Yoga Challenge: Day 43

Day: 43
Yoga Sessions: 12
$ for missed days: $32

Well, today is Good Friday which means Lent is now over and with it, my yoga challenge.
Despite only doing yoga on less than 30% I don't know if I would call it a failure.
I've raised money for a good cause, learned a bunch of new poses, discovered some awesome new yoga podcasts and videos and discovered how much better I felt on the days I *did* get some yoga in.

This definitely isn't the end of yoga for me. It was a great learning opportunity and I'm excited to get back on the mat.

Yoga Challenge: Day 25

Day: 25
Yoga Sessions: 10
$ for missed days: $16

Man, did I fall off the wagon or what? Both in blogging and my yoga practice.
I've only done yoga 4 times since I last posted, including last night. I could blame all sorts of things, but that's besides the point.

At least I've raised $16 for the Outreach for Hunger so far!

Yoga Challenge: Day 8

Day: 8
Yoga Sessions: 6
$ for missed days: $3

Yep. I missed another day. Had a night out at the theatre last night to see Stomp and when I got home it completely slipped my mind.

My sister and her baby are down for a visit so she wanted to do some yoga with me. I popped in Just My Size as it's the only thing I have on DVD. Practicing with a baby in the room is not great for concentration let me tell you! My sister stopped after a short while, so I was able to focus better for the remainder.

Yoga Challenge: Day 6

Day: 6
Yoga Sessions: 5
$ for missed days: $2

I tried out another new podcast tonight, this time from Yoga Journal. I decided to go with their Evening Sequence. I prefer the YOGAmazing before bed sequence to this one, but I still enjoyed it. It also gave me a chance to crack out my new yoga strap.
I also found myself holding down dogs much steadier and longer.
Progress!

Yoga Challenge: Day 5

Day: 5
Yoga Sessions: 4
$ for missed days: $2

Tonight I decided to practice my sun salutation. This was my first attempt at leading myself through a session, and honestly, I don't think I am ready to do that yet. I didn't have very good concentration when holding my poses because I was already thinking about which came next.

I ended the session with a nice, long legs up the wall inversion. I think this is my favourite pose ever. It is the perfect response to sitting at a desk all day. I'll probably end most nights with some time in this position, even after my challenge is over.

Yoga Challenge: Day 4

Day: 4
Yoga Sessions: 3
$ for missed days: $2

Today I tried out a new podcast called YOGAmazing. I decided to go with Episode 256 - Yoga Before Bed since I was still feeling wired from a fun day and I should really be winding down about now.

Needless to say, I loved it. I really enjoy the instructor, Chaz, and this session left me feeling all melty and glorious and completely relaxed. Mission accomplished.

I will definitely return to other YOGAmazing podcast episodes!

Yoga Challenge: Day 3

Day: 3
Yoga Sessions: 2
$ for missed days: $2

I had high hopes for today. I was going to wake up nice and early to try out the yoga program on my tv which airs at 6:30am.
Alas, the snooze button seduced me and I wasn't up in time.
I just got home from a busy day, and it's already tomorrow!
Whoops!

Yoga Challenge: Day 2

Day: 2
Yoga Sessions: 2
$ for missed days: $1

Decided to crack out ye olde balance board for a bit of wii Fit Plus yoga which was an adventure in itself as the batteries in it were dead.

I do like the wii as it really forces me to focus on balance and breath and doesn't allow you to just go through the motions. It actually yelled at me today! I was on my very last posture and I was feeling a bit sleepy. I only dropped my legs for a second and the trainer yelled "Hey! These muscles won't train themselves you know!" Someone's sassy!

Yoga Challenge: Day 1

Day: 1
Yoga Sessions: 1
$ for missed days: $1


I kicked off the challenge this evening with a DVD I rented from zip.ca called 'Just My Size Yoga'. The DVD is led by plus sized model Megan Garcia and features a beginners routine with modified poses for larger bodies.

While the introduction is almost painfully cheesey, the rest of the DVD is a good relaxing routine for beginners and people who find standard yoga routines a bit difficult.

Not sure how often I'll use this DVD as I find it too easy, but it may be good to have on hand for if I'm not feeling well or late night sessions when I am more than a little sleepy.

The Lent Yoga Challenge.

A few years ago I stopped giving things up for lent. I'd either give up something like junk food only to fall off the wagon less than 2 weeks in or I'd give up something useless that I wouldn't really miss anyway. One year in college was an exception. I gave up meat for 40 days which turned into me becoming vegetarian for about 2 years.

This year I have decided to set myself a challenge to do yoga every day until Easter. I'll try to blog about each session for accountability. Also, instead of getting frustrated and giving up if I miss a day, I'll donate $1 to a charity (to be determined) at the end for every one I've missed.

Starting with $1 for yesterday.