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What I Learn by Avoiding My Morning Yoga Practice
An Ode to Devotion & Resistance
Is there something you do every day no matter what? Maybe it’s water your plants, walk your dog, meditate or go to the gym?
You know you are going to do it — because you always do — yet, suddenly you are thinking about how to avoid it.
Right in that spot lives the intersection of devotion and resistance.
I have been doing a morning yoga practice for about 12 years. I do it every day, no matter what. I liken it to brushing my teeth. I do not leave home without getting on the mat. Ever. *one caveat noted — see #9 below
My Practice
My morning practice is about 12 minutes of varied poses. I created it based on poses I loved in yoga classes I have attended over the years. There is a mix of stretching, twists, standing poses, flows and binds. When I learn a new pose or flow in a class, I integrate it in. I recently added a flow movement to my Warrior 2 pose that opens my whole chest.
My yoga routine began in bed. Years back, before I even got out of bed, I would do a series of wind removing poses and stretches with my legs. It felt wonderful. I loved that so much that I added a mat and more poses to my practice.