My perception of yoga and the people who do it was completely wrong, so take my advice and “Don’t knock it till you try it.”

This yoga based post is all about:

  1. My new found love for yoga
  2. The importance of committing to short-term goals
  3. The benefits and struggles I learned through my yoga journey
  4. Recommendations for getting started

3 years ago I would have been the first person to say that Yoga was a fake-ass workout, expensive, and a big waste of time. Just a bunch of juice drinking, essential oil using hippies that call it exercise as they live their vegetarian namaste lives. And do not even get me started on Hot Yoga……such a rip-off. I couldn’t have been more WRONG!

However, after getting into a solid gym routine, I found myself getting bored while rushing through my workouts as opposed to enjoying them and my bodies transformation. I was looking for a change and something new…This led me to Yoga. I decided to commit to something that would challenge my body in a different way while still burning calories and learning about my body, mind, and soul.

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At first, I didn’t get it…it felt like a waste of time and it was so hard to clear my mind and focus on just me and my body for a solid 45 min. However, I set a goal and was determined to learn this new way of exercising. Short-term goals are huge to any fitness journey and 30-day challenges help you commit to yourself and your body, proving that you can accomplish any goal. Also seeing results and a transformation is key to continuing to pushing yourself and getting the body of your dreams.

I committed to a 30-day yoga challenge starting on November 1st, 2017. Every day I  showed up on the mat, putting my full attention into the moment, and pushing my body and flexibility to new limits.

The Benefits I experienced from this 30-day Yoga challenge include:

  1. IMG_7927Improved flexibility and posture
  2. Better balance
  3. Having the ability to shut my mind off, focus, and relax
  4. Toned muscles and core
  5. Connecting to my breath and using it to accelerate my workouts
  6. Discipline by committing to a 30-day challenge
  7. Learning to push my body to new limits

 

I fully understand that Yoga isn’t for everyone, but don’t be like me and think it’s stupid without even trying it. Have an open mind and give it a try, if you are like me you will be hooked.

Of course, I had struggles…First of all, I might be the most unflexible people you know. Secondly, I have a weak calf and ankle that inhibits my balance and flexibility. Thirdly, I never knew if I was doing it wrong or right and constantly worried about looking like a yogi wannabe.

IMG_0671With these struggles, I realized that practice really does make perfect, and yoga completely helped my flexibility and balance. Also the more I did yoga, the better I looked and I started to realize it was more about the stretching, breathing, and feeling as opposed to how I looked.

If you are looking to try it, but have no idea where to start…try these recommendations:

  1. Experiment with Yoga instructors on Youtube – Like a personal trainer, you have to find someone you don’t get annoyed with and like their style of working out or doing yoga.
  2. Don’t waste your money on expensive yoga memberships – especially at the beginning. Find the style of yoga you like first through free classes on Youtube.
  3. Find a quiet place to do Yoga – preferably a room without a TV (so you aren’t tempted to bail and watch a show instead.
  4. Leave your phone in a different room – I was constantly tempted to check my social media while doing yoga #millenialproblems but try to avoid this and stay focused on the practice… be in the moment.
  5. Experiment with doing yoga at different times of the day – like workouts, some people enjoy them more in the morning or at night. It is all about personal preference.
  6. Don’t be afraid to set the mood – if you like doing yoga right before bed or need a timeout from a crazy day, get into a more relaxed state by lighting a candle or dimming the lights.

In the end, yoga is something I was completely wrong about and as cliche as it is…it changed my life. I look forward to continuing my yoga journey and only getting more flexible and experienced. Give it a try, but really commit, I promise it will be worth it.

If you guys have any questions…comment below. Good luck future yogis! Namaste