I came to yoga, three months ago as an injured runner. That description alone, likely tells you where my head was and what kind of stereotype I might be. And so I came to yoga, willingly but reluctantly; embarking on something that might help me “return to my running”. Fortunately, it wasn’t a huge leap because I’d tried a few classes in the past and liked it, but Yoga just never seemed important enough to prioritize and so I never committed. But as an injured runner, yoga became more important than anything and became “the” thing, that carried me through the first few “non-running” months of injury.
I signed up for the 21-day challenge because I was feeling the physical benefits of yoga so far and the runner in me needed a new challenge. I also liked the slogan and the possibility it presented. While I can’t say I’ve gained anything permanent in the way of a changed outlook on life, Yoga has stretched me and relieved pain, it is teaching me to be aware of my body and to be patient, and is giving me the strength and courage to be patient, and somewhere over these 21 days, yoga has become my place to feel good, instead of my “push to recover”. It reminds me daily to accept where I am (which is still challenging) and I think one big revelation I’ve had is that I have realized that I’ve been trying too hard; every day.
While doing yoga, I can sometimes get to a place where I don’t have to try. If I just breathe, that’s good enough and my body will find what it needs. Finally, yoga has surprised me. I am surprised at the satisfaction I take from it. I am surprised that I can still do yoga when I’m physically exhausted. I am surprised that I can start tired and finish feeling awake & strong. I am surprised at the emotions that have come from a standing split or deep forward bend. Finally, yoga has presented my new challenge. Not as a challenge that I need to “conquer” but a challenge to simply be open.
The slogan for the current yoga challenge is “Do more yoga. See what happens.” And that’s basically now, what I’m trying to do every day. I am seeing what happens. On the run. Without the run. During yoga. After yoga. And in between. I am able to run small amounts now and have the best runs when I go with no expectation. Signs that something is changing for me? Multiple times now, I haven’t even wanted to run. And that may not be a bad thing…we’ll see?! For now, I am happy doing more yoga. :)
Kelly B.
I signed up for the 21-day challenge because I was feeling the physical benefits of yoga so far and the runner in me needed a new challenge. I also liked the slogan and the possibility it presented. While I can’t say I’ve gained anything permanent in the way of a changed outlook on life, Yoga has stretched me and relieved pain, it is teaching me to be aware of my body and to be patient, and is giving me the strength and courage to be patient, and somewhere over these 21 days, yoga has become my place to feel good, instead of my “push to recover”. It reminds me daily to accept where I am (which is still challenging) and I think one big revelation I’ve had is that I have realized that I’ve been trying too hard; every day.
While doing yoga, I can sometimes get to a place where I don’t have to try. If I just breathe, that’s good enough and my body will find what it needs. Finally, yoga has surprised me. I am surprised at the satisfaction I take from it. I am surprised that I can still do yoga when I’m physically exhausted. I am surprised that I can start tired and finish feeling awake & strong. I am surprised at the emotions that have come from a standing split or deep forward bend. Finally, yoga has presented my new challenge. Not as a challenge that I need to “conquer” but a challenge to simply be open.
The slogan for the current yoga challenge is “Do more yoga. See what happens.” And that’s basically now, what I’m trying to do every day. I am seeing what happens. On the run. Without the run. During yoga. After yoga. And in between. I am able to run small amounts now and have the best runs when I go with no expectation. Signs that something is changing for me? Multiple times now, I haven’t even wanted to run. And that may not be a bad thing…we’ll see?! For now, I am happy doing more yoga. :)
Kelly B.
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