i think i deleted a post about getting back into yoga. i'm a month back into it and i started feeling the difference after a week. the body's muscle memory is incredible to me. yoga is harder to spring back from compared to running as far as my body and mind are concerned. you go through the first few days of soreness, but i don't think i get it as bad with running as i do with yoga. with running, i attain a healthy shape. it keeps the bad weight off, puts on muscle, and tests my endurance. it is the ultimate exercise for my body and mind type and none other works better for me on an overall level. yoga, on the other hand, doesn't keep the bad weight off as good as running does. however, it does tone my muscles, and is something i need to calm myself from the constant "pounding" of running. it helps that "gentle" part of you to be explored and exposed. it's all about balance, you know? and this kind of balance is what works for me. in yoga, when those muscles start to get loose and flexible again, it feels really great. like really, really great. my favorite yoga poses are hip-openers, inversions, and arm balances. i get really excited when the teacher mentions any of those poses during class, or even through a video at home. i am not as flexible as other yoga enthusiasts (due to injuries), but i'm strong, or can be, so anything that concerns challenges in strength is where i'm at. just remember to breathe. inhale to create space, exhale to go deeper.

what about you? what do you do to let go? what do you get excited about when it comes to physical challenges? what gets you motivated?

today is day 30 of my 30-day yoga immersion/challenge... i still get sore. i'm pretty sore right now, actually. there is still the concentration on my breathing and clearing the head that i need to work on. that has been the hardest part for me. the mind is too strong. anything physical is much easier for me. mind always over matter, except when it's the mind working against itself, it's pretty difficult. do you ever find times when you feel like your mind is fighting with itself? that's me during "prayer" in yoga and pretty much anything to do with life, except when the heart steps in and wants to take lead then all hell breaks loose. set it on fire, drop it from the sky, stab it with a fork, forget about it! um, let's move on... physically, i'm pretty surprised at what i've been able to do. though not perfect, i can get into crow pose and transition into a headstand tripod. it happened by accident when the teacher/guide/whatever asked a student to show us how to properly do it. i attempted it and nailed it and have been practicing it everyday. it's easier to do headstands alone, but transitioning to or from it is challenging.

anyway, i'm enrolling myself in bikram yoga for another 30-day challenge. again, i'm up for it. that is, until i either pass out or vomit or do both during class. yay.