Days 3 and 4: Mediation and Lunchtime Yoga

Day 3 of my 30 day commitment. This was a day of challenge.  Having being up since 5:30 a.m. and worked a full day, rushed home made dinner for the children and then off to the college to teach a 3 hour session, left me with little energy.  By the time the dog was walked, the lunches made, the kitty litter cleaned, I was ready for bed.  But I had to follow through on my commitment.  I decided to do my yoga in bed literally on my bed.  It was a great way to relax and let go of the days' tensions.

Day 4: Lunchtime yoga... nothing better to reset the day than taking time out of my schedule to do lunchtime yoga workout. Sara Ivanhoe's 20 minutes abs and 20 minutes thighs and butts... what a fantastic way to spend 40 minutes.  A coworker and I grabbed our yoga mats, our workout clothes, booked the boardroom and hit the mat.  Nice way to relax, slow down and reset the body for the rest of the day. 

Namaste.

Day 2: Relaxing Moments

I have this wonderful DVD called "Yoga in Bed"... although it sounds like it could be x-rated, it isn't.  It's all about relaxation techniques, learning to calm the mind, learning to focus on the breath and experience deep relaxation. After a long day at work, dropping Nick at the airport, making lunches, walking dog - the relaxation was so welcomed. Take a moment, breathe in deeply - as you breathe in slowly let your belly fill out completely and then as  you slowly exhale, let the belly deflate.  Do it slowly, do it deeply and enjoy the sense of calm that comes over you.

Namaste,
Pat

A Daily Visit to the Mat - 30 Day Yoga Challenge

"It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  

The month of September is always a hectic one in my household; we are switching out kayaks and canoes for gymnastics clubs and dance studios. September flies by so quickly and I realize that I've not been connecting with my mat as often as I want (or need to).  I've been heading out to the fitness club and doing nightly walks but have been feeling that something is missing  - and that thing is my consistency of doing yoga.  For those of you who know me these past few years, you are well aware of my love of the practice. It's what keeps me centered and grounded. A year ago, I did a 30 day yoga challenge and although challenging, it was so rewarding.  At six o'clock this evening, I decided I would do another challenge - starting tonight.  So Day 1 is done - only 29 more to go.

The heart of the 30 day challenge is commitment.  It means making a promise to myself and following through on it.  It means promising to practice for a certain amount of time each day and just doing it.   Because of my home and work life, I will not set unrealistic goals that I cannot commit to but will commit to a goal that pushes me. There will be days I will do 2 hours of yoga and there will be days that I will only be able to do 30 minutes but I will do it!

Namaste'