More 40-Day Yoga Challenge Ideas

This summer at Show Me Yoga Center we are challenging our students and teachers to do a 40-day practice that will change a habit (or make a new one). This Wednesday during the class I taught I explained the Yoga Challenge and made some suggestions for the students to consider as they develop their plan for the challenge. I thought back to my first yoga classes, and what I learned then. Good posture was a big thing that I brought into my life after starting yoga. It is really amazing to me how much better you look and feel with simply rolling your shoulders back and making the front side of the body as long as the back (eliminating the slouch). So in class we practiced mountain pose with a brick balancing on the top of our heads. I suggested that a focus on good posture throughout the day could be a great habit to create during the challenge.

I also suggested to my students that they consider adding a practice of mindfulness meditation during the challenge. In class we did a walking meditation. That was simple enough; we just walked SLOWLY in a large circle and noticed what our senses told us. We discussed what we noticed, and most of us discovered that it's hard to make yourself slow down!

For my challenge (40 days and 40 nights--wait does this have anything to do with water?), I want to learn more about meditation, so I am really excited to come to Dr. Colleen Loehr's meditation and relaxation class that starts on Friday, June 15 at 5:30. (Yes, that's a plug--do come!)

The biggest thing for me is making the time each day--sound familiar? There are many other things that I have been thinking about doing. Such as letting go of self judgement, focusing on positive thinking, slowing down and enjoying the journey, learning more about breathwork, and, give me long enough, and I'll be sure to come up with more. So pick one of my suggestions or come up with your own, and challenge yourself--for yourself! I’d be happy to help anyone with his or her challenge in any way that I can. And if you have any ideas for our celebration on the last day of the challenge, give any of the teachers your ideas and we'll see what we can do!!

Judi