Yip, 100 days of Yoga practice, meditation, focusing on breathing, researching and accomplishing what I set out to do – find positive change!
So who am I now compared to 100 days ago? There are two specific areas where I have noticed a positive change: Physical and mind.
Let’s start with the physical
I don’t like to jump on the scales so I can’t give you an actual weight difference if there is one! Last night my 6-year-old was showing off his muscles at the table during dinner, those potatoes he just ate went straight to his muscles of course! So we all ended up showing our arm muscles expecting as usual Dads would stand out the most (as he eats the most veggies right 😉 ) But nooo I even surprised myself as the muscles popped up on my arms and there was some serious definition, my kids then laughed and told my hubby I am probably stronger than him now . . . he looked worried 😉
There is core strength there for sure, and had I not been eating blocks of chocolate and massive meals lately I would say there would be a nice ‘after photo’ – obviously! But hey, maybe now I am in a good Yoga routine I will start to focus on the food intake. Contracting my stomach muscles and feeling them though – yep proud to say there are some abs in there. I’m feeling stronger all over for sure yet it also brings awareness to how weak I was before and how there is a long way to go to achieve what I would like to. Of all the places in my body, my back feels the weakest, which is something I had never noticed before starting Yoga.
Now onto the REAL positive changes, the ones that matter SO much more, my mind and well being.
For some of us the person who knows us best, and will tell us the truth openly, is our Mothers. For me, this is true anyway so I knew it really meant something when she told me the other day
‘You’re a lot calmer and relaxed to be around, we’ve noticed a change’.
It shows things have changed as I didn’t focus on the fact that she was implying I DIDN’T use to be and get upset about it, but I saw what she meant, agreed and took it as a compliment and a realization that’s why I started in the first place! My husband just read this, laughed, and safely said ‘Um yeah I agree with your Mum’… Clearly used to still playing it safe 🙂
The main reason I started Yoga was that I ended up having about 3 panic attacks in one week and anxiety was starting to really take over. It has always been an issue for me (even though I didn’t realize what it was when I was younger) and after I got told ‘What if you had a panic attack while the kids were in the car’. Holy Moly did that hit home for me!! The next day I booked in for private Yoga sessions as the thought of going to an open class was too daunting. As I have mentioned before, in that hour I relaxed more than I had in years and felt such a surge of warmth and comfort like I finally had what I had been missing.
If you have seen my photos up you will see I put myself out there to go for a part in a commercial and got the part. There is NO WAY I would have done this 100 days ago or even taken the first step. A little acting as an adult has always been something I secretly wanted to do yet would never actually give a go as nerves would take over. Even though there is no speaking and it’s about 15 seconds of screen time, I’m pretty please just for the fact I did it!
I am more relaxed day to day, my kids have a calm Mum who does Yoga with them. I take the time to breathe and remain centered before meetings or speaking in front of people, and I’m sure it shows as well as feels better and more in control.
I sleep so much better than I used to, getting to sleep within minutes and most nights I am totally out to it until morning.
The most favorite part of my journey so far is the people I am meeting, the connections I am making with people whether it is online or in person. Hearing about others joy with Yoga, and seeing/hearing about people starting Yoga lights me up on the inside. I guess what Yoga does for me I see what it does for others – and there is nothing better that knowing others are creating their own positive changes which means they can be the best they can be. When a person can be the best they can be, it means they can give the best they can give xx
4 comments
A huge thank you to you Alexis for inspiring me to start my yoga journey. After months of constant illness due to not looking after myself mentally or physically I realised it was time to make a change. It was at that exact time you invited me to like the Our Yoga Tribe NZ Facebook page – divine intervention perhaps? Yoga had never appealed to me in the past however something told me I needed to give it a go. I am now 10 days into my 30 day yoga challenge and can already feel the benefits. It is bliss to get up before the rest of the family and have that time to completely focus on myself first thing in the morning. I have had one class with Amber at the Sanctuary and absolutely loved every minute of it. Early days yet but I am feeling the best I have for a long time and am looking forward to many more hours of yoga in my future. Thanks sweet xx
This warms my heart so much Kirsten, and I’m not going to lie, a few tears welled up! I’m so happy Yoga has come at the right time for you and you are already feeling the benefits. It feels so easy that Yoga becomes a part of life for good and not just a fad that rushes by. You are SUCH a busy lady so it’s wonderful that you are taking the time to look after yourself first to give the best version of yourself. Looking forward to our classes together, and wahoo for day 10!! xx
Namaste to you. I have seen u in class at Ambers and follow yr insta and yes yoga does change us. I have been going for 2 years with the beautiful Amber-Jane and my body is grateful.I came from a back injury but yoga has and is so much more for me. There is a lovely saying about yoga .. something like ‘A journey to the self through the self’.As mothers and women we can too easily forget about ourselves and then suddenly to land back in yourself again is a joy. You enjoy your journey xx It’s a great one. Megan
Hi Megan, Thanks so much for sharing xx Isn’t Amber-Janes classes amazing, I am so glad I found her. You must say Hi next time we are in the same class together 🙂 That’s exactly it, it’s like we lose who we are and through Yoga, we find ourselves again. . and more! Thanks Megan, I look forward to meeting you xx Alexis