get back into yoga

I am doing yoga at least once or twice a week. Which is good, but now it’s time to step it up! I want to do yoga at least 4-5 times a week! It is better for my body to perform 30 minutes daily as opposed to one hour each week. But how do I motivate myself?

I am doing yoga for the following reasons:

—can add an inch to height (because it realigns the spine)
—tones the body
—strengthens the immune system (I don’t know how it does it, but it does, somehow)
—builds confidence
—increases flexibility
—clears the mind
—etc.

With all of those, why can’t I do it?

I’ve thought about thinking of yoga as a school, something that I have to do. Practice various postures for each day of the week. For instance, ab toners on Mondays or back bends on Tuesdays. Then, have a longer session with a few of each section on one day. I think that will be my goal of the week.

Alright…start slowly! I have done yoga twice this week. I would love to do a routine. The ideal goal is to perform yoga everyday before bed (while watching 2 1/2 men). But if I can’t, then at least 3 times. It’s amazing how many excuses one can come up with. I’m willing to bet that a good chunk of people who claim they are too “busy” to do yoga, are just making excuses. Unless you are EXTREMELY busy, sure you can find 30 minutes within the day. Cut out some of the mindless television watching and whatnot. Hell, if you even go out for a walk and breathe a certain way, you are doing yoga!

This Wednesday, before going to work (first day, actually), I spilled Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate over my jeans. It wasn’t hot, but it did feel horrible. So as I sat there on the 6 train, I did equal breathing, meaning taking four counts to inhale and four counts to exhale, gradually increasing the counts to ten. It felt VERY relaxing!

And…I have the mat. So far, I’ve done yoga twice this week, and I love it!

And now, I have taken the next step: I bought a yoga mat on ebay. If this won’t motivate me, then I don’t know what will.

I bought the book…The yoga bible…this is what is going to motivate me!

I’ve been telling myself for the past few months or so that I should start back doing yoga…so why haven’t I done it? I can’t honestly say that it’s because I am so busy that I don’t have time….because that’s a lie (which might change once I start school). I think I’m worried about starting off big, rather than taking baby steps!
Perhaps I’ll give it a shot later today!

I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for about 6 years now. I’ve basically taught it myself, using some yoga cards, tapes, and dvds. Every now and then, I’ll get distracted and stop doing it, but when I’m in a certain frame of mind (like prayer, green tea, tai chi, meditation, etc.), then I’ll get back into it again. So…what I am trying to do is get back into it permanently.