Do Yoga Every Day – 30-Day Personal Challenge Begins
My challenge this month is to do yoga every day. I walk a lot for exercise, but I would like the extra strength and flexibility yoga provides. I’ve done a lot of yoga in the past, but not much lately. I’ve had back issues ever since late pregnancy 2.5 years ago, and it’s continued as I’ve been hauling around my adorable-yet-squirmy toddler son. The discomfort has most recently shown up as sciatic issues. I have a strong hunch, daily yoga will be part of the solution.
In this week’s blog, I’ll share my plan with you.
10-20 Minutes of Daily Yoga
Since the month is already underway, I’ve started my new yoga practice already. I’m doing 10-20 minutes a day. I’m being really gentle with myself. I’m trying to work on every joint and muscle, especially the ones that cause me pain and need to be loosened up and strengthened. But overall, I’m focusing on the whole body, since everything is connected and related. I’ve even been carefully doing some handstands against a wall toward the end of some yoga sessions. It all feels good, and like just what I need.
I’m squeezing in the yoga at home or during breaks at work: whenever it feels like the right time. Sometimes I’ll use a timer and do 20 minutes all at once, and sometimes I’ll scatter in bits of yoga throughout the day. I’m not changing into workout gear. I have a lot of yoga moves memorized from past instruction, and I’m throwing in some non-yoga stretches and exercises that seem to have benefit. I’m not taking any classes or using videos. It’s less expensive and more realistic, so I’m much more likely to actually do the yoga each day.
Multi-Pronged Approach to Back Pain Relief
Yoga is part of my multi-pronged approach to finding lasting relief from my back and sciatic issues. I’ve checked in with various medical professionals, and I’ve also been occasionally seeing a chiropractor. I’ve recently started using a massage ball and homeopathic arnica gel. I’ll probably get some additional relief as my son grows up, since I’ll eventually be lifting him less.
As I’ve shared the fact that I’m experiencing back discomfort with people in my life, I’ve realized these issues are extremely common. I’ve received some great advice from many people who are experiencing similar issues and many who’ve gladly found relief. I appreciate those of you who’ve given me ideas, and I wish everyone health and wellness too! I’ll work through the suggestions I’ve received until I find what works for me, starting with daily yoga.
