If there is one thing we learned from last year, it was in order to be successful at something, you need to decide what your goal is, set a timeline and make a plan.
My goal this year is to find things that make me smile and feed my soul more. The idea of taking on a challenge and succeeding at it helped me jump out of an airplane, run a half marathon, lose weight, climb a mountain…you get it.
It also helped me realize that absolutely nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.
Set your intent.
2015 involves being more grounded. Rooting myself in healthy living, strong family ties, a clear mind and pushing myself to continue trying new things.
I am thinking of this kind of like a game. I am going to tackle something new each month to see what I can achieve and how far I can go. I have labeled it #TryANewYou and would love for you to join me on this adventure this year.
My first #TryANewYou is Hot Yoga.
Talking to the converted, you would think Bikram or Hot Yoga was like the holy grail of yoga zen. Sweat, stretching and release to the gods of Namiste. For me, the idea of overheating in a hot room for over an hour sounded like my own personal hell.
But I gave it a try this morning at Moksha Yoga. My friend and I went without much knowledge on what to expect. I really enjoy yoga but suck remembering to breathe, something rather important in Hot Yoga.
As we went down to the practice room, we were warned it was a “silent” room in order to create the most positive experience for those involved. I loved the fact that phones had to be checked in upstairs and appreciated that no talking meant you could relax right into meditation as soon as you lied down. It was hot but not unbearable.
As we moved through the exercises, I could start feeling the sweat dripping down my back. It felt good. Breathing deeply and working muscles that hadn’t seen any attention for the whole holidays. The only time I struggled was about an hour in, we started doing flow which meant more active yoga (think downward dog and cobra) and I started feeling REALLY sweaty & a bit lightheaded. They simply say sit in child’s pose for awhile and wait until you feel good again. Don’t leave. Then keep on going.
We survived our first hot yoga class and I feel fantastic. I am loose, relaxed and ready to start the day with a clear head. It was a bit challenging getting used to the heat but not horrible. They say it takes at least 3 classes to get there. So I am signed up for a different kind tomorrow afternoon and raring to go.
On a scale of 1-5, I give Hot Yoga the following:
3 for physical
4 for mental
5 for spiritual.
For my first #TryANewYou, I think it was a smashing success.
My first MAJOR experience with Yoga was at a Dynamic Retreat in Jamaica last year. I am heading this year to their Yoga & Surf Retreat in Nicaragua and simply can’t wait.
There is nothing BUT hot yoga here in Nicaragua, and I love it!! I am a recent yoga convert; always thinking it too hippy-dippy for me. Early this year though, I suffered a deep funk and found that it was the meditative practice of yoga that most helped me through it. I’m as surprised as anyone; now I look forward to when our local instructor brings her ‘magic flute’ to class (my term, not hers!). I’m so looking forward to the Dynamic Retreats here in Nicaragua next month but more so looking forward to putting my arms around you. 🙂
Way to go Jenn! I actually signed up for a 30 Day Yoga challenge but have decided to purchase and download the videos to use another month as I took on too many other challenges (like blogging every day this month) already. LOL!
That is awesome you get to go to another retreat! I am super jealous! hehe!
Love yoga. Can’t breathe in hot yoga. Maybe I’m a wuss, but it’s just one of those things I’ve decided isn’t worth so much uncomfort for. Good on you for keeping with it!
I loooooooooooooooooove hot yoga. Even if I haven’t been in two years. But I think about it lots.
Maybe I’ll jump on your #TryANewYou bandwagon. Or at least think about it. Kinda like yoga.
xo