February’s BRIDGE & have a mug!

[CBDB]

Update: Changed pic to bring the virtual celebratory mug back, as I felt we hadn’t celebrated enough the fact that we just did all 30 days of YWA January BREATH!

CONGRATULATIONS! Well done for getting to the mat regularly!!

But what now?

As many of you, I have been pondering on how to continue on the daily Yoga journey that - in my case - I started with the daily challenges of YWA BREATH. So here some thoughts on a way forward and hoping others chip in to see if there is a desire to keep going together on the YWA journey.

I really loved practicing Yoga with a group of virtual yoga buddies, popping into the forum afterwards to hear, learn and share how everyone is moving through various poses ever so slightly differently, making it even more intriguing to continue and try out different nuances. So thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey! And so well done to everyone!

And in my own home, hubby and I have also grown accustomed to getting up early, and having that half hour practice time together, guided by Adriene’s gentle way of leading us through known and unknown explorations of body and mind.

Hubby doesn’t tend to often go onto the forum, so I actually have the delight of having two different workout experiences, one lively digitally connected group experience and one more personal, trusting you-are-here-and-I-am-here kind of experience. On Day 30’s BEGIN hubby and I happily ran through our own poses, then suddenly finding ourselves facing each other in a child’s pose with rotation, laughing how both of us red-faced definitely did not have the saintly, relaxed smile of Adriene on our faces....

But I also want to explore some other ancient and new practices. Im just a too fledgling newbie S&Flexer to be content with just one ancient practice, and maybe some of our newfound VYBs feel the same.

So I wonder if others have similar thoughts and I wonder if more VYBs would do like to see if the following might be a good solution:

- many of us, including hubby and myself, have come to the conclusion that we might want to commit using the YWA monthly calendar in some form or manner. This might look like a daily practice or popping in on some days. So we collectively can support this through this forum and continue to share our experiences and progress. I’ll post a weekly update, this one being the first.

- But I certainly do not want to rule out exploring other gentle practices, such as Tai Chi, Pilates, and similar. So here and there I’ll probably be dropping some 3-5 day, short and easy challenges for exploring a short relaxing additional practice, that interested individuals can do as an additional option, or an alternative. For hubby and me, that will be an evening practice.

So let me know if there are enough interested individuals to keep the momentum going, and I’ll start with this (monthly?) calendar post.

The February YWA Calendar with links to the video is here

s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-sto...

And the whole YWA YouTube list for February is here:

youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

Let’s continue on this wonderful journey.

[Dutch-Fraggle]

Great links thank you for sharing.. I'm also keen to keep up practice and these will be very useful to me a focus

😀🧘‍♀️

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Dutch-Fraggle]

Brill! See you around on the mat!

[LottieMW]

Yes please!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to LottieMW]

Fab, our virtual mat is ready! Had a great start this morning (see below)!

[cheekychipmunks]

I’ll be there! Thanks CBDB, you’ve done a wonderful job this past month at bringing all us yogis together - newbies, experienced ones, and those like me who’ve done Adriene’s videos for a good while but never done any other yoga.

Onto Bridge we go! 😀🧘‍♀️🙏🏻

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank YOU ☺️ 🙏 it’s been great doing it together. Our February mat is ready and bridge is all go! 🌉 👍🏽🧘🏻‍♀️ I had a brill first day, see message below.

[Zip54]

Definitely count me in, I'm a few days behind on completing Breath but have already downloaded the February calendar and would love to have a group of friends to chat with after a session once I get to Bridge.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Zip54]

Brill!! Yes I think many of us will pop in and out more than in the 30 day challenge but still we commit to the mat!

Have fun finishing BREATH! What an achievement! 👏👏👏👏

[annaruns]

Yes! I am keen to do February’s calendar, and a lot of the videos seem shorter so would happily add a second session in here and there

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to annaruns]

Brill! Yes, and I think it’s easier to pop in and out, as there is not as much an overarching 30-day structure. Fab! 👍🏽👏🙏🧘🏻‍♀️

[SueAppleRun]

I always seem to work on 1st of every month but as up at silly o clock we’ve decided to give this month a go, not now but later after work and maybe run first so count us in

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to SueAppleRun]

Brilliant! Our collective mat is ready to welcome February yogis! 👍🏽👏🙌

[Over62]

Hi CBDB. Thank you for posting the links I’ve really enjoyed -Breath - and thought I might take a look at -Bridge- but go back to -Breath- if I need to.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Over62]

Brill, yes BREATH was a great one! See you on the mat, no matter if doing BREATH or BRIDGE! 👏👍🏽🧘🏻‍♀️

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 1: First day of calendar. It was nice to focus everything around one pose. But who is that guy she mentioned? Was it Bred or Larry Ferkin??? 🤨

[linda9389 in reply to CBDB]

I didn't even notice that bit! But you didn't mention cow legs!!! I noted she'd skipped them in Breath (possibly because it is pretty much impossible to breath in that position) but here they were! 😨

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to linda9389]

Yeah... I was too confused at cowlegs for them to imprint in my mind 🤣🤣

[linda9389 in reply to CBDB]

😅 They hurt!!! Even an approximation hurts my legs ...

[annaruns in reply to CBDB]

Missed that reference as well! But pleased with myself for managing all the poses (even a slightly mangled cow), and when she suggested harder modifications I did them with ease! Hooray for getting stronger and bendier.

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Ha! I heard the name...went back and replayed it... “Cue Kendrick Lamar”...an American rapper, apparently. No idea what the reference was for 🤷🏻‍♀️

Anyway...did this last night. Used my pillow for the one knee lunges (my nightmare)...and a little wobbly at times.

Managed dolphin pose just about...

Found out that I am a bit of a contortionist...loved the sitting twists and cow legs...kept that foot on the floor...and was able to breathe and bend forward too ☺️

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to LottieMW]

Nice! Yes, I also still have 2 blankets ready for various moves on my knees ... 👍🏽👏

[linda9389]

I'll be doing Bridge. I also have a couple of pilates classes each week via Zoom (one live, one recorded) so not sure I will be able to commit to anything else at the moment. Having said that I'm really interested so will definitely keep an eye on anything else you post - it's good to try something different every now and again.Thanks for pulling all this together - it was great being part of such an active group during Breath .

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to linda9389]

Sounds brilliant and yes, pop in whenever you feel like! The virtual mat seems here to stay thanks to all of us! 👍🏽👏🙏

[cheekychipmunks]

Bridge Day 1 done ✅ It was perfect after my run. 🧘‍♀️🙏🏻

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes, it felt more focussed and I liked that!

[Dutch-Fraggle in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Snap did the same after a run.. was nice extra stretch..

[cheekychipmunks in reply to Dutch-Fraggle]

Great stuff D-F! I usually use yoga as my post-run stretch, it’s lovely. 😀

[Littleoyellow]

Bridge looks GREAT but I think it's going to take me the rest of 2021 to conquer Breath! I haven't had a great January but am trying to raise my game with extra pilates 🤸‍♀️ and am going to determinedly chip away at the yoga on occasional evenings. Still trying....

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Littleoyellow]

Well, it sounds like you already have raised your game, especially if the start of the year was challenging! Well done! 👏👏👏👏

Wether you do BREATH or BRIDGE or other S&F, our virtual mats are here whenever you want to pop in! Chip away! 🧘🏻‍♀️👍🏽💪

[Littleoyellow in reply to CBDB]

Thank you for the much appreciated encouragement!😁👍onward and upward (and every other which way with Adrienne 😂🧘‍♀️

[Hidden]

Hi CBDB. Wasn't Adriene's Breath yoga wonderful. I have to catch up on the last one, and have regular Pilates via Zoom, but will definitely be joining you for Bridge when I can. 🧘🏼‍♀️

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Hidden]

It was!!! Somehow BRIDGE almost came too fast to indulge in celebrating our achievements in BREATH, but yessss, it was sssooo nice!!! And wow, we did well!!!!! 👏👏👏🙌🙌

[cheekychipmunks in reply to Hidden]

It was her best yet I think Delly, and I’ve done them all. Definitely a slow burner, as she’d hinted at. I’ll do it again later in the year. 😀🧘‍♀️🙏🏻

[TailChaser]

The calendar is really useful and it’s fantastic to see you carrying on. I’ve been using them for about a year. I used to just pick and choose videos but then it’s too easy just to stick to what you know. For example, I wouldn’t have done today’s. Cow Legs. I hate Cow Legs. I do not have the legs or the hips for them! But I give it a go and swear a lot. Took me long enough to be able to do the Spinal Twist! The rest of the Peaceful Warrior video is lovely though 💕

[cheekychipmunks in reply to TailChaser]

How the heck anyone can fold forward in cow legs like Adriene does evades me TC! I can sit up and grab my feet and that’s really about it! 😅

[TailChaser in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That's still very impressive cheeky. I can't sit up, I sort of wobble around like a Weeble and it feels really uncomfortable. As she says, she took years to be able to do it...and she's only 36 now so she's had a bit of a head-start apart from having legs that are the polar opposite of mine 🤣

[cheekychipmunks in reply to TailChaser]

I often imagine myself looking like Adriene when I’m in a pose, then quickly realise that’s never been true, even when I was 36! 🤣

[TailChaser in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know that feeling 🤣🤣

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🤣🤣 yes, im still thinking of her relaxed smile whereas me and hubby looked at each other mid pose, faces red, sinews stretched and really not looking relaxed! 👍🏽🤣But... loving it!

[cheekychipmunks in reply to CBDB]

And how on earth she talks seemlessly during some of the strenuous transitions and poses is something else, all whilst looking lovely! I know what you mean about the expressions we make CBDB! 🤣

[linda9389 in reply to TailChaser]

You have enough breath to swear???? In cow legs????????

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to linda9389]

🤣🤣

[Maddee_6333]

I shall be slowly working my way through the rest of Breath. 👍

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Maddee_6333]

Well done! Let us know how it’s going, there are quite a few of us mixing BRIDGE with BREATH.

[Maddee_6333 in reply to CBDB]

Will do 👍

[dijep 30D Graduate]

Yay 😊 just done day 1 of Bridge and as you say its good to concentrate on one pose. I'm really enjoying doing my practice after my late afternoon dog walk, curtains drawn, candles lit... lovely 😍Not sure what I'm so as the days get longer 😂

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to dijep]

👏👍🏽🕯

[TailChaser]

By the way, whilst I remember...I've just had the March issue of Runners World drop through my door. It's got an article on the 14 best yoga postures for runners - we do a lot of them with Adriene 👍

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to TailChaser]

Nice!

[cheekychipmunks in reply to TailChaser]

Yesss! 👊🙏🏻

[Slinkymalinki]

I will definitely be popping in! Breath has been fantastic for me and February's offerings look just as interesting. I have been researching a new yoga mat as mine's very old & too short and maybe a brick or two (so I can stop using language dictionaries 🤣!) I've never really thought about Tai chi but it would be interesting to explore this too. You have brought together a lovely new community of caring souls at a much needed time, thank you! 🙏

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 2: A short 11 min session to wake you up. A bit difficult for people with sensitive knees as you stay on those knees for quite some time and also turn on those knees with all body weight on them 😱. Had to adapt half warrior pose. But I could do the planks for the whole time this time around, so ... progress!

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Thanks for the warning...I was thinking “oh good...11 minutes” 😂

[LottieMW in reply to LottieMW]

So...not too bad, especially forewarned and armed with my pillow 😄

As it was so short, (and meant to be a ‘wakeup’ session), I followed it with my fave 20 minute bedtime practice 😴

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 3: A lovely 10 min for Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back! Short and easy, peeezy, lemon squeezy!

Hubby had difficulties reaching with hand over his head to other ear, due to shoulder injury, and the only thing I left out was the lifting of one knee on the all fours with rotation.

But oh, my back and neck feel great for getting into the day!

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Ooo...can’t wait to try this ☺️

[cheekychipmunks in reply to CBDB]

Lovely yummy short practice. 🙏🏻🥰

[dijep 30D Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I felt I needed more after the last 2 really short sessions so I redid "Burn" and managed low boat without sinking to many times 😂

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to dijep]

🚣‍♀️ 👍🏽🙌

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Enjoyed this...and followed up with her 10 minute bedtime as I really needed to unwind...

[Blackberrypie]

Hello HUYogis. Last night was day 2 of Yoga Camp which was 50 minutes. However, I had just been for an intervals run and every time Adriene said, "listen to your body" mine was saying "that's enough, please can we stop now?" So I decided that halfway was probably enough for one evening! Hoping to finish the rest tomorrow.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to Blackberrypie]

Nice! Definitely listen to your body! And wow 50 minutes! 😱 you could fit 5 of the sessions I did this morning in there!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 4: I still have to do this session this evening, as very early and busy work day! But am curious about Yoga for the hands!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to CBDB]

Did it! First evening practice in 2021, right after dinner so luckily there were only two downward dogs and a lot of hand-ky-panky with the hands! 👋🏽🙋‍♀️🤭🙏🙋🤘🤙🤝🤞🏽👊🏼👈✊🤚🖖🏻💁‍♀️🖐🤏🤌👇💁

[annaruns in reply to CBDB]

Did this one in the evening too. Wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy it, but as always, Adriene surprised me. Think next month I might do one of the old 30 day videos but will see how I go with Bridge for now!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to annaruns]

Yeah, what i like about the monthly calendar (so far) is that she does take it a bit easy on us. That was the right thing for me at the moment. It might get more intense as the months comes to a close... we’ll see.

[linda9389 in reply to CBDB]

I do hope she's going to pick it up a bit. Last night I found very boring. Come on Adriene! Mix it up a bit please - throw in some broader sessions between the specifics! This is a very odd start to a ywa caalendar month.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to linda9389]

🤣🤣I thought “Great!” If it continues like this it will be easy to do another practice (Pilates, tai chi?) o top of the daily yoga. So I am hoping it’ll stay like this! So what do you think are the chances that it will? Or is it a practice arc intensifying as we progress through the mobth?

[linda9389 in reply to CBDB]

I don't mind short - but I do prefer interesting! Not sure I've ever spotted a pattern before CBDB. Maybe Breath was just particularly good ... Not sure, but I'm sure there will be one for me to enjoy very soon 😊

[dijep 30D Graduate in reply to linda9389]

I've never done one of her monthly calendar things and I have to agree I'm not impressed with the mix. So far I'm wishing I'd chosen one of her previous 30day plans.😕

[linda9389 in reply to dijep]

I'm sure there will be more interesting stuff to come 😊

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Gosh...I found my palms ached when I tried dialling the hands round during table top position. Previously had no problems. Obviously not been doing it right. Interesting to see how hands should be placed for downward dog.

My hands were stiff after...but they are arthritic. Similarly my shoulders ached Thursday after Wednesday night’s practice...my knees were happy though 😂

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 5: Yoga for lower back and hamstring. Sounds good and sounds like down dog will feature plenty. I am forewarned!

I will be doing this one in the evening as well.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to CBDB]

So who‘s done day 5 of BRIDGE? I’ve just finished, and... no down dog!!! And lots of floor stretches which I’m good at! So big thumbs up for me!

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

I’m about to do this after the news, before bed. Ran 5km today, so looking forward to extra stretches 😄

[annaruns in reply to CBDB]

Just did it, and very yummy! Just what I needed before my long run tomorrow. My hamstrings are always tight.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to annaruns]

Leg flexibility I’m not bad at, so it was one session where I felt I could smile angelic 😇, whilst hubby had a strained red face 👹holding his toe! 🤣

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

Really enjoyed this but then I’ve got pretty stretchy hamstrings ☺️

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to LottieMW]

Yes, it’s great how when you do YWA every day, there are days where you feel you’ve managed every pose and transition ... and then there are others...

[LottieMW in reply to CBDB]

True 😂

I practice before bed...so it’s when I get up the next morning that I get my body’s feedback 😬

[dijep 30D Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I couldn't find this thread for some reason so haven't posted for a couple of days.Well at least this session was a bit longer and I liked some of the positions but I didn't find them particularly challenging.

I'm still disappointed with how it's going so far I feel the extra strength /flexibility gained through the 30 day will soon have disappeared!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to dijep]

Yes, I probably confused people as stupidly decided to change the title and image.

The current month is easier, although today was a quite intensive session with some new poses and transitions. Not sure if you tried today’s session.

Tomorrow’s supposed to drop a brand new one, so we’ll see.

[dijep 30D Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Oh that explains it I thought it was me! 😂

I've still got today's to do but it sounds a better with some different stuff 🤞I've revisiting some of my favourite Breath sessions so I feel I've done the work as Adriene would say 😊

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

BRIDGE Day 6: How to shift perspective. I am about to do this one, hoping it will be about balancing both sides. I could use that. I will afterwards add day 1 of Tai Chi (shifting my perspective to tai) as posted here: healthunlocked.com/strength...

Happy yoga-ching-ing through the weekend!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to CBDB]

Ok, so there was some balance in there 👍🏽, mountain poses 👍🏽, down dogs 🤞🏽, and planks👇, some little planky dipping and rolling from side to side 😬🤏 ... yes, I should have known it would be a bit harder... the warnings were there as she had her hair up! 🙀

Now she did talk a lot about ‘spicing it up’, so I do wonder if this video was originally called that? 🤣🤣

[dijep 30D Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Yay this was better 😊👍😊

[annaruns in reply to CBDB]

Yes this one was more of what I’m craving. Though coupled with my long run today, I think I may have aggravated my old plantar fasciitis. 😩 I really enjoyed the heat though!

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to annaruns]

Oh no! Keep those feet healthy, we still need them. 🦶