On today's date last year, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, I badly fell on the ice injuring left shoulder, left arm and ribs. It took me almost 6 months to recover and since then I still sometimes have pain in my left side.
After the fall almost 6 months I had sporadic yoga practice last year. I tried persistently to do it but left arm and shoulder pain was not allowed me to do the full practice. But that's all behind me.
In February this year I am doing Yoga Challenge. I dedicated February 2024 to be the yoga month in the sake of the last year's injury.
February's Yoga Challenge
I will do 30 practices in a row all the way to March. I want to push myself slowly and gently, to get routine going, to keep up with yoga on daily basis. It is going to be hard, I'm tired and maybe pain in left side will return but I have to go through it.
Since l came from Belgrade, I feel down, somehow lifeless, without motivation and energy. This week, I've started regular walking on Monday, and I walked every day to Jane street and back, about 4 to 5 km in total and that did make difference in my feelings.
My friends, I urge you with all my might to start home yoga practice. You see, daily yoga practice at home can help you to stay healthy, have more energy, be calm and a little more happier in these gloomy and cold days.
If you are completely new to yoga...
First watch ashtanga yoga, 30 minutes, practice on YouTube videos. Choose the one you like and stick with it for some time. Watch each pose (or so called asana) and try to do it on your own. If you cannot do it find appropriate replacement for that pose.
When you comfortable with all poses on that video then try to do vynasas and introduce breath count between them. Downward dog pose is very important to be known and practiced in a relaxed manner as well as you need a strength to do a lot of chaturangas (plank poses).
Now, is there motivation for your home practice? That is another story. Start with something you can accomplish. 30 minutes video is a great start and your goal should be ashtanga full primary practice. Don't worry, you will learn all poses. You only need to practice every day.
Practicing yoga in the morning is generally considered to be the best as it keeps energy levels high during the day. Yet, if it does not happen, don’t let it be an excuse to skip your practice. You are all day at home, so you have opportunity to do the practice even after 6:00 PM. So you will have no excuse to miss the practice. Yoga at 6 PM can also be a good way to refresh the mind and release stress collected during the day.
You don't need a separate room in your apartment for daily yoga practice. It is enough to find a spare place besides your bed large enough to roll out your yoga mat. All you need to ensure is that your yoga space is clean, it is beside the window so it is well ventilated, and away from furniture or sharp objects. It is good to have the mat always on the its own spot just inviting you to do the practice.
Do some strength exercises before doing yoga postures
This is a great thing because you may be at risk of straining your muscles. I start by warming my body with 20 push ups and I do a few sets of stomach crunches.
Then I do exercises for the arms, biceps etc. I respect my body and I don't do heavy lifting. Doing them decrease flexibility. It will only make my yoga practice more difficult and painful. So first strength exercises for about 10 minutes and then you start with sun salutation.
The consistency is the major point
It is very important to be regular with practice – make it a part of your daily schedule (as I mentioned above, find a time where you can comfortably fit yoga in) and then it is easier to make it a habit. 30 minutes of daily yoga practice is more likely to show positive results sooner than two hours of occasional practice.
Practicing yoga alone, it might get boring after a while or you may simply become lazy. So try doing it with YouTube video and see the difference! The video can be a great way for motivation.
Your yoga practice will help you to develop the body and mind bringing a lot of health benefits. However, my dear, when all this is over please go to yoga studio for some time. It is important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher for a time before you can fully be on your own at your home practice.
Category
