Day 4 into the 21 Day Yoga Challenge

Ah the constant struggle.  The balance between exersize and your schedule.  As you all know I have started the 21 days of Yoga Challenge and I would like to say that I have been really good about blocking out a set period of time per day to yoga... but I haven't.   BUT I am proud to say that I have done some yoga everyday.  Which is the point right?!  To just need to get in the habit and fit it into my lifestyle.
I started doing the video sequences in the order that Yoga journal planned out on their website and man I was just not feeling the so called "45 minute FUN flow".  You call that fun? Maybe if you were super yoga like to kill yourself person, which I am not.  Sure I love yoga but goodness that was intense! So with the intention of sticking to my 21 day plan and not quitting on the first day, I decided that I would start out with something that was actually "fun" and I came across their hip opener sequence video, for day 6, which turned out to be perfect! (I just love hip openers. They are my favorite : ) It was exactly what I needed and it lifted me out of my grumpy state (oh yeah I was super grumpy when I started day one...super grumpy is a few steps down from super yoga. lol).  Since then I have just been picking and choosing whichever video I like on their website or doing my own routine.   I am pretty sure that is the better way to go.

Here are a few other things I found: 
~If you are brand spanking new to yoga: I highly recommend the 20 minute evening sequence that they have for week one, it is very simple and relaxing. 
~If you want to try a meditation: the life enhancing audio guide on week one was pretty rad.  I suck at meditation but this was an effective technique for me.

Tonight I am trying the 20 minute core sequence and I am excited!  Wish me luck!

Happy yogaing you guys (lets pretend that yogaing is a real word)

The 21 Day Yoga Challenge

On Friday I am beginning Yoga Journals: 21-day Yoga challenge!  Thanks to the holidays, my snooze alarm and procrastination I have totally neglected my yoga practice.  I would love to say that  I pray, do yoga, meditate and exercise everyday (and who wouldn't) but I don't. So when I came across this article by Hirali Dowlie in the February edition of Yoga Journal and read about her experience with the 21-day challenge I was inspired!  It reminded me that I can do all of those things everyday, I can make it a habit but I have to shape it to fit in my life. I have to give myself a realistic block of time and more importantly I just have to do, it even if it is for only 10 minutes a day.  For example I find myself feeling guilty that I often only practice yoga in the mornings for about 20 minutes but I don't need to because this article reminded me that "Even 10 minutes every day is better than a two-hour sweatfest once a week". 

Man I needed to here that! 

Hilary Dowle also wrote in reflection to her experience with the 21-day challenge did said "Daily practice has increased my capacity to stay present with the uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and sensations that come up on the mat—and in the dentist's office, the grocery store, and the pickup line at school. In other words, I more easily remember that the skills I build through practice come in handy all the time. Yoga spills over into my life."  

Which for me translates to God will spill over into my life and the peace and clarity he gives me through my time I get with Him through yoga.

 Because for me yoga is not only a wonderful way of taking care of my body,  it also clears my mind and connects me with God.   Through yoga God is teaching me how to listen to Him and to my body; allowing Him to heal me both psychologically and physically. I hope you can see now why I am so excited about this 21-day challenge!

I would love for you to join me.  I will keep you posted on my progress and I hope you will keep me posted on yours.   You can get started by joining at http://21daychallenge.yogajournal.com/ for a day by day guide, videos and a daily newsletter to keep you motivated.  The February issue also has some great tips and a simple sequence you can do everyday.  

They say it takes about a month to build a habit and here is our chance! 

 

 

Instant stress relief from Neck Rolls

Do you carry your stress in your Shoulders?
Do you constantly find yourself waking up with a kink your neck?
Do you suffer from upperback pain? 
Then you need neck rolls!  Neck rolls are a very old, unpatented, surefire way to ensure that your neck has the mobility to move where you want to look!  For only 1 installment a day of 2 minutes or less you too can have the power of Neck Rolls!
*Not suitable for anyone with any pre-existing neck problems. Please consult your doctor first.

Neck Rolls are one of my favorite yoga poses to do and have helped me more then I ever could have imagined (which sounds insanely cheesy but it is true!).  For you see, my upper back likes to get winy (and sometimes it is screaming) but thankfully neck rolls know just how to sweet talk my shoulders and upper back muscles into chilling out!  Probably my favorite thing about neck rolls are that they have this magical ability to still my mind (which is no easy feat, believe me).  Neck rolls are so very relaxing, especially if you take your time. 

Luckily neck rolls are very simple.
First take a seat either in a comfortable cross legged position on the ground or in a chair with your feet flat on the ground; sit up strait with your shoulders relaxed. Then look down with your head, close your eyes, relax your jaw and begin to roll your head to the right slowly.  Rotate your head all the way around until you return back to center. Repeat at least 2 to 3 times and then roll your head the other direction, to the left, for the same number of rotations.

 

http://www.sisseluk.com/exercise/uk/en/c-stretches/523_yoga_neck_rolls.php

Tip:   Whenever you come across a kink or a tightness in your neck pause your head for a moment and take a few breaths.  Try to think about relaxing into that spot while you breath into it and then continue on until you reach the next kink.  Do not be discouraged if you have a lot of kinks in your nexk,  this will get better with time and will fluctuate with the stresses that you encounter in your life.  I  can not tell you the number of times practicing this exercise has made me aware of how stressed out I had been. 
You should however be alarmed if you feel any tingling or numbness.  If you experience numbness or tingling please back off a bit and continue a little more gently.
  
Remember: Sit up strait and relax your jaw

Enjoy!  I hope you learn to love it like I do : )