90 Day Yoga Challenge: Days 15-17
- Natalie Buster
- Jul 19, 2023
- 2 min read
I haven't been feeling well the past few days, so my yoga practice has slowed down. One thing (among many) that my yoga practice has taught me is how to truly listen to my body and not push it or force it to do anything it's not prepared to do.
On Monday I explored the practice of yoga nidra. Yoga nidra is a form of guided meditation that lasts roughly 30-40 minutes. You lie down (I laid down in my bed) and listen to a voice guiding you through a systematic relaxation of the physical body, energetic body, mind, and spirit. I highly recommend it. You can google search "yoga nidra" to find one that works well for you. I'm very particular about the vocal quality of the teacher guiding me, so I have my favorites. I think it's truly a personal decision.
On Tuesday, I jumped out of bed and immediately started my day, without my yoga kriya to start my day and boy, could I feel it. My nervous system was on high alert and I just felt lousy. I spent the afternoon resting and gently moving my body, and although I didn't get myself back to feeling great, I was able to find enough of a balance to sleep.
This morning, I found a yoga for anxiety video on YouTube that was nice, if somewhat overly perky. I found the breathing practice of alternate nostril breathing to be very helpful. I shed a few tears and moved my body with love and care.
There are a few things contributing to my stress right now, but I don't want to get into the story of them. I don't want to identify with the challenges. But I am observing how my body and mind are absorbing those challenges. Yoga is really helping me muster through. Not by force, but by loving observation and contemplative practices.
How is your yoga practice helping you?
Day 15 for me was yoga while watching shark week day 2 lol some basics and chair yoga for me today.
Day 20. Got a good beginner practice in that even got me into a plank! What?! Feeling good. As a reward, went to the pool at the campground by us after work to beat the heat wave that will plague us this week.
Today on day 19, my yoga helped me think of me and take time for me. I didn't get it started until mid afternoon, but the boys and the pup left me be to focus on me. I incorporated a few extra moves I've learned when the video I was following ended. Just felt like I needed more, so I listened to my body and did it. Thank you for this small yoga community we've got here, Natalie!
Day 12,13 & 14 done, forgot to post it 😳 Chair yoga and some basics all days and mixed in walking and pool jogging. Also many house chores like mowing & laundry so many steps and stairs lol
Got Day 18 in with getting laundry, dishes, vacuuming and more household chores done as well. Took it easy on myself today with just some good neck, shoulder, and upper back work. Slept bad last night so it helped. Happy weekend ladies!