CENTER YWA January 2023: It's here! Support thread for all

[Sooverthemill]

Yay! It's day 0 and the video is up ( at 6.03 for me). Let's do this! What a lovely gentle way to start. See you all tomorrow when we actually do a little bit of yoga.

Marking place. I usually do yoga late evening as I find it relaxing, so am yet to do day one.

@BrandNewBicep to protect your Achilles when doing downdog, you could try putting your heels on a yoga block (or even the edge of a book) which gives you the benefit of the upper body and spine stretch, but reduces the strain on your Achilles as it isn't so stretched.

For lunges, you could try having your back foot with your toenail side on the mat (rather than having your toes bent) which means your Achilles is slack rather than stretched. I find those adaptations useful as I have to protect my Achilles (old 'war wound!).

Day 1 done this morning before work - I always meditate first thing so couldn’t decide whether to do it before or after- went with after and it worked well.
I too felt very restless for the first 5 minutes of sitting- but ended up really enjoying it.
Just hope I can continue getting up so early to fit it all in!

Ooh I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and have now done day 1.
I enjoyed it a lot. but did get a bit impatient at times I like 25 minutes max I think!
As others have said I can feel that I am way ahead of this time last year -but some moves Highlighted how much you need to keep it going to remain strong
And flexible - oh well I am back at it now ,
Just need to keep it up.

I definitely use a yoga block for 'easy seated posture' which is anything but easy, it helps keep the knees a bit lower than the hips.

@VerbenaView I think if the modifications feel good they are perfect for you! They might not be what would be typically recommended by a yoga instructor, but it's a bit different when you're in you're living room! I think that's why she says Find What Feels Good.

I use a block for easy pose as well. Or a cushion if I'm too lazy! I feel like as I'm getting more flexible I need one less though. I asked a yoga instructor that I know in real life and she advised holding a lunge with back knee down for 20s each side every day. I do think it's helping! I do it while I'm sitting on the floor with my DC.

Ahh, that was nice. So lovely to be back on the mat again. The strength is still there from my other activities but flexibility is not quite where it was when I stopped a few months ago.

My right hip doesn't flex open very well for seated poses so my nice comfortable seat involves a nice comfortable folded blanket - it's meant to be a comfortable base to allow focus on the breath or upper body movement so I figured there's no point feeling uncomfortable!

Just did day 1. Not sure if it’s a coincidence but I found the first downward dog horribly hard but the final one easier. Wobbled like crazy doing the plank & I looked ridiculous doing the twisty arm neck thing. I think I did that wrong. Anyway, very please I did day 1

It really helps, doesn’t it!

Thanks @ScottishBeth I think a yoga instructor would be horrified with the modifications, but I am determined to show up each day, do what I can and make improvements as I go.

I cannot remember any of the yoga from a summer 20 yrs ago, but I remember how much the focus and breathing helped me through splitting up with my exH. Back then, I was younger, fitter, stronger and could move into poses with relative ease. I am so determined to improve my fitness and flexibility this year.

Day 1 done too. I roped in my DH to try it and he gave up half way through saying his back hurt. I really enjoyed the bit with the downward dog variation and one leg extended and behind you. It might not have looked very pretty but it felt like the proper yoga that I longingly aspire too!

Day 1 done! I am so, so out of practise but centring is absolutely what I need right now so I shall persevere. I’m another one with achilles tendonitis, just in my right ankle, so thanks @daisychain01 for mentioning the yoga block, I will definitely try that for dd. I found the time flew by for this session.

Day 2 done. Still pretty gentle which was lovely.

Last morning of getting up to do it at 7. With kids back to school tomorrow it'll be earlier starts for me! 6.15 yoga here I come!

Day 1 don't late last night so just checking in. Really enjoyed the stretch, didn't think it felt like 34mins actually. It's nice to be back.

My ambition for this month is to be able to breathe in properly. I can breathe out for ages but taking a deep 'belly' breath felt very constricted to me. I'd love to be better at it.

Will do day 2 tonight - it's definitely a before bed activity for me most days. Looking forward to seeing what everyone thought of it.

Day 2 complete. Enjoyed the 'number 7' stretch and the breathing. Got a bit lost in the plank/dog/plank bit

Day 1 done yesterday... Looking for an opportunity to squeeze in day 2 today

Day 2 done. I felt it in the waist today. Ready for my first day back to work now.

Can't believe I've done two days in a row.

Good to do it with you lovely lot.

Again, nice and gentle.

The only thing I've always found difficult is that plank to lunge move. My tummy gets in the way!
Mind you, I've found it easier to do in the last few months, and my foot is creeping closer to my hands

Towards the end, the bin men came and the dog went crazy, but I kept on going

Day 2 done. What I want to know is how does Adrienne predict that on day 2 I will wake up with a crick in my neck?! Genius.

One tip that might help is arch your upper back like cat as you move as gives more space for leg if you're not doing already

Thanks daisychain01 - will definitely give that a try.

Day 2 done - it seemed quite similar to Day 1 and I really liked plank-dog-plank (well, I didn't like it, but it felt like I needed it!). I wish I had Adriene's studio - wasn't quite the same doing it against the backdrop of the DC getting ready for school and DP clonking around the kitchen.

Just finished day 2. Slept better last night than I have in weeks!

Day 2 done here. Great way to start the day before logging back on to work.
It was hard getting up at 6.30 but felt good to do it while the house was quiet as kids still off until tomorrow here.

Was too cooks at 6:30 here, so started work early and you a break at 8:30 to do day 2. I quite like that system, I may do it again!