The 30 Day Yoga Challenge: Life Lessons Learned
Thirty days ago, I made a commitment to do something for myself every day—yoga. While my initial goal was simply to enhance my physical flexibility and master a pose or two, this past month brought something more into my life beyond the ability to finally be able to touch my toes.
Here is what I discovered:
The Power of Keeping Promises to Yourself. There were days when I did yoga at 11pm, the only time left before the day was officially over. Despite this inconvenient hour, I remained committed to fulfilling a promise I had made to myself. Each day I completed my yoga routine, I strengthened my belief in my ability to manage commitments and handle challenges, proving that personal integrity isn’t just about how we treat others but how we treat ourselves, first.
The Importance of Adjusting. After a few of these “11pm yoga sessions,” I realized that this schedule wouldn’t be sustainable. I also found that sticking exclusively to intense Vinyasa Flow sessions wouldn't work, either. So, I mixed things up. I scheduled more intense sessions during the day and restorative yoga for early evenings. I learned that being flexible with one's goals and the path to get there is important. Plans do not always work out as we imagine, and adapting can make all the difference.
Honesty Over Excuses. Yes, life happens. Over the course of the month, I missed five sessions. At first, I rationalized that I was too busy or too tired. However, I recognized that I was making excuses because I hadn’t planned well enough. Going forward, every time I chose to roll out my mat instead of falling back on an excuse, I was actually moving myself forward, not just in yoga, but in life, too.
Persistence. Halfway through the month, the daily routine became tedious and some sessions were not enjoyable at all. Despite this, I kept going. By the third week, I found joy in my practice again. This taught me that the journey to get to where we need to be will not always be roses and butterflies. Struggle and pain along the way are unavoidable, but persisting through moments of weakness is what distinguishes those who succeed from those who give up.
Undiscovered Opportunities. What initially started as a physical activity became a mental and creative sanctuary. The last moment of Savasana gave birth to new ideas for my coaching business—ideas that might never have surfaced otherwise. This experience taught me the importance of seeing things through; you never know what opportunities or insights you might miss if you give up halfway.
In conclusion, the 30-day yoga challenge was more than a test of physical strength, it was a journey of self-discovery. It taught me that the principles of yoga—mindfulness, flexibility, and persistence—are not just for the mat. They are for life.
So, what is your 30-day challenge?
