28-Day Yoga Everyday

The idea of a commitment can sometimes add a pressure and expectation. Perhaps we can explore a little and see if your motivation can come from a deeper place of inspiration. You might want to spend a few minutes journaling on what moved you to try this challenge. It may be that you are looking to care for yourself a little more or making yourself more of a priority among all those responsibilities in life.

But it will be helpful to personalize your ‘Why’ and start out with an intention that is authentic and that supports you throughout this first week. You may also find it helpful to look at the time frame and style of each suggested practice and plan ahead what time of day you’d like to practice. Making changes to your lifestyle and adding something good and supportive is also an opportunity to consider things you might want to let go of.  For example, in order to fit a 60 minute Yoga practice into a busy day, would it be helpful to spend a little less time reading news or watching TV?

Of course sometimes life just happens and gets in the way of our plans and intentions; but do your best to follow along with the suggested practices and adjust as needed.

Enjoy yourself and good luck!
— Ellen Cremer, Owner

Before we dive into week 2, let’s take a moment to reflect on last week’s practice. How did it go?  What were the choices you made around your practice that worked really well?  What didn’t work so well that may be something you’d like to change going forward?  These questions may be around your set-up or time of day, but may also include more subtle observations. What happened when you got interrupted and couldn’t finish your class?  Did you feel frustrated or upset?  Instead of thinking that you missed your class, perhaps there is an opportunity for learning here? If this happens again, what will you try differently?

Or those days where it’s so hard to get motivated to move?  Perhaps instead of feeling bad about the lack of motivation or trying to push tiredness aside, could there be a way to be on the mat with all those feelings just as they are?  Maybe laying down and noticing your breath for 30 minutes is what needs to happen in that moment!  And what does it feel like if we give ourselves the permission to make these changes?

Let’s continue to honor the sincerity of our intention to do this challenge—while also extending some grace to ourselves to make changes.  But what if these choices come from a very conscious place that invites further reflection and self-discovery?  The awareness that you develop by exploring is Yoga too!!!

By now you have tried out a wide range of different elements of this rich practice.  From quiet Restorative Yoga and Breath Work to active movement practices, including some challenges such as the recent Shoulder Tune-Up class.  Very likely you noticed personal preferences.  While it’s very helpful to get more clarity on what you like about Yoga, it can also be helpful to shine a light on the moments of ‘not liking’ that will certainly show up at some point.  At times we find that the practices or poses we don’t necessary love—and that we have some resistance towards—can be valuable (with the exception of taking care of injuries and other health concerns of course).  For example. if we come home from a very active, busy day it may be easier to keep moving with an active class.  And while there might be some hesitation around a Restorative Class, perhaps that can be exactly what’s needed.

So as you are about to start Week 3, be aware of how these practices feel in your body; but also notice your inner response.  Is there like or dislike? Excitement or resistance that shows up for you?  Can you let ALL of yourself be on the mat and meet yourself with acceptance—while continuing to make choices around these more subtle observations?  How do you choose to be with yourself when resistance is present?  What is the opportunity here?  Be very open and gentle with yourself as you explore some of these questions!

Wow! You are three weeks into your challenge! Having reached this milestone, it’s time you show yourself a little gratitude and pride, acknowledging that you have juggled life’s tasks and still staying dedicated to your practice!  So, before we move into our final week, let’s take the opportunity to look back at all the moments of delight and difficulty in your practice this past week; is there anything that stands out that you’d like to reflect on? Or take a few minutes journaling? Based on what you notice, perhaps you’d like to set an intention around how to be with that awareness in this final week. 

Also, you may have already noticed that the active practices became slightly more difficult throughout the course of this challenge. This will be true for some practices in this last week as well, so get ready!  With your heightened body awareness and connection to yourself, continue to be honest about what you need—and what you don’t—and make wise choices as needed. 

Finally, I invite you to take a moment and think ahead about how you’d like to complete this challenge, and plan a treat for your body at the end of this week (in addition to the Restorative Yoga class that’s waiting for you there!).  Maybe plan to set time aside for your favorite hike or walk?  Your favorite meal?  Hot tub or bath?  What would you enjoy?  Treat yourself, you’ll have earned it!