The Beguiled Child

Yoga is difficult. 🧘‍♂️

As I’ve said previously, I have never found traditional mindfulness activities effortless. I find it especially difficult to concentrate on my breath and move slowly. My mind is continuously racing and my body just wants to be in constant motion, which is why I enjoy rock climbing. Except for the fact that many rock climbers swear by yoga! And research indicates that yoga is great for depression, anxiety, and trauma responses (all things I am greatly familiar with).

I’ve tried multiple times to start a yoga habit or challenge, usually, I give up after a few days or a couple of weeks. I’m not flexible, I feel a lack of control over my thoughts, and I just couldn’t stick with it. I always wanted to nap on the mat…

Yesterday, I started a 30-day yoga challenge. Yoga with Adriene is a channel I’ve followed on YouTube for some time without ever actually using the videos (I’ll get around to it eventually, right?). But after a friend completed the challenge and recommended (like so many others before her) that I give it a try, I decided it was time to try again.

I mean with an online community of over 9 million subscribers and a library of over 500 free videos, there has to be something I can stick with, right?!

If you find yourself (like me) making excuses or having a difficult time getting into the yoga habit, I invite you to complete this challenge with me. Important note: This blog does not have any affiliation with Adriene, I just think that her information is excellent.

Check out Yoga with Adriene and see if it’s maybe something you’d be into. I find her very descriptive (unlike when I’m told to do Dhanurasana and I have no idea what that is) and non-judgmental which are key factors to making me stick with it.

Personally, I have started with the Breath 30-day Yoga Journey (see picture below). On her site and YouTube channel, you will find that she has many other 30-day journeys or even single episodes of more specific subjects. If you are interested in a 30-day option, she has a link on her webpage for daily emails reminding you and motivating you to keep going.

Some of the other videos that I found interesting are posted in the pictures below. I think this is a great resource for literally anyone. She has videos that are made for individuals in wheelchairs, that have limited mobility, and all kinds of emotional difficulties, not to mention super interesting or weird ones (that sound awesome!).

I’ll try to post an update on my progress in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, I will be able to stick with it! If you would like to join me or would like help getting started, reach out! We can all motivate one another!