Nightly Yoga

I have finally introduced a physical activity to my wellness plan. I have been doing a 20 minute beginner yoga session each night (straight after the kids go to bed and before I'm too tired) for the past three nights using a free yoga app on my phone called 'simply yoga'. The app is very simple, it offers 20, 40 and 60 minute video sessions to choose from, from beginner to advanced.

 

It has been great rediscovering yoga. I initially tried yoga two years ago when I did a weekly one hour class for about 6 months. It is a low impact yet surprisingly energic activity which strengthens the core, encourages flexibility and tones the whole body. I also enjoy the meditative qualities of yoga. It helps clear the mind and allows you to focus on breathing and relaxing the body.

Having done yoga before with a trained instructor certainly helps me with my sessions at home. I have a good understanding of technique and how to approach the poses as I was familiar with almost every pose in the beginner session.

The most challenging for me is the sun salutation. It is a fast and energetic composition of about 6 different poses, and I do struggle to move fast enough to keep up, although I am improving.  I also have trouble with the poses which require sitting crossed legged. For some reason one of my legs just does not want to cooperate and it becomes painful if I persist with it. It doesn't put me off though.  Hopefully I will get there with it, through time and persistence.

I love the way I feel after yoga, I just feel more awake and alive. I'd love to introduce a morning session, but I'll see how I go. I am already so pushed for time in the mornings at the moment and I just can not get my head around getting up any earlier right now!