#monthlydose of yoga

During March, I got my #monthlydose of Yoga! Traditionally, I'm a fair-weather yoga fan. I go through phases of practicing and then I won't do it for another year. I enjoy it but don't prioritize it for financial, time, or whatever reasons, but I know the benefits of it are real.

This year, two different doctors have recommended that I start practicing yoga for stress relief and and to help with tension in my head and neck, so this month's challenge was literally what the doctor ordered. 

So what did I do? I was budget friendly of course (#fancybutfrugal) and did an at-home yoga program through Beach Body on Demand (it's like Netflix for workouts and so affordable! Check it out here: https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/). I did the 3-Week Yoga Retreat over 4 weeks so that I would have a few rest days each week. It's a beginner/introductory yoga program, and each session is only ~30 minutes. Very doable for almost anyone, and I highly recommend it! 

First impression (Week 1): Woof. The first week was tough. Yoga is definitely not like riding a bike. I've lost all muscle memory and flexibility. But almost immediately I could feel my spine working and strengthening. I did 5 days in a row and by then, I was sore and felt that my body needed a break.

Week 2: After a couple days off, I actually craved doing it again! The tension was starting to build back up in my shoulders and neck, and I was missing that movement/stretching/flow. Side note: My right thumb was starting to hurt from poses where you prop yourself up on the ground. Ouch!  Is that normal?

This week we also did our first Savasana (corpse pose), and I loved the concept of "letting go of the old and welcoming the new" that they say in the video. By the end of week 2, I had caught the yoga bug and was really enjoying it again!

Week 3: I'm still convinced that a day of rest after several days of practice in a row is great for your body (this goes for other aspects of life too.). I need to learn how to rest - like really rest. Week 3 was pretty busy, so I skipped several days this week. 🙁

Week 4: I did my last few sessions this week. I was a little bit out of my rhythm from skipping but felt back to normal after just a couple days of practicing again. This week we also got a new adorable cat, and he started jumping on my back during certain poses, and it was the cutest thing ever. Cat yoga should totally be a thing. 😻

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My month of yoga was great! I'm still surprised at how good of a workout it can be. Holding poses and postures can be difficult - my muscles would shake as I started holding poses longer and deeper. It was also exciting to feel myself progress from the beginning of the program to the end. I probably don't look much different or more toned, but I feel good - and that's the most important thing!

I really enjoyed yoga for both the mental and physical benefits. Now, at the end of the program, I'm trying to figure out where to go from here and how often I’ll practice in the future. I feel like I never have time to work out during the week, so it was good to face those excuses and find a program that fits my lifestyle and that I enjoy. 

It was really encouraging to find this program and actually see it through. 

..... Now I wonder if any studios around here have cat yoga?

Completely unrelated photo of me doing yoga on a cliff in the Philippines.

Namaste!