30 Day Yoga Challenge 2012 |

THE INJURY

I’ve been recovering from an overuse injury from Boston Marathon 2012. I can’t believe its been nearly 4 months of pretty no running (minus a few 1 mile or so jogs)! I had visited a sports doctor who confirmed that I have really inflamed hip bursa, hip tendons and piriformis muscles. He told me not to stop exercising completely because my muscles will get weaker which would be bad. But I can’t go out and think it is ok to start training for a road race. I have to strengthen (especially my core and back) and stretch to heal completely. Yoga seems like a perfect way to do this.

I have grown to love yoga because it has been helping me get through my injury, but let’s get this straight-I’m no yogini. I just recently in the past year have started to practice yoga more consistently. When I was really uninformed about yoga, I thought it was not “intense” enough for me. I thank my injury for leaving me nothing really but yoga to do and opening my eyes. After my first few classes, I quickly realized that my muscles were as tight as ever and that yoga can be VERY intense and fast paced. In addition to providing a way for me to become a better athlete through improved strength and flexibility, yoga has helped me mentally. I find myself being more relaxed and calm during stressful situations and able to separate myself from the hustle and bustle of everyday work. Who doesn’t need a way to de-stress from work and everyday life? Running definitely provided this for me, but once you really get into yoga, you see that it is different than a running de-stress session.

THE CHALLENGE

After an amazing Saturday morning class, I was inspired to start a 30 day yoga challenge to help me stay motivated and on track. I have been pretty good about doing yoga once or twice a week, but I think doing it everyday will help me expedite my healing process. AND I think it might be fun to have you all join me! We can share yoga routines and postures, tips, and help motivate one another to keep up with our practice!

Remember, I am not an expert yogini! I started just by doing videos and attending a beginners class to start. So don’t be afraid of joining me on this challenge! This may be the perfect way for you to get into yoga and we can become yogini’ together!

Do I have to go to a studio?!

My challenge isn’t going to involve a yoga class in a studio everyday for 30 days. Let’s face it…that can get expensive! In my challenge, you can use videos, routines you find online or on Pinterest..in fact…check out my Yoga Pinboard! You should start one too!

What if I can’t do an hour class everyday?

For this challenge, we don’t have to do a full on hour or more class. Even a 15-20 minute yoga routine will suffice. When I run, I don’t do an hour run everyday! I alternate easy/hard. So why not use this methodology with yoga too if I need to?

When does it start?

I am going to start now, but I think I will have a more “official” start to this challenge for everyone on September 1st to ring in the National Yoga Month! Spread the word! If you have a blog, feel free to brag about your participation and take this image to use! Let’s get everyone to become a yogini!

Use this code to add the image to your widgets!

<center><a href=” http://www.littlemissrunshine.com/30-day-yoga-challenge “<img src=”http://www.littlemissrunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/LMR-Yoga-Challenge1.jpg” width=”200″</a><center>

Prove it!

Keep track of your workouts! Ideally, if you have a blog, post your workouts on a page or somehow so we can see what you have done. This is also nice because other people participating can see what your workouts to copy them or just to send you some motivation! I will also be logging my workouts in DailyMile of course. If you don’t have a blog or are a part of DailyMile (which you should be!), then you can use an excel sheet and keep track of your yoga workouts.

I might try to work on getting some prizes donated! So I need your proof in order for you to participate. I am going on the honor system so don’t fudge it!

THE PARTICIPANTS

See who else is doing the challenge! Let’s help cheer one another on whether it is through DailyMile, a blog, or tweeting! Do you want to join? Comment or email me at littlemissrunshine@gmail.com so I can add your info too!