s Old Navy compression pants are hands down my favorite.

  2. GET IT!! When you find the DO EPIC SHIT pants, I definitely want in on a pair (shall we design ’em?!) Such fun to continue to hear about your fitness journey and grateful you inspire me. I am kicking my ass into high gear for physical fitness this week so I can R&R next week and then hit the new year running.

  3. Reading this post while sitting on my couch in a Spiritual Gangster sweatshirt. Point taken Universe/Hals. Signing up for a yoga class. Namaste xxo

  4. LOVE this post for so many reasons!
    1. I remember my first headstand - worked on that shit for a YEAR and still couldn’t do it. Once while practicing it after class, I remember telling someone that walked by, “I’ve been trying so long and I just can’t do it.” And the person said, “Well you’ll never be able to do it if you tell yourself you can’t do it.” “Aha” moment right there. Changed my attitude, and suddenly - I’m up in a headstand. “You can do anything you put your mind to” has been my motto ever since. So empowering!
    2. Been obsessed with Spritual Gangster (I mean, that brand name…) for a couple years now. Got the Namaste hat and cropped tee recently!

  5. Great work Hallie!! You are awesome! So great to see you from Summer 2007 to now! You are such an inspiration to us all. Thanks for keeping us in check.

  6. I stumbled on your blog and I am so happy I did. I have always been active and in good shape. I had foot surgery in February and unfortunately my foot is giving me a lot of trouble. It has affected my workouts, my weight and my mind. I have done Yoga sporadically but have been thinking about practicing Yoga more regularly. Your post made me feel like this is the path I should take. Thanks!

  7. That is awesome about your headstand! I have a fear of putting all of my weight on my head, so I do headless handstand (on my forearms) and handstand a lot. It is such an amazing feeling to accomplish a pose you have been really working on! I must check out Spiritual Gangster. I am always looking for awesome workout clothes!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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  10. Wondering about the sizing of the vest. The sizing chart seems like it runs big if a petite small is equivalent to a jcrew large excursion vest.

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