When the third lockdown was announced, I set myself the challenge to do yoga everyday for 30 days.
Yoga isn’t completely new to me; I started going to classes as a teenager as a way to manage my stress levels. More recently, last summer, I completed Adriene Mishler’s, of ‘Yoga with Adriene’ 30 Days of Yoga series on YouTube for beginners. To keep me motivated, a friend and I decided to work through the series together. Despite really enjoying this, in the chaos of the last six months, I’ve tailed off a bit. So, when my mum asked if I’d like to try doing Yoga With Adriene’s 30 days of Breath together, I thought I would give it a go, but imagined I would last a few days at most. Yet, as I write this, I am over halfway through the challenge and I feel amazing.
Adriene Mishler is someone you may have heard of already. With over 9 million YouTube subscribers and many more singing her praises, she and her placid dog, Benji, won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps something that sets her apart from other yoga instructors online is her ability to be herself. She’s not afraid to inject her personality into her videos, be a bit silly and doesn’t take herself too seriously.
If you’re worried about the physical side of yoga, I would encourage you to go in with an open mind. Adriene makes yoga accessible for all levels, all the while offering variations and encouraging you to notice how you feel. She guides you through each posture in a way that feels loving, gentle and kind. She pushes you to try your best while encouraging you to be kind to yourself. You don’t need to worry about buying expensive equipment either, I own a yoga mat and some blocks, but you don’t need any of it to start.
Whilst it is satisfying to see the physical progress you make, such as developing more upper body strength, this is not what it is about for me. Instead, it is the fact that I start my day feeling positive, calm and refreshed. I feel ready to take on whatever the day may bring. In the midst of lockdown announcements and seemingly endless negative news, it feels essential to be taking time to slow down, focusing purely on my movement and breath.
As the series is called ‘Breath’, you can expect a focus on this. It is surprising how the simple act of focusing on your breath, as it moves in and out of your body, can be so powerful.
In a world that feels uncertain and chaotic, it is something we can control.
I am proud of myself for having stuck with the programme, and at 20 days in I’m not about to give up. I’m doing it because I want to, not because I have to, and quite honestly, I need it. It is keeping me sane during such an odd time, and it has helped to have something to focus on in January: an otherwise bleak month. Focusing on what you can control and doing something good for yourself, both physically and mentally, is so valuable right now.
If this has piqued your interest, I would really encourage you to give it a go and see how it makes you feel. It may bring some joy into your day too, as you cosy up to the sound of Adriene’s voice and Benji’s breathing, and relish the opportunity to tune out the world for a little bit and feel at peace.
