I'm a runner, not a yogi, so I never thought I would feel a void for my yoga practice. I brought yoga into my life when I started training for my first triathlon in 2007, and it became a vital addition to my exercise regime when I was training for my first half marathon later that year.

Since then, I have practiced once every other week to four times a week. Running, cycling and strength training have always taken precedence.

Now, I miss yoga.

Yoga represents to me an inner centered energy, peace, calm...until pigeon pose. Yoga is recovery at that point. Since it's said we hold emotion in certain parts of our body, I wonder what I am holding in my hips. I subconsciously - or consciously - have a hard time letting go there. Certainly the runner in me craves the hip opener pigeon offers after a long run that tightens up the hip flexors.

I'm competitive by nature and am thankful one of the first pieces of advice my instructor gave me was to not worry about what/how my fellow students were doing. And to never compete with myself or push my body further than it is willing to go.

Since I pushed through triathlon training at the start of this season, both to be prepared for Encinitas and to win the Carlsbad store's Triathlon/Yoga Bingo Challenge (I tied for first place and won a new pair of Reverse Groove Shorts to wear to hot yoga) I am feeling minor burn-out, and am craving the steady flow and grounding yoga offers me.

I want to let go. Power Yoga 1 by Candlelight at Sculpt Fusion Yoga tonight at 7:30 couldn't come sooner. My hips are tight.