Last updated on September 30th, 2021 at 10:16 am
On a whim, I challenged myself to do at least 10 minutes of yoga every day for the month of August. I had never done this much yoga before, although when you add it up it is only 310 minutes of yoga – about 5 yoga classes, give or take a class. I came up with a sequence based on some suggestions I found online and my favorite poses from class.
I’m not a yoga teacher. I am barely a yoga student. So why did I do it? Well, I am only 30 but I am starting to feel old. My joints are cracking, back is hurting, and my grouchiness level is way above what I would like it to be. At my last yoga class in July, it was my yoga teacher’s birthday, and she said at age 43 she felt better than she did at age 33 because of the yoga. I thought maybe I could try increasing my yoga — maybe it would make me feel younger and more calm.
The first week was rough, but I kept telling myself that I was going to push through. I read somewhere that it takes 10 times to make a habit and I wanted it to be a habit. I woke up and the first thing I did was my yoga routine – every day, for 31 days. And then I kept going.
The morning check in was good for me. I could tell when I had had a good night’s sleep based on how I got through it. I felt good for already being productive first thing in the morning. My husband went on a week-long business trip and I set my alarm even earlier to make sure I could get my yoga in before my twin toddlers woke up (crazy). The kids started doing yoga poses with me if they see me, sometimes crawling under my poses shouting “mommy tunnel!” And now, if I ask them to do yoga they get into downward dog (so cute).
Self-care can take many forms but I was surprised at what turns out is not self care for me. During the first month of my personal “yoga challenge” there were a few days when I felt rotten and we watched a lot of TV and sat around. I felt even worse. I stayed up late because I “needed” more “me” time. Then the next day my yoga was a mess and my mood matched. I ate more chocolate and junk food “to treat myself” and ended up feeling worse and my yoga really suffered.
I’ve continued the daily yoga into September. Some mornings I really do not want to do it, but I do it anyway, and by the time it’s over I feel good and glad I didn’t break my streak. I don’t know how long it will last, but I consider every day a small victory. So although I am still dealing with my joints cracking, back hurting, and not-infrequent grouchy moments, beginning each day with an accomplishment has certainly helped replenish myself before I hit the ground running.
Robin Sheldon is an artist and therapist, currently staying at home full time with her 17 month old twins and two cats while her husband hunts and gathers. She recently moved from city to suburb and what a transition it has been!
