September not only boasts the 30 Days of Self-Love here on Faith, Fitness, Fun, but also the celebration of yoga. It’s Yoga Month! You can even get FREE classes so check out www.yogamonth.org!

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I took part in some yoga today, just as I do every Friday. I even went out of my way today. Normally I go to the basic yoga class at my gym, but M wouldn’t allow it today. I got through 20 minutes of the class before I felt a tap tap tap on my shoulder. Someone had a bit of a ‘tude problem today and didn’t want to hang out in the childcare. I had to pack up my mat and head home with her. I wouldn’t allow that to stop me from downward dogging it! Thank goodness for resources like yogadownload.com. I tacked on another 20 minutes of free yoga with Baptiste Power Flow Yoga #3.

May not have been ideal, but it worked. It felt so nice to stretch out my legs and lower back. My lower back needs all the help it can get with the growing bump.

I admit that I found myself scrounging around for yoga options interesting. 6 months ago I would have scoffed at even taking the time to try yoga. I finally gave in and can no longer debate its benefits. It has only affirmed many of the things I believe and opened my horizons to new views of fitness.

You don’t have to sweat buckets to have a good workout. After my first class, I hurt! Holding moves and supporting your body weight definitely provide a challenge. I remember having to hold a deep chair pose for an interminable amount of time my first class. Talk about leg strength.

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It really does stretch you out and improve other areas of fitness. My hamstrings always get tight. It annoys me greatly, yet nothing ever seemed to work. Until yoga. I still have a ways to go in flexibility, but I can notice a marked improvement since I took that first class. I also don’t have to deal with soreness all the time and have it affect my other workouts.

It revitalizes energy and positivity. I can’t imagine leaving yoga class feeling worse than when I came. I always end with a big smile on my face and a pure feeling of empowerment. Perhaps it lies in the extra time to reflect peacefully or really feeling the strength in my body. I don’t know for certain what yoga does, but it’s something magical that’s for certain.

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Yoga draws me out of my comfort zone, which strengthens me in ways beyond physical fitness. I am not that great at it. I could improve by leaps and bounds, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t have to worry about any of that. My other workouts, when not pregnant, tend to be about pushing myself to new limits and seeing what I can achieve. Yoga, on the other hand, challenges me but at the same time allows me to just be. I know I can use that in my life, so I don’t foresee yoga going anywhere anytime soon.

• Do you like yoga? If you haven’t tried it is there something holding you back?
• What’s something that pushes you out of your comfort zone but helps you in some way?
• I will still be posting the 30 Days messages on Saturday and Sunday so please keep an eye out and participate! They might not post until around 12 noon EST though as I don’t wake up to write on weekend mornings.

Have a great weekend all! For my US counterparts, enjoy the 3 days off and the start of college football! 😀

Are you all out there? Are you getting my posts? Google Reader is irking me a bit right now. Normally, my posts would go straight through to Readers. Now, they disappear into la-la land and the abyss of cyberspace. Thankfully they are still posting here so those of you finding your way to the blog still have something new to read. I appreciate it! Just like I appreciate these ladies for sharing the 30 Days of Self Reflection on their blogs 🙂

• Lauren – Fun, Fit, & Fabulous
• Elizabeth – Eat Clean Fun
• Melinda – Strength for my Journey
• Holly – Couch Potato Athlete
• Holly – The Balance Broad

Nab yourself a button, like you see to the left on my sidebar, to share on your blog or simply learn more about the 30 Days of Self Reflection coming in September HERE!

So, how are you all this fine Friday? I’m doing pretty well. Although I can barely believe Friday came so soon. Like I mentioned in last night’s post, I spent a lot of time working hard on preparing the 30 Days of Self Reflection for this week. I hoped to make it to yoga this week to stretch out some of the tension in my body from traveling, sitting at the computer, and the bundle of nerves and excitement coursing through me.

Low and behold, the husband had to use my car yesterday and today. Not a problem. It just meant it would the perfect time to break out a yoga DVD I picked up.

The yoga schedule at the gym has been difficult for me to get to, so I wanted an at home option to get my stretch on. I decked myself out in stetchy gear. Then baby & I got to posing and stretching. Peter shot the following picture. He didn’t want to get the warrior pose I asked him to because me bending over is apparently more funny. Gotta love him!

Was it a success?? You betcha! I still prefer the class at the gym, but the DVD provided a good workout and many of my favorite poses. I had to adapt a handful of the moves because a) I’m not insane flexible like the hosts and b) my belly gets in the way sometimes. The only complaint I have is that the dude’s voice and tone remind me of Hannibal Lector. Creepy.

Today called for a rest day from formal workouts. I’ve still had my fair share of activity though, including rotating out normal clothes for maternity ones in the closet. Ick. Anyways, this morning I craved some waffle + pb action like I had this past weekend. We don’t have a waffle maker, so I went for the next best thing. Whole wheat waffles dug out from the freezer. They still worked well for this delicious breakfast.

Upon restocking my energy stores for the day, miss M and I headed out for a quick stroll around the hilly neighborhood. I always like to have a conversation with God during my walks. It’s so crazy to me how not that long ago I spent most of that time asking for strength or help related to what I faced at that time. Today I said some prayers for the 30 Days, for guidance on how to better handle the bad friend situation, and for a healthy pregnancy – but always “interrupted” myself by having to simply praise God. I can’t get over how much He does in our lives! On the walk I saw things that caused celebration for the beauty that surrounds us. For the freedoms we have. For the fabulous area in which I live. For simply everything.

The other day, Mama Pea shared a post on how her being vegan, vegetarian, a stay-at-home mother, or any other label you can stick on her isn’t what makes her happy with her life. I related to it so much. We all have the opportunity to be so happy. It simply takes a choice to focus on the positives in our lives. For me, it also helps to not ever forget what God has done for me and the fact I know He will continue to bring great things. Even in crappy times, I can know life will just get bigger and better. That is what brings me joy! And I hope each of you feel it yourselves.

• Have you ever felt that you have to reach a certain goal or become something in order to achieve happiness? I know I have! Namely, a belief that reaching a certain size brought happiness.
• Do you have a favorite at home workout? I love all my DVDs. I will be breaking them out a lot more after the baby comes. Cathe, TurboJam, and hopefully Insanity & TurboFire by then too. 😀