This post is going up a little later than intended because I started 2015 off by watching five back-to-back episodes of Jax Teller Sons of Anarchy on Netflix. We’re off to a great, productive year, my friends.
Anyway…
Every year I vow to regularly practice yoga. Every year I do a couple classes or videos at home and then quickly deprioritize yoga in favor of other workouts. My commitment to becoming a badass, Instagram-famous yogi who posts pictures of herself doing insane poses at sunset on picturesque beaches wanes by about January 10th.
But this is year is going to be different. And I can say that confidently because by the end of 2014, things already were different. My attitude towards working out, yoga and meditation has changed, and for the past few months, I’ve been going to at least one yoga class a week, looking forward to them, and itching to incorporate more into my schedule. I LOVE YOGA. Which says a lot seeing as I was rolling my eyes at every “ohm” six months ago.
So how’d this happen? Why did I even bother when I’d never been able to enjoy it in the past? Here are a few reasons why I (now) adore yoga and what’s changed to bring me to this point.
I’m more in tune with what my body needs for a well-rounded level of fitness, and flexibility training is the missing piece.
I exercise a lot and my workouts are varied—HIIT routines at home, megaformer classes, running, rowing, spinning, bootcamps and everything in between. But I admittedly don’t stretch enough or focus on flexibility, which is a key component to overall fitness. Doing the splits may not be in the cards for everyone (nor does it have to be), but you should work for a certain level of flexibility for injury prevention, increased range of motion and muscle balance.
I like that I’m bad (or at least definitely not good) at yoga…yet.
As you grow older, it’s easy to just stick with what you’re good at. And that’s not necessarily bad—I think a big part of what makes us “good” or “bad” at things is our level of interest in them, and as you grow older you should weed out things you don’t enjoy and do more of what you love. The trap, however, is when sticking to what you’re good at prevents you from trying out new things and discovering other activities you don’t yet know you enjoy.
I actually like that I’m inflexible and look like a total spas doing yoga (see picture above…trying so hard at the easiest “pose” ever and struggling). It’s a challenge and makes every little progression seem like a huge achievement. And because I’m such a beginner, I can set so many goals for myself this year. I’m going to take progress pictures to see how much I can improve my flexibility over the course of 2015, which makes my nerd brain beyond excited. And you bet your ass I’m going to post pictures on Instagram every time I master a cool pose. Right now an amateur crow is about as baller as I get, and I can hold it for a whopping four seconds before face-planting… 
I’ve realized that not every workout has to (or should) leave you feeling beat, drained and sore.
Ever find yourself feeling disappointed with a workout if it doesn’t leave you on the verge of barfing or sore the next morning? I’m guilty of it. Don’t get me wrong—some workouts should push you passed your perceived limits; that’s how we create change. But there’s no need to go to that extreme every workout. I’ve been getting better about working out smarter (as opposed to harder) and really listening to my body. Some days I want to finish a workout feeling like I just emptied my proverbial tank of everything I had. Other days, I want to finish a workout feeling like I just filled my tank. Which brings me to my next point…
I love that post-yoga feeling: calm and relaxed, yet invigorated.
Isn’t it the best?! Every time I leave a yoga class, I feel like I’ve just given my body, mind and soul a big hug.
I realized that not every yoga session needs to take up 90 minutes of my day.
Workouts don’t need to be long to be effective (see: all the quick workouts I post here), and I have no clue why it took me so long to realize that it applies to yoga as well. I think that’s a big reason I never stuck with it in the past—if I only had an hour of free time during the day to workout, I would prioritize workouts that gave me a bigger burn (muscularly or calorically).
Recently I was having some lower back pain, and on days I didn’t feel like going to a full-length yoga class, I would just do 10-15 minutes of it on my own before bed to relief some of the ache. Granted, me doing yoga on my own is essentially just me rolling around on the floor like a toddler pretending to know what I’m doing, but still.
I’ve learned to love the mental benefits of yoga as much as the physical.
This has fully allowed me to appreciate the wonders of yoga. I used to fidget through any part of a yoga class that got too meditative and really disliked the parts of stillness in the practice. I have a busy mind, I’m a go-go-go type of person, and I have a lot of energy. It can be hard to quiet my mind and body, but it’s exactly what I (and all you other high-strung perfectionists out there!) need.
What are your fitness goals for 2015? Do they involve yoga?
Outfit is from Fabletics.
Hey there! I'm Nicole, a group fitness instructor, healthy lifestyle blogger (you probably figured that one out by now) and Certified Personal Trainer living in Boston, MA.
You’ve basically just described (at least one of) my new years resolutions and also the fact that I spent all afternoon watching back to back SOA (season 4 is just too good!).
I put together a few points on how useful I’ve found SMART goals this year – might be worth a look for you. http://wp.me/p4HKTN-ra
Oh man, I just started season 4…can’t. stop. watching.
Great post!! I think we are very similar in terms of our thinking on fitness and I’ve been trying to take the time to stretch more! I’ll look forward to your posts on Insta 🙂
Happy New Year!
XO Chloe
A Latte Lipstick
I too have recently started doing yoga. I swap one of my high impact workouts each week for an hour of yoga and boy does it feel good! It really is a work-out for mind as well as body and it’s slowly but surely helping my flexibility which is pretty much non-existent!
Hi Nicole! Yes, much like you I’ve been trying to go to yoga once a week the past few months. While I used to dread it, I’m starting to love the way it makes me feel – both mind and body. I teach group fitness and do a lot of hard workouts, so at first, I’d pair a hard workout with yoga after, but now I’m appreciating yoga all on its own. I hope to become more flexible in 2015. Good luck to both of us! 🙂
Watching Sons of Anarchy (Jax Teller) is a GREAT way to start the new year! Incorporating yoga into my life is also on my to-do list for the year, too! I actually have never even tried it, but I need to!
I love your comment about not having to do a 90 minute practice everytime you practice. i’m going to try to incorporate more morning sessions into my routine this new year. Thanks for sharing – this was a great post! I can’t wait to see your progress!
Happy New Year Nicole! My fitness goal is mostly to stick with a routine, which involves yoga once a week in studio and at home everyday. I want to be able to do the splits and a headstand by the end of the year! I’m also hoping to do a sprint triathlon. Glad to hear you’re liking yoga!
xo, Laura
laurasbestlife.com
Great thoughts! For me, I love the idea of ‘practicing’ yoga – that it’s ongoing work and not something you perfect. I’m OBSESSED with Prana in Cambridge & Newton and subscribe to Taylor (co-founder)’s inspirational daily emails (I highly suggest them). She definitely brings a great mind/body connection that always reminds me how yoga benefits both. Anyway, great goal for 2015! I as well want to fit it in more (I was a bit embarrassed a month ago when they said my 10-pack had expired)
Cheers!
– Amy
I’ll have to try out Prana! Adding it to the list 🙂
Yes they do! I’ve recently gotten into Bikram and LOVE it! I too find that being limber is so much more important as I get older. I hope to practice 3 times a week in 2015
Nicole – I applaud you. I’ve had a similar ambition for the last 15 years. I am in the process of making a big life change (not fitness related) and I decided yoga should be part of this change. Years of running have left my body a mess. On top of this, being married to one of the most flexible people on Earth, yoga is down right intimidating. So I am of similar mindset as you. Day 1 – done. Best, Tim
Holy cow we are twins because A. Almost exactly a month ago I became so obsessed with SoA that I watched every episode in a 2 weeks span so I could watch the series finale live and B. I always wanted to get into yoga, but finally went through with it last year and now I’m totally yoga obsessed. I used to be all I’ve got to go balls to the wall or it doesn’t count, but as I get older I realize that just because something is low impact doesn’t mean it’s easy. Yoga can be seriously hard, but still makes you feel so good. Good luck on your journey and when you’re feeling bad about not nailing those cool poses (guilty!) remember, it’s a practice!
One of my goals is to practice yoga at least once every other week (for now…). I had a hard time getting it in once a week (which is sad, I know), but I love the way my body and mind feels afterwards, and want to slowly incorporate more and more of it!
I started getting into yoga (and Sons of Anarchy) at the beginning of, what is now, last year. I started going to yoga 1-2 times a week with a Groupon deal for a studio near my apartment and then ended up signing up for an unlimited membership at that studio and I now I usually take 5-6 classes per week. It’s been awesome for improving flexibility and gaining confidence and strength in my body but also for learning to manage stress through breathing. I don’t know how I’ve gone so long without it. I think the key is to realize that you can do yoga anywhere and that it comes into your life in a number of ways that don’t necessarily involve going to an actual class.
Which yoga videos do you do on youtube?
I haven’t gotten into any YouTube videos yet, but have yoga dvds from Yoga by Candace, Zuzka Light and Bob Harper that I LOVE!
I too always promise myself to to more yoga every single year. I have a good feeling this year will be the year! 🙂
Funny…one of my goals is to add more yoga at home. Going to a clas all the time can be very time consumming and expensive. A few more times a week will be a big help for my flexiblity and contribute to my overall fitness goals.
Yes I love yoga! My gym offers it four times a week. The worst part for me is, my dad goes and is better then I am!!!!
I feel your pain–I did a yoga class with my mom one time and she kicked. my. ass. 😉
I love this post, thanks for sharing.I feel the exact same way about yoga. I try and try and try to get into it but then my interest fades or I turn my attention to something else. But I seem to always go back to it. It is a huge challenge for me to relax my mind but when I can, and a pose clicks, I remember why I always end up back on the mat! SO yes, like you, my resolution is to get back to the mat regularly!! Happy New Year!
Awesome post!! I totally feel you on yoga, and totally am guilty of the “don’t have time for yoga must do hardcore HIIT instead” mentality. I like your approach – it’s my turn to do yoga this year!!
xx Jill
Latest Post – Resolutions-shmalutions: How to Crush Your Goals Year Round
Yes! Definitely time for change! I’m with you!
http://www.flowercrowngoddess.weebly.com
I LOVE YOUR TOP!!! Oh my gosh. Where did you get it? Or them…?
I have a love hate relationship with yoga. I go hard core and go to yoga 3x a week for 90 min classes and then BOOM I can’t get myself to go for a month. I would totally agree with you that yoga doesn’t need to be these 90 minute classes. Maybe I’ll add a goal for a daily yoga sequence…even if its just 10 minutes a day!
So far, these are my 2015 goals! http://www.keepitrealclean.com/2015/01/01/new-year-new-bucket-list/
The top & bra are from Fabletics –> http://www.fabletics.com/invite/60641314/ 🙂 Loved your goal of establishing new traditions–it’s something I’d love to do as well!
I wrote about on my Blog about my resolutions for a healthier 2015, and yes one of them does include yoga! some months ago, during an extended side angle pose (nothing fancy at all, I know), I suffered a partial dislocation of my left knee. I have to add that my left knee joint is unstable, and this is something that happens to me more often than I would like to. Because of that, I had to stop doing yoga and, unfortunately, I never felt confident enough to practice it again. Next year I want to be confident and go back to practice yoga regularly 🙂
I love this so much! Yoga has definitely helped me through some pretty tough times. Above all, I love how it grounds me, gives me a sense of appreciation and leads me to believe that I can transform my life. Plus, legs for days and it’s absolutely how I sculpt my arms! Miss you!
Happy 2015!!! I recently discovered Yoga With Adriene on YouTube and she is my current fave!! You should check her out for those times you want to do a quick session at home. I’m actually doing her 30 day yoga challenge right now. Yoga by Candace is another great one. I look forward to all of your upcoming posts!
I have a Yoga by Candace dvd and LOVE it–I’ll have to check out Adriene! 🙂
I fell in love with yoga this past year, mostly within the past 2 months. I used to give it the cold shoulder for precisely the reasons you described above. I had a stressful fall and winter and doing yoga really, truly helped center me and enabled me to manage massive heaps of stress. It’s amazing! Good luck with your resolution!!
I just wrote a blog post of my own of goals and strives for 2015 and I wish I would’ve included more yoga after reading your post! I love yoga but just don’t do it enough. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love yoga – that post-yoga feeling is the best. I was like you where I didn’t feel yoga was the best use of my limited workout time, but I was so wrong. It’s so important to a well-rounded workout routine. I try to incorporate it at least once a week now, this year I’d love to do more. I like your idea of mini sessions – maybe I can even do it once a day if I just do a quick 10-15 mins before bed. Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe you can post a yoga inspired workout sometime this year 🙂
I’m definitely going to! 🙂
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who can’t do that hands in prayer behind the back thing! I’m pretty damn flexible naturally, but for some reason I can NOT do that!
I’m doing the 21 day challenge from Gaiam TV, so I’ve got 4 days of yoga down, a million to go!
Awesome! Yoga is truly brilliant 🙂 I actually laughed so much when I saw the series of ‘prayer hands behind the back’ you kinda look like you were enjoying it though!? Your upward facing dog looks so good and strong!
By the way, I have an Etsy shop selling illustrations – I actually specialize in yoga illustrations, you can check it out here if you want:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ALoveTriangle
They’re beautiful!
The beginning of last year was my year. I started to work out more and felt over all better about myself. The end of the year was very blah. This year I hope to do better even though I haven’t even started. This gives me some inspiration! Thanks.
Vashti
http://www.herestotakingchances.com
Setbacks and “blah” phases happen to the best of us–keep at it, you’ll get back on track! 🙂 Wishing you all the best in the new year!
I have attended 1 yoga class and I’m going back tonight. I did enjoy it even though I know I looked like a total “no balance” dork. (Thank goodness for curtains in the gym) But going back tonight………. BTW I too just started watching Jax, ummm I mean SOA. Thank goodness for Netflix!!!
Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.blogspot.com
Oh man, I’m already on season 4–it’s so good!!
My current love for yoga is a hybrid PiYo – I love the combo of pilates & yoga poses… it’s seriously on of my favorite workouts of the week and I feel like it just compliments the hard days, ya know? And girl, that yoga after feeling – calm, relaxed, and yet, invigorated is THE BEST!! 🙂
xo Danielle http://stylecrushdiaries.blogspot.com
I’ve been hearing a lot about PiYo lately–I’ve gotta try it! 🙂