31 Days of Yoga
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?
Pearl — February 25, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
good luck on that! that sounds like such a lovely challenge
brandi — February 25, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
Sounds like a great challenge! I’m up for it – I’ve been wanting to do more yoga anyways, so this would be a great way to “just do it”
coco — February 25, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
love the challenge!
I’ll join you to the challenge (although I’m already practicing 4-5 times a week) Let me know how would you like us to coordinate and exchange ideas/thoughts. 
VeggieGirl — February 25, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
WAHOO!!!!! I do yoga daily, so I’m 100% behind you on this
Aimee — February 25, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
I’m up for this. I just bought 2 yoga dvds and haven’t even taken them out of the plastic yet. I need some motivation to fit yoga in my life. I do Pilates 3 days a week to help with running, but I think my training could use some Yoga too.
Kailey (SnackFace) — February 25, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
Brilliant challenge! I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with it:) Good luck!
Missy (Missy Maintains) — February 25, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
Good luck! Can’t wait to see how it goes!
ashley (sweet & natural) — February 25, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
GREAT challenge idea! I decided about a month ago to start doing yoga consistently and I’ve done it 4-6 times a week since! Some days for 75 min. Some for 25. But every little bit helps! I’ve definitely felt improvements.
Emily — February 25, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
that sounds like a great idea! I’m seriously considering joining you.
JE — February 25, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Tina, I’d love to join the challenge! I am also training for half marathon in May.
Ali — February 25, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Great Idea! I would love to do the challenge. I am also training for a 1/2 marathon and never make time to stretch. This will be good for my running plans, my upcoming Spring Break vacay and my mood, as well!
Thanks Tina!!
noodlegirl — February 25, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
I am so in also! Just like you I have not been consistant with my yoga which I really should be I have DVDs galore just sitting waiting for me to do it.
Cinemarie — February 25, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Ok, I’m in – I’ve been meaning to try yoga for a long time now – this challenge is just what I needed
Good Luck!
Betsy — February 25, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
What a great idea – I think I need to come up with my own March challenge!
sara — February 25, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
i DEFINITELY want to join. I’ve been wanting to do more yoga for a while, and I’m going to have the time in march yaayyy im excited.
Spiceaholic — February 25, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Great idea, I’ve been wanting to get back into it for a while now. I’d love to join the challenge!
Julie — February 25, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Thats awesome! I definitely want to do it…I’m in
Megan — February 25, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
This is great!!! I do yoga regularly…I can’t wait for you to start!!!
Shelby — February 25, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
This sounds great!
Bobbi — February 25, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
This is wonderful!!! I think I shall join you I love yoga and need more of it!!!
Bekah — February 25, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
This is soooo PERFECT. I have been wanting to get into yoga and do it daily, but haven’t so much as inserted the DVD into the player. Thanks for doing this! Looking forward to hearing how you structure it.
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) — February 25, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Good for you!
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday — February 25, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
Great challenge! I will challenge myself to do the same with one little tweak. I have been practicing yoga regularly for some time now and am working towards practicing without DVD’s or downloads. My goal will be to practice daily for March and have at least 15 of those practices be my own flows.
Yay! So excited!
Catherine (FOOD SNOB) — February 25, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
I’m in. I have been meaning to start doing yoga regularly for ages now — what a great jumpstart!
Ashley — February 25, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
i’d love to do this with you! its goign to make everyone feel amazingggg!
Mallory — February 25, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
I’d love to do the challenge too! I just recently started the yogadownload’s gentle hatha’s and really want to make it more of a regular part of my life!
zestycook — February 25, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
Cool challenge for yourself!! I have terrible posture too
Mari — February 25, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
Hey I just came across your blog and really like it. I try to think of myself as a semi-yogi and love your idea of doing it for 31 days, g’luck!
Namaste
sue — February 25, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
what a great challenge- i’m in a deep “winter funk” that i sooo need to get out of! i’m in!
Lisa — February 25, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
oo i’m in! I was also inspired by Kath and decided to check out a Yoga for Dummies from the library and tried it on Monday and really enjoyed it. It would be nice to take 20 min of my day to relax and have a little me time!
Danielle — February 25, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
I did yoga for the first time the other day. I’m not sure I’m ready for a 31 day challenge, but I’m definitely going to keep doing it! Good luck with your challenge can’t wait to read all about it!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) — February 25, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
I’m definitely in for this challenge!
Matt — February 25, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Never done yoga! Do any men do it?
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) — February 25, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
go you!!! i’ve been doing the 20-minute gentle hatha #1 download, and it’s reminded me how pleasant yoga can me. i haven’t graduated onto anything more challenging yet, though! it’s much easier to stay interested when i’m in a class …
Kati — February 25, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
oooh, great idea! My co-worker is almost through with a 60 day yoga challenge where you do yoga for 5-6 days a week. I’ve been doing it at home and love the changes I’ve already noticed- both physical and emotional. Count me in!
Victoria — February 25, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Sounds like a great challenge! I love yoga at the end of my day. Good luck!
Katerina — February 25, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
I think I could be in too! I am just starting to get into it but I was thinking of buying a monthly membership to yogadownload because I am enjoying their 20 minute sessions so much!
Meg — February 25, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Awesome challenge!! I can’t think of any better way to try to beat the funk!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) — February 25, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Great idea! I want to do this, too!
Elsa — February 25, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Hey Tina! I am definitely interested. It is a great challenge! For the past two weeks I have been doing Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) 3 days a week but I feel like if I go more than 2 days in between I tighten up again.
Janet — February 25, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
Ooh, I think this is a great idea! I have been wanting to get into more yoga, too, so I would love to take this challenge. I’m actually taking a Antigravity yoga class tonight, involving hammocks. I’m psyched!
Erin F. — February 25, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Good luck with your challenge! My physical therapist last winter was always hassling me about what a good addition yoga would make to my running, but I’m afraid I never listened. I’m looking forward to seeing how you like it.
Leng — February 25, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
That’s so odd, I’ve been thinking about taking up yoga (from the influence of other bloggers). Right now I’m training for my first 5K. I’m pretty good with stretching afterward. I was planning on doing yoga on my off days, but am a little hesitant. Maybe if join this challenge, it’s the push that I need. I have never done yoga before (I normally do Pilates) and am a total novice. It’s going to be a tough one for me also, but I am in!
Shea — February 25, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
I actually just bought some yoga dvds and had planned to start in March so I’ll join the challenge too!
Amy — February 25, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
I am definitely in on the Yoga challenge
K — February 25, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
Fabulous idea!! I would love to do it
melody polakow — February 25, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
I’m in! I came here from Food Snob’s blog..
Gina — February 25, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
I would love to do this! I’ve been trying to get a yoga session in every morning but haven’t been sticking to it. Since I’m also a little lazy when it comes to stretching after running, I think this would help greatly.
Maggie — February 25, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
so awesome! i do yoga every day, so i’m up for it
Kara — February 25, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Such a good idea! I am totally in (even though it’s strangely intimidating).
Lee (seelivelee) — February 25, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
Hey Tina! I Totally support you in your quest for balance..RIGHT ON!!!!
Emily — February 25, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
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.
Holly — February 25, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
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!
HangryPants — February 25, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
That is awesome! I am training for a half too and know the legs can get super sore. I am definitely in!
Susan — February 25, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
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
Marissa — February 25, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
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.
Rose — February 25, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
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.
Maria — February 25, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
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.
Monica — February 25, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
hey Tina! great challenge! I think I will join you in this
TorontoGirloutWest — February 25, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
I’m TOTALLY in!
Sammy — February 25, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
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.
Casey — February 25, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
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!
Christina — February 25, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
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!
Amanda — February 25, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
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!!
Challenge, cheese, Treats « A Fat Cat Who Created A Vegetarian — February 26, 2009 @ 4:50 am
[...] Posted on February 26, 2009. Filed under: Dessert, Dinner | Tags: bub baw, pizza pocket, Vegan rice krispies treats | Yay new Challenge! I have just signed up for a 31-day Yoga Challenge on Carrots n’ Cake: [...]
Danielle — February 26, 2009 @ 6:29 am
This sounds like such a great challenge! Yoga keeps me sane
Michelle Hisae — February 26, 2009 @ 7:23 am
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. (:
Sister — February 26, 2009 @ 8:52 am
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.
Katie — February 26, 2009 @ 11:05 am
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?
Jenny — February 26, 2009 @ 11:19 am
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!
Dana — February 26, 2009 @ 11:32 am
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.
Tina — February 26, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
@Katie: I want to, but unfortunately, none of the classes really fit with my schedule. Perhaps I will drop in for one sometime!
Leah — February 26, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
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!
Amelia — February 26, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
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!
Marianne — February 26, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
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.
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Crystal — February 27, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
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.
Sarah — February 27, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
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!
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Mari — February 27, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
I am definately joining! What a great idea =)
Courtney — February 27, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
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!
Frankie — February 28, 2009 @ 7:26 am
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!
missbee. — February 28, 2009 @ 11:13 am
count me in!
Nicci — February 28, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
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.
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Kristin — March 1, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
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!
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sara — July 22, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
I am going to do this on august 1st till the 31 and I am exited about this!!!!
Audrey — December 2, 2009 @ 8:00 am
do u loose weight if u follow this challenge? thanks
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