Yoga with Adriene EMPOWER! days 1 and 2!

IT'S HUMP DAAAAAY!

It was also my second day of EMPOWER! I discovered as I was writing my last entry that the very first video had gone live, so I did a little preview of it after I posted. If it hadn't been so close to bedtime I would've done the video right then and there, as it was I was pooped and just wanted to get an idea of what I'd gotten myself into.

For the first time since I've started my yoga journey, I was so excited that I got up early just so I could do my hour of yoga before work. I've been practicing outside since it has been absolutely beautiful here in the Pacific Northwest the last few weeks, but I decided to stick with the air conditioned basement since it was a new video and it has been quite hot out. That is a choice I'm glad I made.

This video KICKED MY ASS, but in the best possible way. I was still sore from doing the Rejuvenate sequence in the days before, but I powered through and was able to finish. I learned more about my body in that hour than I have in the last three months of yoga. I am not nearly as bendy as I believed myself to be - there were several poses where I couldn't come anywhere near as folded up or as close to the mat as Adriene was. I learned that I still have a long way to go in the strength department as well, especially in my core. I cannot get my legs above my head for donkey kicks or for any kind of preparation for a handstand. I surprised myself by discovering that I'm incredibly intimidated by having my legs both off the ground at the same time, but I will continue to work it until I get there. The cardio sections reminded me that my lungs and heart are still very out of shape - it took all of my self control to stay with my breath during and after those sequences. But I did it.

Today was day two, I decided to stick with the Heart video instead of trying the Strength one that released yesterday. It was more smooth for me today. I was able to hold dancer for the entire time on the second side (does that pose make anyone else feel incredible?!) and keep in better control of my breath during squats and jumping jacks! Today I was more off balance though and by the end of the practice the soles of my feet were aching from attempting to not fall (only once today!).

I am already looking forward to tomorrow, next week, and the week after that (and so on and so forth). My journey has only just begun and I can't wait to see what else is in store for me!

Namaste!