1 month of Yoga

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Its been a month of steady Yoga practice. Its started with a basic premise of doing at least 2 asanas daily, and over time progressed into a 40 minute practice. Up until last week, it was a daily practice, however, as of last week it is easing into practice on alternate days. This has me worried, as its an usual pattern. Start something, get into it with full gusto, then ease up on it and before you know it, its ended.

Why?
At the most basic level, its a lack of excitement. Usually the first few days of exercise leads of a sense of well being, a new found sense of feeling fit, and the excitement of doing something new. Over time, fatigue catches up, the body adapts and the same high is missing, and then the routine becomes a bore.

What (can be done to prevent it)?
This is the key as it determines the eventual success of the plan. The balance lies between having a routine so that one needs not think about what needs to be done but  having a flexibility wherein there is a sense of excitement, learning and achievement with each new session.

How ( or rather now what?)
The idea of at least 2 asana was to ensure that the practice did not stop. Now only 2 asanas seems like a cop out and actually leads to more frustration than not doing anything at all. At the same time completing a 40 min sequence is not leading to any satisfaction. Maybe the trick is now to add in running to the mix.

Lets be honest..
The lack of weight loss is also a factor. How well clothes fit, the weighing scale and also progress in the asanas all add up to a good day / bad day. When I ran regularly, even a 30 sec slower time could lead to the day becoming lousy

Goals..

Run 30 mins twice a week.. monitor the best and worst distance covered
Padmasana by end of May
Touch toes without bending knees by end of June while standing.

Bottom line
Maintain the excitement for exercise and weight loss. There was a core motivation while training for a marathon ( 42 km to be completed) and Quitting Smoking ( Health.. and the desire to prove it to myself), I need to find a core motivation to stick to Yoga.

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