Keep Calm and Swim On

Happy Wednesday everyone! 


Today I'm going to share a cool meditation that my swim coach taught me, and which anyone can put to use! I found it so beneficial I thought others might too. :)

Coach Karen shared this meditation with me after watching me panicking each time I'd get a stomach cramp while swimming. I'd be clutching the wall, trying to breathe, hoping that my swimming wasn't putting undue stress on Baby C.  So she taught me to say these four words: "Sa, Ta, Na, Ma." With each word you touch the tip of each finger to the thumb tip. 


Thumb & first finger - SA
Thumb & second finger - TA
Thumb & third finger - NA
Thumb & fourth finger - MA


Coach said that she read studies showing that this meditation, called Kirtan Kriya, increases memory and cognitive function and decreases stress. I like the translation for each of the words too:


Sa = the beginning
Ta = life
Na = death
Ma = rebirth


In any case, my muscle cramps have greatly reduced since using this technique. I feel calmer with swimming while pregnant and trusting that the baby will be just fine.  In fact, I think I've got a little helper swimmer, this week Baby C has started moving and kicking around a LOT more!! 


Namaste!

East Coast Trip Part 3: Gettysburg, PA

Last but not least, our east coast trip ended with a trip to Gettysburg, PA to view the battlefields of the famous Civil War battle that took place July 1-3, 1863.  While the trip was pretty informational and many of the battlefield grounds scenic (see above), it definitely wasn't a town I'd recommend spending too much time in.  The hotels, restaurants, and activities were pretty lacking, which is surprising for how many tourists come through the town each year.  

We stayed in a relatively good B&B, but the place was PACKED with teddy bears and Christmas memorabilia. It even had its own Civil War/Christmas Shop in the back room - gotta love the spelling!

On the way back to the airport we stopped at George Washington's house, Mount Vernon. This is definitely a place I'd recommend to others. A beautiful home and grounds that you can easily tour, and on a bright summer day it was great! :)

East Coast Trip Part 2: Charlottesville, VA

From DC Todd and I ventured south to Charlottesville, VA where we toured Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello.  Work began on this beautiful home in 1768, and it was amazing how much modern technology was used within. Jefferson had about 7 clocks in the home, along with skylights, and even cool levers that pulled wine bottles up through a secret passage from the wine cellar to the dining room. The gardens were also in excellent condition, and vegetables, fruit, and wine are still grown here today.  

In town, we stayed at the historic Dinsmore Inn B&B, built in 1817 by Jefferson's master builder.  Very cute place, and close to the University of Virginia. Here's a picture of the front of the inn. Highly recommend this place to any Charlottesville visitors!

East Coast Trip Part 1: Washington DC

Todd and I just got back from a trip to Washington DC. This picture was taken from the Jefferson Monument of the White House and Washington Monument. The monuments were definitely one of my favorite parts of the city, they are so large and stunning that it really makes you respect what or who is being honored. Also doesn't hurt that all the monuments and museums in town are FREE! Some other highlights included: walking through the cute neighborhoods and shops in Georgetown, dining at The Blue Duck Tavern and The Tabard Inn. 


We brought along our absolute FAVORITE guide book for this trip: Knopf Mapguides.  If you haven't heard of these before, I highly recommend them for travel. They're super tiny so they fit easily in a purse or pocket. They are divided into neighborhood sections with a corresponding foldout map along with condensed lists of the top: Places to See, Restaurants, Bars, and Shops.  And these recommendations are always top notch! I have yet to be disappointed by a restaurant recommendation from them. It's like they get fun local people to write each of these books (actually, they probably do). 

Parts 2 and 3 will follow the rest of our trip: Charlottesville, VA and Gettysburg, PA.