Yak in Tibet. By Dennis Jarvis via Wikimedia Commons
So I’ve known I was going to do yoga for Y since the beginning of the challenge. Look at me! Planning!
At the end of February of this year, I decided that I wanted to do yoga daily. It wasn’t a resolution or challenge. It was merely a choice. So most days, I get up and do a short practice on Gaia, where the practices stretch as far as the eyes can see. When I have more time, I do a longer practice later in the day.
I try different styles. I like the vinyasa yoga, the kind that flows from pose to pose, but I don’t limit myself to those practices. Sometimes I do yin yoga, which requires you to sit in a pose for a long time, to be still.
That, for me, is the most difficult.
Yoga is more than the physical movement; yoga shapes the mind as well as the biceps. As I mentioned earlier in the challenge, it’s helping me to let go of the idea of perfection. It’s teaching me to appreciate the body it I have for what it will do and what it will try to do. It’s shown me the vast universe inside of each of us.
It’s shown me that we can each form our own morning rituals, whenever we want them. It’s as easy as making a choice.
***EDIT: If you’d like to try a practice, here is a beginner one for free from Clara Roberts-Oss, one of my favorite instructors on Gaia! Free Practice on Gaia from Clara Roberts-Oss***
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A Bit to Read 
What it one of your favorite poses or series of poses? I’ve always enjoyed the Warrior I and Warrior II poses.
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You know, I’ve never thought about it in those terms, because I like the flow aspect, but I agree on the warrior poses, especially Warrior II, but I also love Reclining Goddess.
I also have a love-hate relationship with the shoelace pose with both knees bent…it can be divine!
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My friend believes that the eagle pose is not physically possible. He says this whenever we discuss yoga. That part of the conversation always ends when I show him how to do it – I’ve always liked the eagle pose :0)
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Me too! It’s great for the back and shoulders. Though balance is such an issue for me! Some day.
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I admire those who do Yoga and what it brings them. My body just doesn’t follow through in appreciation.
Stu
Tale Spinning
https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/
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Everything isn’t for everyone! I’m not one of those pretzel people, not by a long shot, but I really like the approach of yoga.
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Wow – you planned your posts?!! I wish I could be a good blogger and do that kind of stuff. I just got through “X” and am now pondering “Y”. I should do Yoga, I have been saying that for years. I need to get off my butt and start. Do you follow a video, or do you just know what to do?
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ONE post. I planned ONE post. And only what the word was, not the post itself! 😛
Don’t worry, we’re still sisters in making it up as we go along!
I do videos from Gaia.
Here, you can do this one for free! Clara is one of my favorite instructors. I haven’t done this particular practice, but it’s for beginners. Rodney Yee is also good for a start. They have a whole category for beginners!
Free Practice on Gaia from Clara Roberts-Oss
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Oh – you just planned the word, I was really fretting. Thanks for the video – that’s really nice!!. At least if I can do it in the confines of my own house, I don’t have to worry about issues with possible sphincter control failures (that’s my lame excuse for not going to a class).
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I really don’t like group exercise settings…You’ll love Clara, she’s fantastic, very, very clear and has a fun sense of humor!
Also classes are SUPER expensive and take so much effort. I just pick a practice and roll out my mat.
And yep, only a word!! An entire post?! NEVER!
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I miss doing yoga and hope to do more again soon. It’s always harder than most think. You use muscles you didn’t know you had. Looks like a reminder to me.
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Well, if you’d like to give it a try at home, you can do this one for free with one of my favorite instructors! It’s a beginner class, so it will be good for getting back into it.
I really recommend Gaia, there are so many classes and types of yoga.
Here’s the link:
Free Practice on Gaia from Clara Roberts-Oss
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I did take a look at it and will probably try shortly as soon as I catch my breath. 😉 Thanks.
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Hope you enjoy it if you do! I love Clara.
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I started doing yoga daily when I found the Sworkit app. You set the time, choose the level, and it takes you through a series of poses. I don’t have that app anymore, but it was helpful for getting me into the habit. Now I still do it daily, usually on my own, but I sometimes use Yoga with Adriene or Yoga by Candace.
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Someone else recommended Yoga by Candace, I’ll have to try her. I’m obsessed with Gaia right now because I love the instructors, but that app sounds awesome, especially when in a distant land! I swear, yoga helps. I mean it doesn’t cure everything, but it helps.
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I Yak about doing Yoga then forget that I said I’d do it each day, resulting in a Yikes from me.
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Ha! Well here’s the link to one of my favorite instructors, if it feels like a Sunday thing to do!
The site has a ton of morning practices that are around 30 minutes, so it’s easy to just get one in before you get going.
I swear I don’t work for and am not affiliated with Gaia! They’ve never even liked my Gaia-based tweets. 😉
Free Practice on Gaia from Clara Roberts-Oss
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My Mum was a yoga practitioner & her Dad before her. They’re both lithe and supple. Me – not so much. I did do pilates for a few years and so need to return. My knees hurt now, so there may need to be surgery before I can consider it. But I did feel oh so much better for it. And not just physically. I think all that breathing and concentrating on control and movement is good for switching off the overactive brain. Well done on incorporating a regular practice into your day.
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Thanks so much, and how fantastic for your mom and grandfather! I do think it’s good to concentrate on flexibility while we have flexibility.
I’m so sorry about your knee! It’s interesting, the times I’ve done Pilates, I definitely felt it in those muscles around the knee. You wouldn’t think so. But I totally agree, there’s something about that mind-body focus that really helps slow a runaway mind.
If you want to branch out to yoga, there’s a free beginner’s practice in the post. Not sure if it will work on your side of the pond, but worth a try!
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Thanks for the link. I tried yoga long time ago and apparantely I cannot stand still. I was thinking about it lately but have not have time yet. One day I shall do it again.
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I know what you mean! It’s a mental workout too. There are more vigorous forms, like Kundalini, which might work for you!
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Thanks. I will check Kundalini and see how it goes:)
Might have to wait until I get back from my trip in August. I wish you have a fantastic week ahead
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Thanks so much, and to you!
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Vinyasa is my favorite too! I love how each pose flows into the next. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Me too! So good for mind and body!
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Loved this! I do yoga everyday and it really clears you mind doesn’t it? I would love it if you could leave me a like or follow me as I am trying to grow my account 🙂
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It really does, and just did! 🙂
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