Day 49 of Yoga
Yoga Challenge
(c)Melanie Parish, 2013
It is early in the morning. I am awake. One of the dogs woke me up and now I am enjoying writing–trying not to think about how tired I am going to be if I don’t get back to bed. I’ll go to yoga in a little while but for now, it is so quiet and peaceful that I am loving writing.
Tomorrow is my 50th day of yoga in a row. It has been such a lovely journey. This week I finished Moksha Yoga studio’s 30 day challenge, but because I began a 21 day challenge that overlapped, tomorrow will be 50 days for me. It has been fun to be on a shared journey with my new yoga friends. But now I feel like I am back on my own journey–isn’t exercise always a solitary journey? It seems I am always trying to find my way with exercise and peace in my soul.
One of the best parts of this 50 days of yoga, is that for the last 49 days I have never felt guilty about not exercising. I haven’t felt like I “should” be doing something different. I have known what fitness I am doing and when every day. It has worked for me and has lightened the psychic load for me.
My parents tithe financially, that is, they give a set amount each year to charity based on their income. I once asked my dad why they did it. He said, “I never have to wonder if I give enough.” The idea of that is fascinating and I have experienced this 50 days of yoga with parallel peace of mind about exercise. I never have to wonder if I am doing enough.
Knowing I am doing enough has illuminated some of the bad advice I sometimes get, too. I saw a kinesiologist who suggested I do some cardio.
“But I do yoga every day,” I said, stunned.
“Yes, but that is just stretching,” he replied.
“Have you ever taken a yoga class?” I queried.
“No,” he admitted.
“Maybe you should,” I suggested helpfully.
Because I am so clear that I am pushing my body to its edges, I was completely sure he was wrong. It clarifies for me some of the misinformation that is constantly present–especially around weight loss and exercise.
Anyway, I am excited about finishing 50 days of yoga. I am toying with the idea of another 50. I’m not sure I am ready to do anything else other than yoga and the last 50 days have been so fantastic.
**My initial 21 day yoga challenge turned into a 200 day yoga challenge – share the journey with me starting here
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