What Yoga has Taught Me

A few months ago, I was doing yoga daily in my home and feeling great.  Then things changed and I dropped it.  A couple weeks ago, I started up again.  Much to my surprise, I wasn't fleixble anymore!  Even the basic moves were hard.  I couldn't touch my toes or hold downdog or plank for nearly as long. For the first week of starting again, I detested doing it, though I kept it up because I knew it was good for me.  As of a couple days ago, I let the yoga run it, instead of me trying to meet a quota of moves to do and seconds to hold it.  I focused on how each move made me feel and listened to my body responding to yoga.  I felt the stress wash away and flexibility enter.  I was too focused on moving, that I lost sight of actual yoga.  I've found a pretty decent routine that I can handle.  I want to be more of a pro at these before moving on.  The routine may change based on how each muscle feels or the time I have (e.g. going into the office and having 5-10 minutes).

• Half moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana)
• Standing forward bend (uttanasana)
• Awkward pose (Uksatasana)
• Eagle pose (Garutasana)
• Standing Head to Knee (Dandayamana Janushirasana)
• Standing Bow Pulling pose (Dandayamana Dhanurasana)
• Balancing Stick pose (Tuladandsana)
• Tree pose (Tadasana)
• Lunge (utthita ashwa sanchalanasana)
• Warrior II (Virabhadasana II)
• Modified Side Angle (parsvakonasana)
• Triangle pose (Trikonasana)
• Low warrior (Ardha Virabhadasana)
• Warrior III (Virbhadrasana)
• Table (Svanasana)
• Cat (Marjariasana)
• Cow (Bitilasana)
• Sunbird (Chakravakasana)
• Child pose (garbhasana)
• Plank (Phalakasana)
• Downward Dog (Adha Mukha Svanasasana)
• Half downward dog
• Upward Dog
• Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
• Full Locust Pose (Pooma Salabhasana)
• Fixed Firm pose (Supta Vajrasana)
• Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
• Spine Twisting pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
• Breath of Fire (Kapalbhati Breathing)

Wow, looks like a lot more written down than it feels.  I try to be as fluid as possible with the moves and switching to a different one.  I feel refreshed once I've completed.

Home Office workout

Using a yoga ball as an office chair is pretty cool.  I move around a lot more, my back is straighter, and, let's be honest, it's way more fun.  I still have my nice office chair in here, but I'm trying to use the ball for at least half of the day.  I put a cushion under it so that I could still maintain an ergonomic workspace.  I use an ergonomic keyboard, wireless mouse, and dual screens that are directly at my eye level.  I get a lot of natural light and have plenty of space for 5 minute yoga breaks. :)  Definitely a better work environment than the dark cube farm at work!  I may work longer hours at home, but I certainly don't mind it!  Plus, the cat and dog have chairs to sleep on in here.