I have been offered an exceptional opportunity to improve my physical health and whatever else comes along with it. And that is what this blog is for: to help me determine what the next 30 days will do for me in every or any aspect.
Quick background information: I recently graduated from nursing school and obtained my RN license. If you have ever known anyone in nursing school or had the joy (burden?) of completing the degree yourself, then you undoubtedly comprehend the effort and time that goes into it. I reflect on the last few years of my life as being somewhat of a train wreck. Chaotic, painful, and overwhelming. On the other hand, I absolutely love nursing, and I love school-- but nursing school takes an incredible amount of energy, time and commitment. After celebrating the passing of the NCLEX license test, I felt as though I hit the ground running-- ready to fulfill every want-need-desire that I have been denied the ability to indulge for the last few years. Surfing, windsurfing, yoga, soccer, SUP, Baldwin Beach with Rocko...the list goes on.
And then came Superbowl Sunday: a slammin' busy work shift, a cheering customer elbow checking a tray of drinks down my shirt, broken glass everywhere and ultimately a wet floor combining with some already sore muscles. All this turned into a torn quadricep and a halt to all things active. The last 6 weeks has been spent making up my own version of what "rehab" means for my poor stump of a leg. But at last, my leg feels strong and the hard lump seems to be decreasing. I can run, swim, and surf without any painful stretching sensations.
Now as much as I want to hit the soccer field again and go crazy in the water (I had just bought a pair of new soccer cleats: black with hot pink nike swooshes!), I know I need to take it easy. One thing at a time.
Yoga seems to be my best bet. Strengthen, lengthen, sweat dripping, tight spandexy pants, and plenty of inspiration all around me (have you seen the killer bodies those yoga girls have?!). And then there is supposed to be more... all these regular yoga people talk about enlightening, ability to relax and focus, increased mental stamina, ability to control breathing, gaining a control of the their bodies, and a release of pains, tightness and old injuries. When asking my friends about the effects of yoga on their other athletic activities I hear that they can hold their breath more easily when getting worked in the surf and that their balance has increased on the water. This sounds like it could be great. Finally, I am told that yoga will help improve my posture. If you know me, you know that if I don't get a grip on that soon I might end up a hunchback lady at a young age. . So what am I waiting for?!
I have done yoga, but never consistently. My usual ultimate excuse is money. Let's face it: yoga isn't cheap when you are a broke college student. So when I was offered the opportunity for The Ashtanga Challenge, I could not come up with a singe excuse as to why not. In fact, all logical reasoning screams DO IT!
So there it is.
Free yoga with a commitment of attending three days a week and practicing twice at home.
A feedback email at the end of each week.
Free yoga gifts from Lululemon, a very expensive and high quality yoga brand.
So here goes. Thirty days of yoga. Well, at five days a week its really 20 days of yoga. If I am not totally hooked on it at the end of this month, maybe I will never be. But, I have seem to have much to gain and nothing to lose.
To see more about the yoga studio offering the challenge go to www.mauimysorestyle.com
To see more about the challenge go to www.mauimysorestyle.com/ashtangayogachallenge.htm
