When I was a child, I thought yoga was a spiritual practice. As I got older, I realized it was more than that, but I thought it was for sissies. Then, I tried yoga for the first time four years ago and experienced for myself the benefits it offered.
The Yoga Video That Has Changed My Perspective and Challenged Me
I’ve been thinking a lot about yoga lately, since I’m on the tapering down period of my marathon training. This weekend, I spent some time scouring the internet for inspirational yoga pictures and videos, of which, my pinterest account is now a testament to. Yes, I started a “yoga” board on pinterest, and while it only has a few pictures as of this moment, I expect that to start growing. Why? Because I found this video on Friday that totally changed my perspective on yoga. Please take the three and a half minutes to watch this. You will be truly inspired.
The thing is, I’ve loved yoga since I first gave it a real try four years ago, but I have to admit, it didn’t seem challenging enough to me. I reaped the benefits of the soul quiet that would follow a yoga session, and that feeling of leaving heaviness behind during and after a session. But when it came to choosing between say, yoga and running, or yoga and lifting, the running and lifting have always won out. I work a full time job, have four dogs, a blog and a husband (among other responsibilities), I need to be particular about how I spend my free time. And I always thought running and lifting were the more physically challenging and demanding exercises. That’s how I wanted to spend my free time.
But then I saw this video on Friday. When I watched this video, I was astounded at not only the flexibility of this woman, but the strength that is evident in the control with which she does each movement. There is no way anyone in their right mind can look at this video and still think that yoga is for sissies, or that it isn’t a powerful workout, stretch and soul strengthener all in one. I was so impressed with this video, that I decided I need to get this in my life, somehow. So I developed a new goal. The ultimate goal is that eventually I want to be able to do what this woman is doing in this video. Am I crazy for thinking I can? But I don’t know how long it will take me to get there.
Yoga Challenge Number 1
Since I have other things I need to devote my time to over the next six months (I’m getting my personal trainer’s certificate), then I will work on two areas. The first is the good morning yoga sequence which I found on pinterest initially, but was originally written by Jennifer Jarrett and posted on www.mindbodygreen.com . Doesn’t it just make sense to wake up and get your day started with some yoga stretching? I figure, this is a brief enough exercise for me to do before I go out for my morning run.
Yoga Challenge Number 2
The second thing I want to focus on is flexibility–mainly–I want to retrain my body to do the splits–like I used to be able to do when I was in school. I found these eight exercises, which I’m going to start working on. If you click on the picture, it will take you to the article where you also can find these eight exercises for stretching those legs! I say, why can’t I be able to do the splits by the end of the year?? I’m at least gonna try!!
Source: fitsugar.com via Bethany on Pinterest
I hope you found some inspiration in this. It’s Sunday night as I write this, but I expect most of my readers won’t see this till Monday morning. So let me be the first to wish you a great week!!
I have heard so many good things about yoga so it must be good I can’t remember ever hearing a bad thing about yoga……..
It is good, Jo-Anne. I’m glad I gave it a try.
Love this!!!
My boyfriend actually sent me this video once upon a time. I don’t remember the context, but she is smokin’. And heck yes, I would love to be able to move like her!
I just found yoga on my own literally a week ago. One class, but hey, it’s something. I loved it. And I loved the instructor (who happens to be a personal trainer as well), and she has a huge holistic approach to life. But she could do every move, perfectly, and make it look effortless like the girl in the video.
I will be right on board with you trying to be like her!! I’d aspire to do the same! Well, in between the lifting heavy weights and all
Yoga is so peaceful, so controlled, so painfully good!
One class is more than I’m taking right now. I need to print off these exercises, so I can do it without the computer.
It means a lot. 
Having an instructor that you like and trust is so much important, too. When I was taking classes, I always had a favorite instructor and when she was teaching, it made a big difference.
Thanks for your support in this Jennifer!!
My wife is definitely into Yoga, but I’m not. I think my biggest drawback is shes’s a lot better than me at it! After I did a few “power yoga” workouts, I realized it was for real. I’ll have her stop by here to check out the video, she’ll definitely enjoy!
Bethany, we seem to be working on parallel waves or something! I too am a recent convert to yoga.
I always found yoga boring – I had tried classes in my late teens – early 20s and fell asleep during the breathing exercises. But just a couple of weeks ago I started yoga, mainly to maintain my flexibility and keep me running relatively injury-free. The first class I felt I wasn’t doing anything much, it was so easy, bla bla… but I found out two things: a) my muscles were very stretched and very sore the next day; b) my breathing was not that great.
I am now relearning how to breathe more profoundly and I’m sure it will have a positive impact on my running too.
Wow! I like the sound of your experience with yoga. It sounds a lot like mine. I come to it for the same reasons–to run injury free and maintain flexibility–which I know I’ve lost as I’ve aged.
So good to see you here. I need to get onto your blog–being outside of wordpress.com has made me miss some of my wordpress.com buddies, and I know it doesn’t have to be that way!!
I have always toyed with the idea of doing yoga but have not yet taken the leap. I love the idea of the morning yoga sequence. I am printing this off to do before my morning walk.
No, I don’t think your crazy. It all gets done to time, doesn’t it. To many things we want to do and so little time…. Sigh! I wish luck with your new gaol. You go girl.
Doing the morning yoga is a great way to get started, Susan. Doesn’t that sequence look totally doable? That’s why I chose it. I’m glad that you will add it to your walk–better to stretch before we work out anyway, right?!!
I wish you luck on your new goal. Yoga always look like a great idea until I try it. I think I will stick with my goal of making walking a daily habit. Maybe some day I might tackle yoga… but not any time soon. I have a healthy respect for those that practice it.
You Go Girl!
Cheryl–one goal at a time, right? Well, most of the time anyway
Wow. That inspired me to look at yoga after I release 30 more pounds…I love the goal you set up for yourself. Even better that you did not assign a time frame. When you get there, will you post a video for us?
My boyfriend and I do Tony Hortons P90 four – five days a week. He actually has some yoga moves in there that we do.
I like the idea that I can lose 30 pounds and move like the woman in the video!!!
Wendy, I will totally post a video. One thing I must tell you–you totally do not need to wait till you lose 30 more pounds. You can do yoga at any point, and at any shape that you are in. It doesn’t matter–and that’s one of the things that is so great about yoga.
And you CAN move like the woman in the video!! Haha! I like the idea that I can do the splits!!
I can’t decide whether to start doing Yoga again or return to my tried-and-true 20 minute pilates video. However, I’m sure you’ll meet your new goal and inspire all of us in the process.
My friend showed me that video a few months ago and I was like “OH MY GOODNESS” the whole way through. I too wish I could do everything that she does in the video.
What type of yoga do you do that isn’t challenging? I take a level 2 vinyasa flow and its always a challenge for me even
There are different level yoga classes (some 3 or 4), so I’m sure if you wanted to take a class (and had time, which is hard!), I’m sure there is something out there for ya!
P.S. I too would love to do the splits again!
I’m not saying it’s not a challenge–it’s just not quite as much a challenge as say, running 26 miles, lol!
However, you and Rachel both mentioned various levels of yoga (like power yoga)–I had not heard of these levels. Where I attend yoga, they just call it vinyasa or hatha or whatever, without the “level” included. I really need to learn more about all this.
Nicole, I challenged Rachel to work on doing the splits by the end of the year. Would you like to join the challenge? (although, I don’t know if Rachel is going to take me up on it).
I tried some poses. I can’t do the complicated ones yet.
I am sure, you will do exactly like that woman for sure. You are a very strong person with your goals.
Thank you Bindu. I hope so!!
As long as we try and keep trying, that’s all that matters, don’t you think? I believe if we do this, then eventually we will get it, or get better. Or find something similar that we can do.
That yoga woman is incredible! I’ve never seen such an amazing yoga sequence- she’s so strong and in control!
The first time I ever did yoga I could hardly walk the next day! I’ve never found it easy and usually work up a sweat in class. I can understand how a really fit person would not find it much of a challenge though. Although you can often find Power Yoga classes which are HARD!!
I’ve always wondered how much you can improve flexibility once you’re an adult. I really want to do the splits or at least increase my flexibility fairly drastically. I’ve aways loved dance, gymnastics and yoga- flexibility is important for all these! I was totally mesmerised by the gymnasts at the Olympics, they’re incredible and so inspiring- they train 6-8 hours a day as well as going to school!! How they find time to sleep is beyond me!!
She is incredible, isn’t she?!! I’ve watched this video about 7 times now. I so want to be able to do this.
I have never tried a power yoga class, but I bet it would be hard. I am going to see if I can find one nearby.
As for flexibility–it is never to late to increase your flexibility, Rachel. Our bodies are so adaptable.
I am on a mission to be able to do the splits by the end of the year. Do you want to join me? We could encourage each other!!
I just stopped by to thank for sharing this video. I mean, I come back to watch it again and again… It simply left me speechless. Not only the flexibility and power of this girl but also this feeling that gets me through this. I mean, it’s even hard to pick up right words for describing how much it meant to me at this moment of my life
It’s an inspiration, not only for fitness of body but also of my mind. THANKS.
Oh, and now I want to come back to yoga. Even if I’m as flexible as my chair, I want to have such a harmony within myself.