Another item has officially been checked off my 30 before 30 list and it feels amazing. After 3 failed attempts, I finally succeeded. I did yoga every day for 30 days and I loved it.
The Rules: at least 20 minutes each day, learn more about yoga and the history of the practice, try different styles, do not put too much pressure on myself.
The Tools: Erin Motz videos on youtube, Rodney Yee DVD’s, the outfit in this post and other comfortable clothes, my Gaiam mat, Google.
Now that it’s done, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you:
I still shake during almost every balance pose. For some reason, I thought this would go away after about a week. One of the articles I read said, “Think of a graceful treetop swaying in the wind, held firmly in place by strong roots.” That helped.
I have better balance on one side than the other. That was a fun little surprise too.
I didn’t lose any weight doing this challenge. I didn’t try to lose any weight, but I thought it might magically happen anyways. I should stop eating cookies all the time.
My hips making weird popping noises and they desperately need to be stretched.
Midday yoga breaks make afternoon meetings easier to get through, plus I am 10x more aware of my posture.
Sometimes it is hard for me to stay in peaceful pose for too long without falling asleep. It happened to me 3 times in the last month while cooling down.
The Chakra system is beyond intriguing to me.
I have strong legs. I need to keep working on my core and my arms.
Being upside down and making it look cool has become one of my life goals.
I love my quiet yoga time. I’m terrified of any yoga in a group setting still, but I’m sure I’ll get over that someday. Until that time comes, I will continue to make yoga part of my routine at least 3 days a week solo style. I will eventually do some fancy hand stands and shake a little less while in Warrior 3. I will keep learning and making progress.
Have you ever done a 30 day challenge? Turns out they are kind of my thing, so share your favorites in the comments.
Kudos to you girl! That took dedication.
After an ankle fracture and a few weeks in a cast, my balance is super skewed! I've been doing some very basic, beginner yoga, because I figured it would be as good a rehab activity as anything else, and I can barely balance on my left leg at all. Truth be told, my right's not much better. I don't even like yoga all that much, but the more I learn about it, the more it doesn't make sense NOT to do it!
i LOOOOOVE yoga; it works muscles you never even knew you had and does amazing things for muscle endurance and flexibility. keep it up!!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
You rock! Congratulations on finishing it! One of my fall goals is to stretch every night before bed. I'm hopeful that leads me to add some yoga to my winter goal list.
I haven't done a good 30 day challenge in a while! This is a great one – yoga is so good for so many parts of the body!
This is how I imagine you doing yoga in your apartment every day. This is normal right? Real life. HAHA just kiddddddding this girl is cray.
Are you going to keep doing it daily? I need some major stretching so this would be a great challenge.
You go girl! I was thinking the same thing as Kate, will you continue with it every day? I'm really impressed, it's never something I feel like I have the discipline to try. Plus, I told you about my body's habit of expelling gas while attempting deep breathing or downward dog-ing. I did my 21 day sugar detox, but nothing for 30 days! You rock!
Hahahah… I've noticed many bones creaking/popping the older I get!
Oh, for me it's my knees that creak and pop! I can just be squatting down to get something and you'll hear a loud pop. Yes, thanks for the reminder that I'm getting older. lol. Also, I wish I could be better at yoga. I have a weak upper body and core, horrible balance, and no flexibility what so ever. Hah. Yay for your 30 days of yoga! 🙂
I live that you posted this. I want do desperately to get started with yoga. Right now though, my life is in some serious upheaval with the move/school. I know it's all about carving out the time, 20 minutes is nothing. At this point, once a well is better than nothing. Also, live that Arthur Ashe quote!