Buzz
Yoga has never really appealed to me. Over the years, I've given it several tries, especially as the 'yoga bodies' trend and the abundance of yoga studios took over, but as someone with a lot of energy, I prefer activities like running and other forms of cardio. Although the few yoga sessions I attempted were certainly challenging, they weren’t the kind of challenge I enjoy. I’d rather be running or jumping around than holding a single pose until my muscles start to burn.
I’m aware that yoga is great for building strength, an area I’m lacking in. Additionally, its focus on mindfulness could help calm my anxious mind. After suffering a minor knee injury recently, which forced me to take a break from my usual running routine, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take on the Mytour Fitness Challenge and see if I could make myself like yoga by committing to it for 30 days.
How to Start Yoga When You’re Not a Yoga Person
I didn’t need to do any research to choose a yoga instructor. Despite my long-standing resistance to yoga, I’d heard so much about the well-known Adriene Mishler of Yoga With Adriene from various people (and outlets), and I quickly understood why—her vibe is warm, approachable, and calm without being the stereotypical yoga teacher. Plus, her classes come in various lengths—many lasting under 30 minutes—and, most importantly, they’re free.
Since I’m in decent shape and fairly flexible, I opted to skip the basic 'yoga-for-beginners' path and instead followed Adriene’s calendar for the month. The theme of 'Renew' also sounded appealing.
The first video I tried was called 'Yoga for Concentration and Mental Focus,' and while I didn’t really feel it helped with either of those things, I did find it to be a relaxing 26-minute break during my workday. Even the simple head-rocking exercise at the start was surprisingly soothing and made me realize how rarely I stretch my neck.
By the end of the session, I was sweating more than I expected from such a gentle workout, and my back muscles felt more worked than they had in a long time. While I’m not yet sure that I’ll become a full-fledged yoga enthusiast, the positive experience has made me excited to try the next class. Stay tuned for the rest of my journey this month as I explore yoga and track any benefits I discover along the way.
