So, there it is. I did yoga… for 30 days… in-a-row. (You can read my intro post here, for my history with the practice, and what lead up to this.) I learned a bunch and what I learned is worth sharing; this stuff applies to anything you might want to bring into or change about your life…
Baby Steps – Finding the Space in THIS Life (i.e. the one you are currently living)
Through my own experience – with this yoga thing, with WW, even with our household budget – and SO much that I have read, I am convinced that any/all change is more sustainable if it happens with a series of small steps and mini-goals. The thought of “moving mountains” and/or, taking on Herculean tasks, is a major contributor to procrastination and can keep us from making positive change in our lives. Change is tough – certainly, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” If we want to make change it has to fit within the “construct” of life as we know it…
- There is no way I could have done “30YogaDays” at a studio everyday. A studio would have added hours I don’t have… (mostly in getting there, but also the length of session).
- There was nothing so strenuous as to require major dietary changes…(didn’t need the pressure of starving or being grumpy all the time). If anything, I needed to drink more water. In the 1st week, I swear I was feeling icky as a result of “stuff” moving around. ///You know how when you get a massage the messuese tells you to drink lots of water..?… how the water helps flush out the “stuff” from the massage…? I think I was moving some stuff in that 1st week!///
- I wasn’t controlled by weather or the operating hours of a gym (or studio class); this felt very freeing in a life that sometimes feels over-committed.
An Unforeseen Outcome:
As the weather begins to cool here in the Northeast, and the leaves begin to change, I am ready to run again. In my intro post on “30YogaDays” I said I was considering if I am a “runner” … As a cool unforseen outcome, this “30YogaDays” has allowed for an interesting shift. Before, “being a runner” or “being a yogi” felt like some sort of *solid state destination*. By making this a practice – a regular discipline – my expression has become: “I practice yoga” … the practice builds, it’s continuous, it teaches me things about myself… it’s a reflection of my life, in some ways.
And so I will treat running the same way – I will develop the discipline and not worry about “arriving” at a “destination”…
Doing “30YogaDays” has been about commitment to the practice and not about “if I feel like it”…or even how good I feel coming out of it! It’s knowing that I am committing to it and that I am adopting the discipline because I believe the Greater Good is worth whatever “sacrifice” required to make it happen.
For me, the Greater Good means a few things:
- increased physical health
- increased flexibility (not hurting when it’s time to squat at the pantry or bend to pick something up)
- my back is healthier (I have a lower back issue from years ago)
- the “issue” with my quad has gone (I can’t even remember if it was the right or left!)
- increased control/shift in attitude (knowing I’ve taken the time for something mind/body just for ME every darn day)
- confidence that comes from doing a very positive thing for myself
Yoga as a Companion
“30YogaDays” has been a supportive friend -> in particular, I’ve been on a mini-travel circuit, one that I do every fall. This year has been the most “controlled” – while I still get that necessary adrenaline that accompanies any presentation delivery (I am there to train our company newhires), this time it’s been more manageable and I’ve been more “ready” to move onto the next thing after each session. Who knows if it’s the effect of the yoga or just finally “settling in” after all these years… no matter what, the result is WAY better!
On the Flip:
What I didn’t get from yoga, that I do get from more cardiovascular exercise, is that really mellow space after pushing my body. The physical and mental peace is not quite as intense with MY yoga (if I were going to a heated room, 90 minute yoga flow class, I would get this) – ///though, maybe the yoga effect is milder, but kinda “stays with you”/doesn’t wear off the same way…? Yoga could be considered the “extended-release” version of hardcore exercise!///
The return to running, as mentioned above, will allow the endorphin effects of harder workouts. My two longest days, Tuesday and Wednesdays would be the BEST for adding running (endorphins would be welcome!), but the rub is that the time just isn’t there. (Tues starts with 5am wake-up and I’m not home until 7.45pm; the number of things required in order to run when I am in the city trumps any benefit of the actual running!) I will continue to do yoga daily!
How About Motivation?
Sometimes the nitty gritty of execution can kill one’s motivation. For example, it takes some effort to have all the bits in place such that yoga happens daily (clothes ready, mat ready, space ready, time worked into routine); and sometimes it’s difficult to set it all up (I’m tired, too many social commitments, or I just want to watch a little TV!)! For too long, I could not figure out the pieces and my execution sucked. But now I know that being properly prepared – having my “bits” in alignment ready for *the yoga* (or whatever) – is pretty important.
The “organization” piece can seem so pedestrian, but it’s stupidly important because of what the *yoga practice* affords me. Creating a similar structure to make the running happen -> it’s the same thing. There is effort in setting it all up. But the reason to do so is because of what the “practice” affords me. I need to focus on what these disciplines bring as my motivation. I encourage any of you to seek the true valued result in anything you’d like to change or bring into your life; and let THAT motivate you! But also honor the effort in getting yourself set up for this change…and approach with baby steps (and kindness!).
Have any of you taken a more “baby step” approach to add activity into your life (instead of shocking your system into a dramatic new routine?)..? What about your approach made it effective and why? Or maybe it wasn’t effective for the long haul…? Please respond in the comments section below!
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