The South Dakota Cowgirl

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21 Day Yoga Body

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I really intended to start this a week ago, but then, I was in Nashville. I hope you were able to follow along with my adventures there through my Instagram story! If you didn’t, you missed out on some great music. 

As promised in my New Year’s Resolutions Post, I thought I’d let you all hold me accountable for getting into better shape. I came off a horse again the other day, and honestly, there was no need for that to happen. But I’m nearly 40 and admittedly I don’t take great care of myself. Frankly, Avie is, kept in better shape.  He also takes more vitamins than I do (I jest, sort of…)! One of my goals for this year is to get into better shape, become more flexible and gain back my confidence when riding/starting young horses. And of course, I promised to share more about my life, here. 

In November of 2015, I somehow pinched my sciatic nerve. That wreaked havoc down both legs on and off, and until just recently had my left piriformis muscle inflamed. Foam rollers and tennis balls were standard morning and evening practice.  I had back spasms so bad the beginning of December 2016, I could barely move for a few days – I was so sore I couldn’t get an adjustment for two weeks.  

Thankfully I now own a TENS unit. It’s often my BFF. Due to my inflamed butt muscle, I’ve been unable to run, which you all know I love to do. I finally broke down and got my XC skis out the other day, and had a nice 30 minute jaunt with no ill side effects other than sore quads. And I’ve been doing yoga on an inconsistent basis (one to 5 times per week) or when my hips felt exceptionally tight. Between that and the ridiculously cold winter we’ve had, which has kept me inside, due to my Raynauds, I’ve gained quite a bit of weight since December. 

So, I recently signed up for an online yoga class with the DailyOM. I’m taking Sadie Nardini’s 21 Day Yoga Body. Tonight, I did the first set of flows and I really liked them. I don’t know if I’ll post my progress daily, or not, but journaling might be a good way to keep me honest. Unless you, my lovelies, have another way to make sure I do the work! I’m going to get flexible, dammit!

My homework today was to write this positive phrase:  “The skill of willpower is something I’m dedicating to strengthen in myself these next 21 days.”

What is your favorite way to stay in shape both mentally and physically? 

Happy Trails! 

 

PS: Those of you that have won contests: I haven’t forgotten about your goodies! I’m waiting on envelopes! XO!

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

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Comments

  1. Tracy says

    Hang tough Jen….it takes awhile to stretch all that out! I am right there with you in needing to regain my flexibility and strength. I did buy a Yoga Wheel to help get more stretch in my back and that helps me quite a bit. With patience and a lot of self kindness you will achieve your goal!

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