I started a daily yoga practice.
For the last 45 days, I have risen before the sun to practice yoga before I started work or before I started my weekend. Most days I finish my day with a short yoga exercise.
This is the most I have EVER practiced yoga – even more when I did the 30-day Bikram challenge back in the day.
Here’s the difference between now and then. I am completely on my own. There’s no shiny, happy face waiting to greet me at the yoga studio. No fancy board to place a star by my name after a class.
I have to find my own inner yogi to get my ass to the mat. Believe me it hasn’t been easy especially on those days when I just want to flop on the couch after a run or after a late night.
Weeks ago I made a promise to myself. I would get my groggy butt out of bed and practice before I clock in at 6 a.m. It didn’t matter if it was 10 minutes or 15 minutes, I would get my yoga on before I started my day. My friend Trina hooked me up with this simple app that has programs that run from eight minutes to 40 minutes. Great variety.
The key was actually getting out of bed when my alarm sounded. Since I started working at home, I would generally stumble out of bed 10 minutes before I started work. I would pour myself a cup of ambition then immediately begin working. I would take a quick break at 9 or 10 but mostly I was just go-go-go.
I knew crashing into my day wasn’t helping me physically or mentality. Within days I started to feel the benefits of easing into my day and truly welcoming the new day. I had better concentration at work and I felt more focused. I didn’t feel as rushed or anxious.
Final words
I have been focusing on my improving health for several months now. (I mean I am not totally unwell but you know we can always do better.) Getting a low iron diagnosis really threw my actions into high gear. My flexibility isn’t anything like it used to be but that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel. If anything, now is the time to get on it before it gets even worse.
Do you practice yoga? What have you added to your day since the pandemic? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.