Day Sixteen

Okay, I know there are a lot of people out there (maybe yourself included) that claim they can't do yoga because it hurts their back.  And believe me, even though I may only have had minor lower back pain from sitting at a desk all day, it still bothered me enough to a point where I couldn't entirely relax.  But you don't have to just believe me - there are plenty of people who have shared similar if not more extreme pain only to have their aches improve with yoga.


Today in posture clinic we went through the back strengthening series. That's what I love about yoga!  There are breathing exercises, balancing postures, back strengtheners, and even detoxifying postures! Obviously I'm an advocate for the series, but when I first began to practice at Huntington Beach Hot Yoga, I struggled with each posture, including the back strengthening portion.  I used to dread them like a trip to the dentist or going to the DMV, and even today I am working to find the correct positioning and placement of my body.  


But with practice (discipline!) and an awareness of mind and body, I can honestly say I have progressed.  Here are some pictures from today's clinic (mom, you can see my instructor standing up in the last picture):

  

So even though I clearly despised some of the postures (and believe me I still have a few less "favorites" today), I learned that with patience, good things can come of your determined will, and not just in yoga.


_Peace and Love