Yoga is like running, in terms of endurance, but more stationary. Sometimes it's just as grueling, but in a, “Can my body really do that for a full 50 seconds without giving up?” sort of way. It’s been a test of mind over physical pain and determination against all odds. I do yoga daily to make sure I don't lose flexibility and to maintain the peace of mind yoga can bring.
Yoga is very good for flexibility and strength, which can supplement running and other cardio. Doing yoga everyday can put you into a nice state of mind that can get you going for the week. The clarity and focus I gain from only a half hour of yoga is amazing, and I hope to inspire others incorporate this routine into their daily lives. It helps me think about the rest of my day constructively, instead of feeling overwhelmed about all I have to do. It improves strength and focus and gets the blood flowing. It's so often the case we sit down for most of the day and even for the busiest people, just 20 minutes of yoga a day can improve your whole week.
Body awareness and posture are important to me because when my core is strengthened, everything else follows and gains strength as well. It suits every skill level and body type, and daily yoga practice, including modified poses, gives you a clear goal to strive for. Yoga can be enjoyed in solitude, as well as in the company of friends. As with running, I find it passes the time quicker if you have someone to practice the more difficult poses with. (They can also tell you if you're doing the pose wrong, which I'm often guilty of!)
One thing I'd love to try is yoga backpacking, where you can get a beautiful view and benefits of sun and gorgeous weather, all while practicing yoga. Of course I think it's more challenging doing yoga on a rough surface, like the top of a mountain, but makes yoga backpacking all the more adventurous and exciting. The progress I've made in just half a year of daily yoga has been incredible and it’s an experience I think everyone should try. The feeling I get from being able to do dancer pose with stability is even greater than the one I got after having run three miles everyday for four weeks; one of pride in my improvements and accomplishment at having achieved a long-term goal.
While it sounds slightly ridiculous that someone's life could be so drastically changed by a single 30 minute change to their schedule, it's not far-fetched, in that a quick and mindful addition to your day is proven to make all the difference, even if it's not terribly time consuming or physically taxing.
