Light On Yoga Challenge Week 1 & 2

On Monday I will be starting this challenge.  I'm more than excited to have a number of people along for the ride with me; some yoga teachers, other absolute beginners, and you can bet we will all be learning from each other.  I've set up a Facebook group if you would like to join in on discussions about the weekly poses, modifications, how to cater for injuries, how the hell to find time to practice daily and anything else yoga related. 

In the last few weeks I've been reading Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi and I had to share this quote because it pretty much sums up where I am starting after having a loooong break from daily practice. 

"There is nothing particularly romantic or pleasant about these first encounters with a long-neglected self... We're talking screaming hamstrings, spinal columns that sag in all the wrong places, arms that tire after a few seconds of being raised, and a mind that can't get past three on a count of ten without losing track."

Yep, that's pretty much me, especially the screaming hamstrings.  Plus, most of the time I'm practicing with a 10 month old hanging off one leg or crawling over my face. (It certainly makes you work harder to counterbalance and/ or focus.) I'm going to take the positive spin and say he is 'challenging' me to work harder.

Here are the first fortnight's poses. (This link will take you to a printable version of the image below) Obviously if you have any injuries or are pregnant, please seek individual advice before attempting any of the poses and always listen to your body.

The sequence I'll be following- Tadasana, Vrksasana (L&R), Virabhadrasana 1 (R), Parvottanasana (R), Utthita Trikonasana (R), Utthita Parvokanasana (R), Virabhadrasana 2 (R), Virabhadrasana 1 (L), Parvottanasana (L), Utthita Trikonasana (L), Utthita Parvokanasana (L), Virabhadrasana 2 (L), Salamba Sarvangasana 1, Halasana, Savasana

 Of course you don't have to follow this sequence and you might include other poses in between, before or after.  And if you're like me, you might also have a little one who will only tolerate 5 minutes without your attention, so you may do some then come back to them later.

I plan to post my intentions at the start of the week/ fortnight and post weekly reflections at the end. If you have a blog, feel free to link up. Remember it doesn't matter if you miss a day or even a week, only that you try.  For the first fortnight I am going to shoot for daily practice (I have a month break from uni and if I'm ever going to be able to do it, it should be now).  Although I am being realistic and if I can make 20 minutes I will be happy.  My biggest concern is Parvottanasana as my hamstrings are so tight. As you can see I can't get my nose anywhere near my knee which is where it should be.   I also need to work on getting my chest and shoulders open as the full option is to have the hands behind the back in prayer (not shown).