By: NewNaturalista

Week 3

This will be me one day!

I’m challenging myself to 30 days of Vinyasa Yoga!  (see original story)

Thursday, January 27th

I’m nearing the end of my 30 days and I’m realizing, I need more time! I think Vinyasa Yoga is such a wonderful practice – one that I want to continue well past this month. Maybe I can squeeze in a day or two in between my next challenge?

Wednesday, January 20th

Oh my goodness.  I cannot believe it’s been nearly 2 weeks since I’ve written about my vinyasa yoga experience.  There’s a good reason for that.  I haven’t been doing it!  Today was my first day back in nearly 10 days – a bad cold got me down, work – and then I got in my own way.  Which is why today’s message in class was just what I needed.  Michel my instructor says, “Yoga is about getting out of your own way.”  Man did I need to hear that.  So many times in life I’M THE ONE in my own way.  More on that later.  As far as my yoga practice…today was good.  I didn’t feel as wiped out as I thought I would.  I’m excited for tomorrow.

Thursday, January 7th

I’m not gonna lie, I really did not want to go to yoga today.   Michel kicked my butt in class the day before, and I had a LONG day at work.  I moaned and groaned the whole way there — but once I layed down my mat and began practicing, it was SO worth it.  Dawn was my teacher today and she was wonderful!  After yesterday’s class, my neck and shoulders felt sore and stiff.  Midway into the class I found out why!  So you know how I said I hate the downward dog pose?  It seems I was doing it all wrong, shifting my weight too much into my arms and hands.  Once I evened the weight out, downward dog was so much easier!  It’s also interesting how a pose can be difficult for you one day and than effortless the next.  I felt this way today about jumping into standing pose.  Yesterday I was stumbling like a drunk, today…a breeze!  Dawn said yoga is a practice you work your whole life to master.  She’s been doing it for more than a decade and she says each time she learns something new about her body.  Wow.  That’s really mind blowing, because I think so much of our culture is focused on mastering a skill — but if we think of ourselves as students, always learning…there isn’t that pressure to “master” but instead enjoy the journey.

Dawn also told us of an old saying, “People who practice yoga die, but they never grow old.”  I thought about that the whole way home.

Wednesday, January 6th

Class kicked my a** today!  I. hate. downward. dog.

Monday, January 4th

I attended my first class last night, but my first challenge began at home.

My 3 year old daughter who normally blows me kisses when I leave the house, tugged at my leg pleading, “Don’t go mommy!  I wanna go too!”  She even ran to the front door, grabbing her shoes and coat.  I think children can sense when something is important to you, they want to be a part of it too!

I’d planned to do a video update for my first class, but my daughter left me a little flustered and potentially late, so I left the camera behind.  Once I arrived however, things ran smoothly.  There’s such great energy at Be Luminous Yoga studio.  There are no mirrors inside of the class which interestingly enough, helped me focus on what Scott the instructor was teaching.  I’ve done yoga before – the latest being Bikram - but this was different. Scott really took the time to work through each pose, explaining what we should feel.  This is big for me, in the past I’d find myself craning my neck to see if I was doing the pose the right way – no time to focus on how I was feeling, or whether I was breathing the right way!

Now here is some really important stuff.  We discussed how yoga changes those who practice it. Scott shared with us how he is now a better friend, calmer and more intuitive.  We chanted – and it’s true, it’s hard to think about all the other stuff in your life (work, family, to do list) when you’re reciting tones!

After 90 minutes in a 90 degree room, we cooled down, laying on the floor with the emphasis on relaxing our limbs.  Michel (another instructor) walked over to my mat, pushed my shoulders to the floor and whispered in my ear (relax.)  I chuckled, but when I really focused on my body, I could feel the tension — even when I’m relaxing there is so much energy stored in my shoulders and neck!

We ended with a chant and a focus on our “third eye” – which sealed the deal for me.  Our third eye so to speak is intuition and enlightenment.  I left drenched in sweat and so excited for what the next 29 days have to offer. (I’m not sore yet!) Check back for a look at how my challenge is going.  I’d also like to hear from you!  Are you taking up a new exercise or challenge like “boot camp”?   Tell us about it below!

beluminousyoga.com

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1. VIDEO – Be Luminous Yoga – 30 Day Yoga Challenge
2. 30 Day Challenge: Night Running
3. Naturalistas Of The Week: Black Girls RUN!
4. Naturalista of The Week: BGLH
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