Today is the Day

I’m excited to say that today is the first day of my 21-day yoga challenge.  The challenge kicks off with a meeting this afternoon and then a hot yoga class.  I like hot yoga because it loosens up my muscles and joints so I can do the poses better and deepen them a little more.

This week, I’ll be doing another fruit/veggie fast.  The last one was great.  I felt really good during the fast.

This challenge focuses more on decluttering your life.  I’m not really sure how yet, but I’ll know after the meeting today.

More people my age would do yoga if they knew how much better it makes you feel.

Twisting Chair Pose

The Twisting Chair Pose (Parivritta Utkatasana) is my most dreaded pose.  Everybody else in class seem to like it.  I’m the only one who struggles with it.  I have a little too much tummy in the way.

This is a great detox pose.  It’s very good for the digestive system.  It also strengthens the legs and engages the core.  I’m sure I’ll be doing it a lot with the 21-Day Challenge that I’m starting this week.

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/xie78t
How to Do the Yoga Twisting Chair Pose by 5minFitness

21-Day Yoga Challenge

Monday, I will begin another yoga challenge.  This one is for 21 days.  The orientation will be held Sunday.  The last 40-day challenge focused on adding yoga to your life and making it “that thing you do”.  This 21-day challenge is a little different in that it includes a diet plan as well as six days a week of yoga at the studio, meditation, a fruit/veggie fast, journaling, and a focus on decluttering your life.

Committing to 21 hours of yoga in 21 days takes me a bit out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to do it anyway.  Anything worth achieving in life is not going to be easy.

Yoga Is Hard

Yes…yoga is hard.  The pose pictured here is the absolute hardest pose for me.  That’s because I have too much tummy, and it squeezes everything.  I can’t breathe and then I feel nauseous.  It seems like we have to hold the pose way too long.  It is getting easier, though.

Today is my 29th day of the 40 Days to Personal Revolution program, and I’ve done extremely well.  I don’t know that I will ever learn to like yoga, but I love the results.  I’m 8 pounds lighter, stronger, more toned and muscular, more peaceful, and I eat much less.  This program has been exactly what I needed.  I think I will probably take it again the next time it’s offered because being in a structured group keeps me motivated and on track.

I can’t flip my dog or do a side plank or hover above the ground in chaturanga, but I’ve lost my fear of the class itself, and I can bend from the waist and put my head on the floor.  I’ll bet none of my friends can do that – or would even want to.

Baby steps…that’s what life is all about.