Stress is a funny thing. Sometimes, mental and emotional stress takes the form of physical stress. It can make you as tired as if you have run a long distance. It can make you physically sore. And, stress can self-perpetuate. Think about when you have a quick bout of anxiety – like a close call in a car or bus. Do you tense your shoulders and neck? Over time, long-term stress makes us tense all over.
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
This week I finished a 14-day yoga challenge. That’s right. I practiced yoga every day for two weeks. When I began the challenge, I wasn’t sure if I could really find the time to practice every day. I thought: well, I already wake up early for many of my workouts, and my evening routine is pretty full – how will I find the time?
My friend Michelle is a wellness coach, and reached out to me with this challenge. She assured me that there would be a group of people taking on the challenge, so I wouldn’t be alone. And, I didn’t need much … just a yoga mat, a beach towel (for some sessions) and some space on the living room floor. So, I thought – why not give this a try?
Challenges with groups work well for me because I am an obliger. This means that when I respond to expectations, I often meet outer expectations, but have a harder time meetings expectations I place on myself. So, finding a partner or group to keep me accountable is a good thing. (ps – want to know your tendency? Take a quiz that Gretchen Rubin (author of The Happiness Project) wrote to help you find out!)
So, when I practiced yoga every day for two weeks, here are the 7 changes I felt:
1. I felt more productive. Because I had to plan each day around my yoga practice, the time I spent cleaning, cooking, and doing other evening activities became more efficient so that I could squeeze in the 30 minutes (or so) of yoga.
2. I remembered to breathe through tough moments. Yoga is all about focussing on the breath. Because I practicing this regularly, I paid attention to my breath even during the times I wasn’t practicing yoga.
3. I felt more effective during my regular workouts. Because I was taking the time to stretch every day, my strength and cardio workouts (yes, I also kept exercising during this time) were much more pleasant and I had greater range of motion during those workouts.
4. I was more mindful. Taking time each day to “be in the moment” helped me remember to practice mindfulness throughout the day.
5. I had more energy. I know that sounds a little funny, but working out and devoting a little extra energy for my body made me more energetic throughout the day. I found myself staying more attentive at work and being more present at home.
6. I felt stronger. Doing vinyasa flow is no joke- it involves some powerful pushups! And, doing that every day did make me feel stronger. Also, I felt stronger emotionally – more resilient and peaceful.
7. I became more flexible. I am including my “before” and “after” pictures to demonstrate. In these photos, you can see how much more flexible I became just after two weeks.
Now that I have practiced yoga every day for two weeks, I have proven that I can practice it at least once per week from now on. The benefits are amazing!
If you are interested in joining a yoga (or any workout) challenge, feel free to reach out to a wellness coach like my friend Michelle. Or, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter to get tips, recipes, and motivation!
Have you challenged yourself to practice yoga before? How did you feel?
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
Are you curious about holistic medicine and wellness? If you are, this is the post for you. I recently finished a book by one of my favorite holistic medicine experts, Tieraona Low Dog. I learned so much about finding wellness through holistic methods while reading this book. Continue reading Holistic Medicine, Health and Wellness→
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
If you know me, you know that I make a lot of my meals at home. And here’s a secret: I modify recipes to match my food philosophy. Today, I’m going to talk about how I make my meals healthy, even when I work from a recipe. Here are 10 tips on how to cook healthier:
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
Especially during the cooler winter months, it can be tough to wake up and head to the gym. Make it easier on yourself by exercising at home. These 10 tips will get you started and show you how to exercise at home: Continue reading How to exercise at home: 10 tips to get you started→
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
When it comes to party foods served on game day, many of us turn to options that are greasy, salty, or super-sweet. Here are ten party foods for the big game that will keep the football fans at your party happy and healthy. Continue reading Ten Healthy (and Super) Game Day Party Foods→
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
The holiday season is well underway. Thanksgiving brought friends and families together, and now people are celebrating the light of the season. It’s easy during the winter to forego an exercise routine. Most of us start and end our work days in the dark. But, this season is the perfect time to re-focus your commitment to exercise. It will pay off when you are considering your New Year’s Resolutions come January. In this post, I’ll give you 10 tips to keep you exercising this holiday season.
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
Can you believe it? This week marks one year of blogging. It’s been quite a journey–and by writing to you, I have learned so much about celebrating creative productivity, healthy living, and purposeful growth. Continue reading Lessons Learned from a Year of Blogging→
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!
Celebrating creative productivity, healthy living, and purposeful growth
