Inspired by Kath’s (and others’) regular practice of yoga, I have decided to devote the month of March to a 31-day yoga challenge.
The rules are simple: For a day to qualify, there must be a minimum of 20 minutes of structured yoga. For me, this means some sort of guided yoga, like yogadownload.com’s audio sessions, yoga videos, or an in-person class. I officially start the challenge on Sunday, March 1.
My posts will include various insights, lessons learned, observations, difficulties, physical and mental changes, and, in general, track my progress throughout my 31-day yoga journey. I know this challenge isn’t going to be a piece of cake, especially with the crazy life that I lead. But, hopefully, taking just 20 minutes out of my typically busy day to do yoga will benefit my emotional and physical well-being as well as become a routine practice after a couple of weeks.
So, why am I challenging myself to 31 days of yoga?
- I like yoga. It makes me feel strong, relaxed, and focused. But, I don’t practice it consistently enough to appreciate its benefits.
- Running requires stretching. Basically, I am a bum about stretching after running. I am starting my half marathon training on March 2, so this challenge is a way to make sure that I sufficiently stretch.
- I like challenges. To do this challenge with the support of a health-minded community is an opportunity that I can’t pass up.
- To improve my posture. I have terrible posture from some serious slouching as a kid as well as sitting at a desk all day long at my full-time job.
- To find a sense of balance. Recently, my life has felt like a whirlwind. I want to find a stronger balance between the external demands of my life and the need to take time for myself.
I think if I can stick with this 31-day challenge, it might also help me get out of this no-mojo, lack-of-energy, winter funk that I’ve been struggling with over the past couple of months. At least, all of this yoga will help me focus on something other than the freezing cold, dark weather! Maybe a healthy dose of yoga is all I need! 
If you’re interested in joining the challenge, please let me know. Perhaps I can create some sort of blog group/journal for us to share our experiences?
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Hey Tina! I Totally support you in your quest for balance..RIGHT ON!!!!
That sounds awesome! I have just started doing yoga again and it feels great and painful at the same time. I would be interested in trying the challenge.
Hi Tina,
This isn’t about the yoga challenge (which is great by the way) but I stumbled upon this and since you like pugs so much, I thought that I would share http://www.mcachicagostore.org/main/item_detail.php?pid=1044&cat=Fashion
Have a great day!
That is awesome! I am training for a half too and know the legs can get super sore. I am definitely in!
This is an excellent challenge, I would love to do this too!! I’m training for a triathlon and have been looking for a way to start practicing yoga. I’ll have to wait until April though, I’m leaving for Cuba next week
I’m in for the yoga challenge! I’ve been trying to increase my yoga for a lot of the same reasons as you. Also, I’m planning on running the 5mile course at that race! I’ve been thinking about bumping it up to the half but I can’t decide.
I’m sort of into this idea, Tina! And by sort of – I mean definitely. I think I could commit to that, and it would be really useful for me. I am the same way about stretching after running (and I just wrote about that in my recent post). Count me in, if you’re making a group.
I’m in! I need to find the right balance in my life right now and this sounds just like what I need. Count me in your group. I’ll start on March 1st too.
hey Tina! great challenge! I think I will join you in this
I’m TOTALLY in!
Hey Tina
Is there a Moksha Yoga studio in your town?
It’s a form of hot yoga that is so wonderful(less rigid thean Bikram)
You sweat,you stretch and you FEEL amazing after(and your skin glows all day)It is SO addictive.They usually have a cheap try for one week deal.
I’m in! I’ve been doing yoga for a few years on and off, and have recently started doing it about 3 or 4 times a week. It would be interesting to see how I like doing it every day!
I went to a yoga class once about a year ago but wasn’t really feelin’ it. Lately after reading about it though I’ve been meaning to pop in a yoga dvd I got as a gift ages ago. Maybe you’ll motivate me to finally give it another try!
I really think that once you make the time for yoga, you will learn to love it! Maybe consider going to a few classes at a studio to REALLY see how good an hour (or more) class can leave you feeling, then you can do the yogadownloads to tailor to your day to day needs. Just a suggestion – but going to a live class was what really got me hooked!!
This sounds like such a great challenge! Yoga keeps me sane
I would LOVE to join your challenge! The idea of everyone blogging together or something is so great. Kath’s 50% discount on YogaDownload won’t hurt either, hehe. BTW, I’m from Boston, too. (:
I want to do the 31 day yoga challenge! My Nichols girls were just talking about how much they love yoga and I haven’t actually done yoga that was relaxing or peaceful. Let me know if you get a plan or group together.
Great idea! I’m a new fan of your blog; it’s the first time I’ve randomly started following a blog only to discover it’s based out of the same place I am! Which is surprisingly fun to see… makes the places I normally go to seem cooler
Any plans to take yoga at the MAC or Hemenway?
Cool idea! I just recently got into yoga – thanks to yoga downloads 20 mins sessions. I totally want in! I’ve been a runner for about 12 years now and probably haven’t stretched regularly since high school track – opps!
I would love to join you in this challenge!
A great place for yoga pod casts (for free no less!) is YogAmazing. You can get them for free on ITunes.
@Katie: I want to, but unfortunately, none of the classes really fit with my schedule. Perhaps I will drop in for one sometime!
Hi Tina! I would LOVE to join this challenge with you!!!
I love yogatoday.com and find many sessions on there to do.
As a runner, I have found yoga to be so beneficial!!
Thanks for this, I can’t wait!
I’d love to join the challenge too! I’m TERRIBLE about stretching and I’m training for a half-marathon in April, so this would be very helpful. Can’t wait!
Good luck on your yoga challenge. I would love to join, but the timing just won’t work for me to start in March. Maybe one day I’ll do my own. Looking forward to seeing how it all works out for you.
Heard about this through Catherine at Food Snob and you can count me in! I need a reason to do more yoga on a regular basis.
I think this is such a good idea and I’m in!! Yoga on a Sunday morning sounds so pleasant right now
Good luck to you and everyone else participating!
I am definately joining! What a great idea =)
I’ve been having a really hard time motivating myself to do yoga lately — I get stuck in the “I’m not good at it” rut, even though I know that the more I do it, the more comfortable it will get and the better I’ll be! I’m DEFINITELY up for the challenge, if for no other reason than to improve my yoga skills!
Yo Yo Yo – I’m up for the Yoga! I used to be such a stretchy thing and once went on a retreat where we did yoga for 6 hours a day! I’ve been so unhealthy for 2 years now and only LAST NIGHT vowed I must get back into practice… and today I find your blog. Glad to see so many others also up for the challenge!
count me in!
I love yoga, and this sounds like a great challenge. Count me in on the challenge. I try to do yoga after i finish a run.
I’m a little late, but I am also going to try this challenge! I like yoga and how it makes me feel, but I never seem to make time for it. This will hopefully get me out of bed to get started!
I am going to do this on august 1st till the 31 and I am exited about this!!!!
do u loose weight if u follow this challenge? thanks
It takes discipline to do this challenge yet there will be a multitude of benefits such as weight loss. We live in a hectic world and taking the few minutes to do yoga will help reduce stress and anxiety while making a person get fit. Thanks.
← Previous Comments
{ 11 trackbacks }