My relationship with yoga and meditation is one that goes in waves. While I love both I often find a pile of excuses as to why I can’t make time to practice either. Excuses include:
I’m too tired.
I don’t have childcare and my kids are too wild to do it at home.
I have to work.
I can’t afford ($$) going to a studio.
I don’t have time.
The reality is everything in life is a choice and I am simply choosing not to practice. That being said I have made a choice to change my reality. I know that practicing yoga and meditation will….
… provide me with more energy throughout the day.
… allow me to be more mindful when I am with my crazy kids.
… help me to be more focused during my work time.
… make me healthier and happier because I am investing in my health.
… remind me that there is always time for myself.
Who else could use a little shift in their reality? How many of these excuses have you used?
So this month I am challenging myself to return to yoga and meditation for my health, my sense of self and my wellbeing. My goal being that I come out feeling more calm, peaceful, self aware and ideally more flexible.
Plans for the challenge:
Unlike previous yoga challenges that I have done this one isn’t about doing yoga everyday, however daily mediation is a significant part of the challenge.
- Attend one yoga class per week. Before you protest this let’s all be honest with ourselves we get way more out of a yoga practice when it is done in a community setting. You do have the time and you can afford to do it. If you don’t have studio you love plan to try a few different ones out. If you want to save money look for free classes (often athletic apparel stores hold free classes) or sliding scale/donation classes.
- Practice yoga at home for 15-30 (ore more) minutes 1-3x week. You can opt to take your practice to the studio if you’d like but for flexibility sake you are welcome to practice at home. You can follow a video or just simply do you own thing.
- Meditate EVERYDAY. Yes I said it EVERYDAY. Now take a deep breath I’m not talking sitting for hours meditating. Start with 3-5 minutes and increase a minute or two until you get to 20 minutes (or more). You can use apps, practice repeating a mantra to yourself or simply sit and focus on your breath.
That is it.
So who is ready to commit with me?
