Hey, friends! How was your weekend? Fun-filled, I hope! Here’s what was happening around here…
But really, I’ve got other things to talk about this morning. Fun things.
So we did this back in June. But now, I’m bringin’ it back again…
It’s the return of the Yoga Challenge, baby!
Admittedly, I really fell off the yoga bandwagon last month; I think I was lucky if I got in maybe 4 sessions total? And I always kick myself for it because I really do feel so awesome when I do it consistently.
So now, with the start of a new month (and a recently purchased Groupon deal for 5 yoga classes at a local studio) I’m once again taking the challenge to, once again, incorporate more yoga into my life…and I hope that you’ll all join me!
If you do, I even made you this fun, festive button to add to your blog, too.
Can you tell I love all things fall/Halloween/October?
This time around, I’m keeping things the same as they were in June, so here’s what we’ve got on tap…
So…What’s the Challenge?
- For me, I’m challenging myself to incorporate three sessions of a yoga a week into my workout routine. The length of sessions doesn’t matter – 45 minutes, 30 minutes, 10 minutes – as long as I do three sessions.
- If you want to join in on the challenge but you think three sessions would be too much (or too little!) then you can create your own yoga challenge.
- Maybe you want to master a new pose?
- Maybe you want to finally try out that hot yoga studio down the street?
- Maybe this is going to be your first-ever attempt at down dog?
- It’s totally up to you!
What if I don’t have any yoga equipment/studios/DVD’s?
- No worries! There are about a gazillion DVD’s out there. I have a few that I enjoy (all of which are in my Amazon Store):
- 10lb. Slimdown
- Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown
- Body By Bethenny
- If anyone else has any DVD’s that they love, feel free to link up here!
- There are also plenty of great yoga websites that offer free or low-cost yoga videos for you to try…
- http://www.yogadownload.com/ <—free & low-cost video and audio
- http://www.doyogawithme.com/yoga_classes <—free, from what I can see
- And of course, there’s always YouTube!
How will I check in? (dates have been edited*)
- On Mondays, I’m going to do a recap post of how the week went for myself (did I get all 3 sessions in, how am I feeling, etc…) and I would encourage you to do the same. I will have a link-up (similar to WIAW) where you’ll be able to link your own recap post, so this way we can all help cheer each other on! Our first one will be Monday, October 8th.
- If you don’t have a blog, but still want to include a recap, email me with a small snippet by Sunday at 5pm (sweettoothcourtney[@]gmail[.]com) and I’ll include it in my own post.
- You can tweet and/or Instagram about the challenge using the hashtag #myyogachallenge. This way, we can all follow along throughout the month (and use it for encouragement when we may need it!)
I think I’m looking forward to this challenge even more than I was the first challenge, and I’m reeeeeally hoping that you guys will get psyched about it too. If there’s any other questions, or anything I missed, feel free to ask.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
What a great challenge! I’m the same way with yoga – never get around to doing it but always feel fantastic when I do. It’s so strange that yoga is the one type of fitness activity that seems to be like that for most people!
Melanie says
Yes I’m in! I’m so happy you decided to host the yoga challenge again and LOVE the sweet badge! Namaste…
Brittany @ Protein And Pumps says
I recently set a goal to incorporate yoga at least once a week because I always put it off yet feel so good after I do it. So I’m down for the challenge : )
Kristy @Kristy's Health Revolution says
My very favorite yoga DVD’s of all time are the MTV yoga series with Kristin McGee — I’ve tried a LOT of yoga DVD’s, but those two I could do again and again.
I’m so in on this! I’ve noticed some serious tightness in my back/legs this month from all the half-marathon training and not enough stretching. I could use this challenge before my race next month!
Lauren says
Wow, this is one challenge I really should jump on. Sadly, I know I’ll fail at it this month with travel and a crazy teaching schedule. I WILL increase my yoga though! :)
Lea @ Greens and Coffee Beans says
I’m definitely in! I loved the challenge back in June, and I’ve been neglecting my yoga practice lately. This challenge is just what I need!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I did yoga yesterday and kept thinking to myself that I need to do this often! I too feel so good when I incorporate more yoga into my routine…I’m in! :)
Megan@funsizedfitness says
I love the Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown video! Not sure if I’m going to commit to the yoga challenge, but I’m definitely going to try to incorporate more stretching into my daily workouts :)
Coco says
I’m totally in! Adding the button to my blog now :)
Coco says
I just wrote a post about the challenge on my blog and linked to your blog! Hope you don’t mind :-) I’m pumped!
Bethany says
I’m TERRIBLE about following through with yoga. We’ve been doing yoga as part of (most of) our warm-up for modern class – does that count towards my sessions if I do the challenge?
Courtney says
Sure!! The more people, the merrier :)
Heather@YSP says
I’m in. I’m keeping it simple with 1-2 yoga sessions per week, at home, with my DVDs. :) I just want to slowly incorporate it.
Kristin says
I’m definitely in! I did it with you a few months back and loved it. Lucky for me, my job offers yoga once a week during lunch :-) That means 2 other sessions on my own. I can do this!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m definitely IN! I’ve been finding that I need more yoga in my life lately, for physical and mental strength, so I am in! 3 sessions per week seems like the perfect thing for me.
Elaine says
What a great idea! I started taking yoga and pilates classes about a year ago. I honestly look forward to it each week. It’s a very different workout, but I leave feeling very calm and invigorated. October is a crazy busy month for me, but I will try to push myself to attend a few more classes if my schedule allows it :)
Lindsey says
I need to do this! My goal is go to yoga twice a week, one harder class and one easy/light class. Thanks for doing this again!
Karleen says
I want to do this so bad! I don’t have a blog but I will check in with you guys every Friday as well. It’s ridiculous how much I dislike stretching and yoga when it should be something that I should be taking seriously. My body is so tight and I workout and still play sports so I feel as though sometimes my hamstrings are so tight that they’re going to pop! Not a good feeling to be having at all. So I’m in:)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
Sounds fun! I’m in!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
I am thinking this may be a great challenge for me.. :) I find that as much as I love yoga and how it makes my body feel, I struggle with fitting in the time for it during my day. I think sometimes I assume I can do cardio and strength training much faster than an hour of yoga could be. I need to remind myself a yoga session doesn’t have to be long! 10 or 20 minutes of yoga a week can definitely add up too!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
I need to do this because I failed HARDCORE with the June challenge! Hopefully I can make this one work!
Yellow Haired Girl says
I think I should do this. I don’t do it NEAR enough … but always am reminded of how much I love it when I do!
BakingSuit says
I didn’t do too well last time, but I’ll try again!
Becky Przy says
I don’t have a blog, but I will be doing the yoga challenge! I am excited because I also get to hear Chris Freytag speak this weekend:-)
Beks says
I’m game. I just restarted Jamie Eason’s LiveFit trainer, and the first month is all weight training. I know I’m going to need something to stretch out my body afterward. Also, my mom wants to start doing some yoga, so maybe I can get her to join me!
Rachel says
I’ll try :) I’m more of a Pilates person though lol
kristin says
I am going to try again hopefully I am more successful then the last time
Maria says
Love this challenge! I am dealing with some knee pain and cannot run at the moment, so yoga is key for me right now. Excited to participate!
Luvena says
Awesome challenge!! I have been toying with the idea of taking up yoga but I don’t my gym only has classed during the hours I am at work. So THANK YOU for the DVD recommendations.
Sienna says
I’m in! I’m going to aim for at least one 30 minute session of yoga/week.
Courtney says
YAY Sienna!
We’ll make sure to incorporate that into your weekly training plan then ;)
Linda says
I am in! For my first contortion….. getting that button on the my blog!
Thanks Court!
Erin says
Yes!! I need this!
Tanya says
I will, looking forward to it!
Jessamy @ The Rambling Asian says
Of course I am on the challenge!!! :)
Lauren @The Homeostatic Mindset says
Ooooh! I’ve really wanted to get back into yoga and this may be just to push I need!!! Thanks, Courtney! :)
Kelsey@ kelseyruns says
I’m so in! I love yoga but somehow I never find the time to get a class in. This is the motivation I’ve been looking for :)
Beth M says
I am so in. I have also slacked a bit in the past couple months on yoga, even though I know that when I do it I feel better! For yoga newbies, or anyone else really, I recommend doing some of Tara Stiles videos on youtube, or she has a couple of DVD’s out there too. Good luck everyone :)
Julia says
Definitely in! I’m going to try and do yoga on Sunday afternoons all month and also to incorporate at least one other session into my week!
I’d love to add the button to my blog, but I just launched mine so I don’t exactly know how! Can anyone help? I’m a newbie :)
Courtney says
Hey Julia! If you go into your WordPress dashboard, you’ll probably see a tab along the left that says ‘appearance.’ When you scroll over that, you should see “widgets” as an option – click on that. Once you’re there, you should see various boxes to add to your sidebars. Choose a “text” box, copy and paste the code from my blog directly, and you should be all set!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Sounds like an awesome idea! I’m thinking that I need to add a bit more yoga in my life – I love it but I don’t do it nearly enough!
Emma says
I’m excited about this!! I’m already off to a good start since I did a mini session this AM =)
Hannah says
This will be a super-stressful month for me in the school department, so I already know I am definitely going to be needing some relaxation. I am going to take the challenge and challenge myself to incorporate yoga into my workout schedule at least 2 x per week!
Hannah says
This may sound silly, but I am new to the blogging world…can anyone tell me how I post the button to my blog? Thanks!
Courtney says
Check out my comment above to Julia! That should help :)
Hannah says
Thanks! I’ll give it a try :)
Jillian says
Im in! My challange is to try yoga for the first time. I need 10 hours of personal wellness for a class and this is going to be it. So I need 10 hours by the end of the month.
Brooke Tewell says
I will definitely be joining in, button is already on my blog :)
Becki @Fight4Wellness says
I’m all over this! I rarely do yoga and have been saying that I really need to do it more often. This is a perfect opportunity to start.
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
I’m in! Such a fun button, I can’t resist :-)
Kymberly Swope says
I am so in. I did yoga today too! I am actually trying to do it daily or most days of the week.
Lynn says
Other than 10 pound slim down any 20 minute DVD recommendations? I think I have to start shorter and work up to a longer workout, but I think incorporating yoga would do wonder for my hip flexors!
Min says
Yay! I love you for starting this! Count me In!!! I can’t wait to try those DVDs and of course the free downloads! It may be a challenge as I ended my gym membership, meaning no more instructors to push me. But this is good…I also like this particular one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw51-WHaD_A&feature=related. Very similar to my classes.
Leanne says
Hey Min! I just happened to see your comment here :D! I’m joining too ;) I love watching YouTube for yoga practice ideas! This particular one I hadn’t seen before :) Happy Yoga this month! Love, Leanne
Libby says
Fun! I run alot and do pilates 3-4 times a week. I have always wanted to give yoga a try. I think I will start off with doing a session on Friday evenings, kick off the weekend right and might help my long runs on Saturday mornings! I might need some new yoga pants though;)
Courtney says
Hahaha, yes you do!! ;)
Leanne says
Oh my… I really don’t have time for this but I’m SO IN! I wanna do more yoga and my challenge will be to incorporate yoga into my daily routine so it will cost me the least amount of time for optimal benefits :D I want to stretch my muscles more, I’m working out 4 or 5 times a week but I don’t stretch enough.. yoga could really help me with this! Happy October! Love, Leanne
Bek @ Crave says
Awesome! I’m not much of a yoga fanatic but really should partake for the stretching and mental benefits- however I feel if I did I just wouldn’t commit to it enough. Maybe when I’m on uni break and if you have another :) I’ll definitely be here encouraging haha
Leanne says
http://eatandgetmoving.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/october-yoga-challenge-2012-jump-on-board-now/
Yeah! just uploaded my vow to join the challenge ;-) Thanks for hosting Courtney!
Courtney says
WOO HOO!! :)
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life says
Wow! I feel like your June yoga challenge was just a few weeks ago!! HOW is it October already?!?! Oh well, I’m not complaining, it’s my favorite time of year!
Courtney says
I agree! :)
Genevieve Cadorette says
Hi! I love this – I’d like to try this! I do yoga almost everyday but I’d like to challenge myself to master some moves: king pigeon (both legs), and maybe another move or two! Can’t wait to get started.
Courtney says
Sounds great!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
How fun!! I need to do more yoga!! My goal is twice a week! Gotta start small…
Joy says
I am in! Did my first class last night :-) my goal is two studio classes and one home one
Michelle @ EFTB says
Love this! I have such an on-again off-again relationship with yoga, but when I’m in a yoga rhythm I feel invincible. I was just mentioning how I would like to incorporate more yoga into my routine again and Julie at http://abetterlifewithburgers.blogspot.com/ recommended I check this out. I’m in!
Courtney says
YAY! That’s great news, Michelle. Welcome to the challenge!
Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia says
I’d love to sign up for this too! I’m having a problem adding the button to my blog though. Usually, it’s a simple copy/paste, right? not sure why it doesn’t like me today :] Has anyone else has issues with this? Loooove this idea btw :] X
Courtney says
Hmmmm, yes it usually is copy and paste, but you would have to add it as a text widget. Did you try it that way?
Sarah says
Just came across this challenge!!!! SOOOO excited :) Thank you Courtney for coming up with this idea, purely brilliant. Can’t wait to get my yoga on and start releasing the tightness!
Adaline says
I missed the opportunity!! When you will go to next challenge?? I love to join the booty challenge.