Yoga Home Practice for March-- Challenge and Support

[SweetSilver]

Is anyone interested joining me?  

I've been doing a daily yoga practice for 2 straight months after years of feeling like I should, and I would love to have some extra support to keep going!

So, here's what to do:

A. Dedicate yourself to setting a goal to do some form of yoga practice daily for one month

B. Record your practice here in whatever way is helpful to you.

First, introduce yourself and let us know:

1.  Who are you?

2.  What are your goals for this month?

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life.

4.  Any sage advice to share?

Hop on in!  Anyone can join us at any point during the month.  Start recording right away, if you want.  No need to wait until March.

IF WE GET A GOOD RESPONSE, WE'LL DO THIS AGAIN IN APRIL!

Edited by SweetSilver - 2/26/13 at 6:55pm

[SweetSilver]

1.  Who are you?  I'm a homeschooling mama of two girls, 6 and 8, who finally let me do nearly an entire yoga practice without interruption..... mostly!  

2.  What are your goals for this month?  Low bar: at least one round of sun salutations every day.  Otherwise, a 1/2 hour-ish routine built around 10 sun salutations.  

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life.  I have studied yoga for about 10 years, now, and it satisfies both my need for physical motion, and it is about as close to religion as I get.  A home practice has been helping me calm nerves, make my body supple and strong, even though it is only about 15-30 minutes.

ETA:  In a practical sense, I can't afford yoga classes any more, and even when I did, I live so far and my time is so limited I found myself stressing about getting to class on time, etc.  It simply didn't make sense.

Also, I find when I give myself my own time to practice, I have the luxury to listen to my own inner teacher, to follow my intuition as to what my body wants and needs, to give myself time to be mindful about moving into and out of poses.  

4.  Any sage advice to share?  Set the bar low to start.  You don't need yoga clothes, just get yourself doing that *one* sun salutation every day, even if it is waiting for the kids' gym class to finish.  On your sluggish days, focus on your breath through just a very few salutations, as a "place holder" for your home practice.  Finally, yoga with kids around is more a state of calm attentiveness, not the deep, sweet meditation you had BK (before kids).  Embrace it, and don't get too frustrated with interruptions.

Edited by SweetSilver - 2/25/13 at 6:58pm

[j.e.n]

Oooh. Fun! I'm willing to give this a try (albeit a modified version!)

1.  Who are you?  I'm a homeschooling, part-time WAHM of four kiddos 5 and under.

2.  What are your goals for this month?  Umm, my goals are SUPER low bar. I'm going to aim for one full session per week. Anything above that will be golden! 

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life.  I first started practicing yoga about 20 years ago as a teen, but it's place and dominance in my life has ebbed and flowed. I have always enjoyed home yoga and the environment it provides to feel the most relaxed and present. Yoga calms my mind, provides focus and increases my strength and flexibility.

4.  Any sage advice to share?  Take it slow. Life can get crazy, do what you can and celebrate the small milestones. You may miss a day(s), not be as limber as you want, etc - and that's okay. Everyone has to start somewhere, the key is to keep going.

LOVE SweetSilver's comment about breath. Great advice and applicable during any moment throughout the day!

[SweetSilver]

I think a once-a week intention is a good goal.  I also count my long walks that I like to take, as they are quite meditative for me.

Here's a sample of yesterday's practice:

3 sun salutations  

"Mom!  Potty!"

Downward dog 

"Mom?  What's 8 plus 6?"

"14."

Warrior I, right side

"Mom?  That means I'm missing 2 fairies!  Where are they?"

Warrior II

"I don't know.  I'm planning on cleaning up after I get ready for the day."

Downward dog

"MOM!!"

Warrior I, left side

"Yes?"

"CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THEM, PLEEEEEEASE!!!!"

Look for fairies.

Eagle pose.

"Mom, how do you spell 'August'?"

Half Moon pose

A....U...(pant pant)...G....U.... (inhale)....S....T.....

This is about how it is.

Well, two people is a start, so here goes!

[MrsGregory]

1.  Who are you?

Mrs. Gregory

2.  What are your goals for this month?

I'd like to practice yoga during the workweek, regularly, meaning sun salutations in the morning and a brief night-time routine before bed.  Anything in the middle will be gravy.

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life.

Yoga became a really important part of my life about 10 years ago.  A home practice is the only yoga available to me right now, with a toddler and other, more pressing financial considerations.  I'm very happy with a home practice.  I am unsure I can ever fully relax with other humans around, such as in a class setting. 

4.  Any sage advice to share?

Trim your cat's claws, because they will hop on your back during down dog. 

[micah_mae_]

Hi! So I'm having a baby this month, are there any poses for right after childbirth? Like, do in bed type stuff? If so I'd like to start!

1.  Who are you?

Micah, mom of almost 3 boys. 9 months pregnant with #3 and the first two are 2 and 4. That about sums up my life right now, lol.

2.  What are your goals for this month? I just found out I have ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine/hips). I'm starting a daily regimen of walking and yoga along with weekly chiropractic adjustments to help retain health and mobility..right now my SI joint is trying to fuse and I'm dealing with a lot of daily pain.

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life. I am brand new to yoga, but I am hopeful that it will help give me back some peace (3 boys, remember?) and physical health, healing and mobility.

[SweetSilver]

Originally Posted by MrsGregory 

4.  Any sage advice to share?

Trim your cat's claws, because they will hop on your back during down dog. 

 I've never had that happen, but I have had both my girls climb on me and crawl under me.  

[j.e.n]

Originally Posted by SweetSilver 

I think a once-a week intention is a good goal.  I also count my long walks that I like to take, as they are quite meditative for me.

Here's a sample of yesterday's practice:

3 sun salutations  

"Mom!  Potty!"

Downward dog 

"Mom?  What's 8 plus 6?"

"14."

Warrior I, right side

"Mom?  That means I'm missing 2 fairies!  Where are they?"

Warrior II

"I don't know.  I'm planning on cleaning up after I get ready for the day."

Downward dog

"MOM!!"

Warrior I, left side

"Yes?"

"CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THEM, PLEEEEEEASE!!!!"

Look for fairies.

Eagle pose.

"Mom, how do you spell 'August'?"

Half Moon pose

A....U...(pant pant)...G....U.... (inhale)....S....T.....

This is about how it is.

Well, two people is a start, so here goes!

DYING OF LAUGHTER!! That sums up my life ALL. DAY. LONG. The attention seems to always be more pressing if I am trying to focus on anything else. lol!

[j.e.n]

Originally Posted by micah_mae_ 

Hi! So I'm having a baby this month, are there any poses for right after childbirth? Like, do in bed type stuff? If so I'd like to start!

2.  What are your goals for this month? I just found out I have ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine/hips). I'm starting a daily regimen of walking and yoga along with weekly chiropractic adjustments to help retain health and mobility..right now my SI joint is trying to fuse and I'm dealing with a lot of daily pain.

Congrats on the baby!! There are a lot of gentle poses you could do post-birth. Your body does so much changing after you have a baby - lots going on! :o)

I have a relative with AS as well. I feel for you. That kind of discomfort can really be debilitating and hard to bear. I hope the routine and adjustments are providing you with some relief. That's a tough burden, especially when you are pregnant!

Namaste ladies!

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by j.e.n 

Congrats on the baby!! There are a lot of gentle poses you could do post-birth. Your body does so much changing after you have a baby - lots going on! :o)

I have a relative with AS as well. I feel for you. That kind of discomfort can really be debilitating and hard to bear. I hope the routine and adjustments are providing you with some relief. That's a tough burden, especially when you are pregnant!

Namaste ladies!

As hard as it is physically, it's mostly an emotional issue right now. I'm only 25 :-/ I'm hoping yoga can help with that aspect as well. We'll see! Starting tomorrow!

[FaithHopeLove29]

I'm not yet doing yoga again, but I'd kind of like to join in here to hold myself accountable and get started again.

1.  Who are you? I'm Jen, mom to a 9-month old high-energy boy, wife, and full-time grad student.

2.  What are your goals for this month? To start yoga again - my goal this month is to do yoga once a week.

3.  Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life. I started a daily morning yoga routine to center myself for the day and help with aches and pains from sitting all day. I got out of practice a bit while pregnant, and since DS was born I have had no time for exercise other than walking with him. Now DS will play for 10-20 minutes on his own at a time, and he goes to bed a few hours before me at night, so I should be able to get some yoga in every day if I can remember how to do it without having to put a video in. I'll work up to every day though! Even just meditation, relaxation, and breathing would be good for me to remember to do each night.

4.  Any sage advice to share?

Nice to meet you all! :)

[SweetSilver]

Originally Posted by micah_mae_ 

Hi! So I'm having a baby this month, are there any poses for right after childbirth? Like, do in bed type stuff? If so I'd like to start!

I did not keep up with yoga for a long time.  I know my back was killing me, first from being pregnant for nearly 10 months, then wearing and carrying a baby, lifting a toddler while wearing said baby.  It was so painful!

Yoga in bed:

Body scan

Tense and relax

Lie down and engage your legs as if you are going to lift them, but don't actually lift them--keep a slight, natural arch in your back.

Supine cobbler pose

Lie on belly and lift legs and arms 

Cat Cow

Child's pose or Prayer pose

Any other suggestions?

[SweetSilver]

KEY:

= energetic routine & feeling amazing!

  = 10 sun salutations or equivalent

 = at least I did something

 = got my walk

 = I'm sure I had some excuse!

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3  Taking the day off today  Got a short walk in

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9  Completely forgot!

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14  Charged out of the house to get car into the shop

15  Out of town.....

16  ...... completely forgot

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Edited by SweetSilver - 3/17/13 at 10:02am

[FaithHopeLove29]

I don't have any poses to add for gentle yoga post partum - you've got a great list there SS.

I finally wrote down the flow for sun salutations and plan to do some tonight or tomorrow morning. :)

[pickle18]

1. Who are you?  I'm a SAHM to a BUSY, spirited lil fella (22 months) who keeps me constantly on the go and on my toes! 

2. What are your goals for this month?  I'm stealing from SweetSilver - at least ONE round of sun salutations every day, hopefully working up to 20-30 min. per day to start. 

3. Tell us a bit about the place of yoga, and a yoga home practice, in your life.  Yoga has been vital to me for many years - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically.  I used to enjoy an hour or so of practice a day BK (love that) - now, things are very different, and it's taken me a while to adjust.  For the longest time, yoga was something I would "get back into when x happens..."  I kept thinking my high needs baby would magically mellow, but he's still zooming at top speed, and clingy as a koala bear.  

One day, I read a post on MDC (I think by CherryBombMama) talking about doing 20 minutes of "non-perfect yoga" with a baby on the floor by her, and a toddler climbing on her, and a preschooler playing/whining nearby.  It had honestly never dawned on me that I could do such a thing until then (and if she could do it with THREE kids...) - now my motto is "some yoga is better than no yoga!" I've learned to knock out a sun salutation with cars driving all over (and under) my body, and did 10 minutes of an old yoga video yesterday with an indignant, protesting toddler pushing, climbing and pulling me every which way (kind of gives new meaning to finding my center ).  

4. Any sage advice to share?  Something is better than nothing, no matter how distracted or imperfect or brief.  Honestly, I was amazed at the dramatic change in my posture (and mood) yesterday after just 10 minutes of decidedly "non-perfect" yoga.

Originally Posted by SweetSilver 

4.  Any sage advice to share?  Set the bar low to start.  You don't need yoga clothes, just get yourself doing that *one* sun salutation every day, even if it is waiting for the kids' gym class to finish.  On your sluggish days, focus on your breath through just a very few salutations, as a "place holder" for your home practice.  Finally, yoga with kids around is more a state of calm attentiveness, not the deep, sweet meditation you had BK (before kids).  Embrace it, and don't get too frustrated with interruptions.

  I love this.  Yoga used to be a deep, spiritual experience that almost put me into a trance for an hour or more afterwards.  Now it's decidedly more of a "real world" application and test of my meditation skills than a mystical retreat, but that's ok.  Kids are only kids once. 

Also, I have a perfectionistic tendency in general to not try at all if it can't be done right - paralyzing fear of failure, all of that.  I'm hoping working on this, in the midst of craziness, will help me get out of my head and into a more self-disciplined place, and that that courage and commitment to TRY will spill over into other areas of my life!

[FaithHopeLove29]

SweetSilver and Pickle - I love the advice you shared! Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to get from "I'll start back up eventually" to "I'm doing yoga!" :) I can't believe how much I am feeling just this little bit of yoga. A little sore in muscles, a LOT less back ache/hip pain/shoulder pain. I'm resetting my goal already, to do at least something every day. It's worth it! :)

So I guess I'll start my calendar:

3/2 - 10 sun salutations

3/3 - 8 sun salutations

....

[SweetSilver]

UFF DA!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetSilver 

KEY:

= energetic routine & feeling amazing!

  = 10 sun salutations

 = at least I did something

 = got my walk

= oh, well, tomorrow for sure

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[pickle18]

Off to a slooooooow start, but I knocked out 2 sun salutations today - boo-yah!   Better than nothing, for sure.

[SweetSilver]

Originally Posted by pickle18 

Better than nothing, for sure.

Some days one seems like a grand achievement!

Here's a question for everyone:

What do you use for props, if any?  

At classes, I'm always the one to grab 2 or 3 bolsters, 2 blocks, 2 blankets, a strap and an extra mat for folding up.  I have always liked my aikido belt for a strap, but I've had less luck with the other props.  Recently I've used a shoebox-size plastic box for a block-- none too comfy for some uses, like between the thighs.  Sweaters get stuffed under hips for pigeon pose.  Nothing seems like an ideal substitute.  

[pickle18]

I have a purple yoga strap and a cork block (by Gaiam) - the cork block is light weight and surprisingly tough, plus the edges are rounded, so it's really comfortable. for any use.