Flying, Soaring, Hovering - Lifting our bodies off the ground! It's HARD! It's a process. It's a journey! It's also a beautiful sight to see nature at work and to imagine the body flying like a bird!
When I began my yoga journey 6 years ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had been 'working out' doing some exercise videos, a walk/jog, and a series of machines. I was not in shape. I was overweight. I remember after one of the first yoga classes I attended thinking 'I didn't know you could sweat doing yoga!' I began going to 2 classes a week, then 3, then 5. I became 'addicted' fairly quickly. I began losing weight, getting stronger and overall feeling better. Not only was my body getting stronger, but my mind-body-spirit connection grew deeper helping me to make better choices throughout my daily life leading to better over-all health.
At some of the earlier yoga classes I attended I saw poses I thought were 'unattainable'! The splits, side plank, crow, flying pigeon - other yoga participants so easily entered, but seemed miles away for me. However, it didn't keep me from trying! Over time I began to build strength. Lifting my body off the floor takes mental and physical strength. Slowly, but surely, I began to access these 'fun' poses I had once only dreamed about performing! One of my fellow yoga class members, Karen, began sharing fun poses that she enjoyed after class and I began the journey of seeking new poses to learn.
The poses in this challenge all involve some type of 'flight'. Either arm balances, forearm balances or lifting into balance. EVERY pose here is a challenge for me! I was extremely nervous and unsure I would even be able to access all of these poses in one sitting to create the photo collage for this month's challenge. I engaged mental and physical preparation to find lift in my body. Some of the poses here have taken me years to access and there are so many more poses I'm not able to access yet - but are goals for the future! Even though I have some fun pose goals, I am content with what my body gives me today. Some of the poses in this challenge I learned by 'accident' when my yoga friends, Karen or Holly, would say, "Hey, let's try this!" Being willing to try more intense poses and realize the strength in my body I never thought possible is one of the reasons I continue sharing challenges for my yoga friends every month. Everyday these exact same poses can look different in my body. Some days the weather, previous stretching or mental attitude can affect my ability to access certain poses. Spending time opening the hips, back and hamstrings will make these poses more attainable for all of us, so I encourage you to snap your photos after a yoga class or workout.
This challenge can be intimidating for all of us! But, everyone can participate! Each pose has multiple steps leading up to the pose! Choose any step along the way to post! I post videos on my YouTube channel (Clarissa Pyeatt Yoga) of each pose (link to my channel on the home page of this website) to show you how I access the pose. Sometimes our bodies give us baby steps towards more difficult poses. Sometimes our bodies are happy staying in the baby steps! Each body is made differently and bone structure along with previous injuries all affect our ability to enter into each day's pose. Some of the various pose choices to use instead of the more intense ones are - Garland Pose (Yoga Squat) for Crow, Twisted Chair for Side Crow, Kneeling Plank variations for all the Side Plank options - just to name a few. Please feel free to ask me for a suggestions of alternative poses!
This month's challenge pictures are taken on the steps of the Arneson River Theatre at La Villita along the Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX, by my gracious husband, Kenan. This venue was chosen to be a reminder of the steps along our yoga journey and through life. Every step in our journey has meaning and purpose. I wear a bracelet of this reminder - "Life is a Journey...Not a Destination...Enjoy the moments" I encourage you to enjoy each moment of your yoga journey and cherish what your body gives you each day. Some days our bodies ask us to seek rest, while other days to seek strength. Share what your body asks of you each day.
My friend, Holly, has so graciously used her talents to make some beautiful jewelry as a prize for this month's challenge. She created Dragonfly jewelry to encourage our flight! More information about the jewelry can be found on her Facebook Page, Romancing the Bead. For a chance to win this prize, share this challenge through your favorite social media channel and post a pic of your beautiful pose each day. REMEMBER - SHARE YOUR BODY'S POSE! Everyday, there may not be any two poses that people share with me that look the same! Which is wonderful! I applaud any effort your body gives each day and your willingness to share your journey! Be sure to tag me (@clarissapyeattyoga) through Facebook or Instagram - or share your pic on my posts - so I can see your pose choice for the day!
There is also a fun prize to encourage your creativity! Be creative in the pose-of-the-day you choose, the place you pose or the people you strike-a-pose with. Have FUN! YoGa is FUN! This challenge isn't meant to cause stress, but to encourage you to challenge your mental and physical strength!
I look forward to seeing you FLY this month - even if your feet never leave the ground! Find your passion and SOAR!