Progress

I have been practicing yoga consistently for about a month and I’m feeling great. All of this could just be in my head but I find that I sleep better, am happier and less stressed. Physically I am more balanced and feel a lot stronger. Yoga has also improved my flexibility which will help reduce my chance of injury when running or going to the gym. Practicing has opened my eyes to my own personal health and lifestyle as well as specific fitness goals that I have recently set for myself.

I have been attending classes at a local studio and have also made an effort to practice at home. My home practice has helped me to make progress with certain poses and meditation, but I still find it a hassle to roll out my mat and unwind at the end of the day. Even though I have made yoga a priority since day one I’m hoping that I can continue to improve as well as have a chance to practice other styles of yoga such as Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga , Jivamukti Yoga.

Another Day, Another Downward Facing Dog

I have always struggled to commit to my home practice and I don't know why.  It seems easier to get up early, travel to the closest yoga studio and practice with an instructor for 90 minutes than stay home and commit to the same thing.  Maybe it's because I've made a commitment and feel the need to follow through or maybe being at home reminds me that I not only have to practice yoga but accomplish 100 other things.  The good news is last night I was productive and managed to squeeze in 45 minutes before bed.  

There was nothing stunning about my practice; there were no acrobatics, handstands or arm balances but hopefully as I continue this blog my posts can include some of these small victories (I will include photos of my progress).  I tried to focus on matching my breath with my movement and stuck with some of the essential positions, one of them being Downward Facing Dog.

This pose looks quite simple but can come back to ‘bite’ you the next day as it works your arms and shoulders.  There are also a number of different health benefits attached to each pose. For the benefits of Downward Facing Dog check out this link from the Yoga Journal:

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491

Needless to say the first attempt at my home practice was a success and I look forward to where it leads me.  Monday I'm headed to a Moksha Yoga studio. It should be a blast so expect a blog update following class.