Really excited about this YWA journey. It’s my 4th year of doing these, but it’s Adrienne’s 10th! Big special anniversary edition!
I’ll be posting a weekly header post for the Yoga with Adriene’s 30-day FLOW series as a place where we can share any thoughts we might have about the joys or struggles on this journey. A sort of ‘our very own YWA FLOW Club’.
(Of course, feel free to also post in the main channel, whatever feels good! 😉)
Remembering back over the four years, for me, at the first one, I was excited like a kid! Everything was a new experience, and I was amazed by the ability of my body to adapt to what I was asking it to do.
The second year, I was doing the journey whilst being on the runner’s injury couch, as my foot (metatarsals) was still giving me some grief. But by then, I knew how flexible these sessions were, and I could amend away and relax into them.
Third year, I felt a bit more like a Yogi-Young Adult. I knew most of the positions by name, I could do most of the easy to intermediate poses although the advanced poses like fish or crow are still far away out of reach. But regular yoga was a thing for me, and when I didn’t do my Yoga, I felt the need for a good stretch.
This year, I’ve not done much yoga, I have to admit. Rather weights, stretches, and all sorts of other practices. But it’s been there for me whenever I needed it. A crucial part in my fitness/health toolbox. So this year, this journey will be a return to a daily yoga practice.
So upwards and onwards with YWA’s FLOW, and feel free to share your joys and struggles by reply!
And although as I write this in the early hours of the first day of 2024, there is no playlist set up yet, the introductory video is already available:
Thanks for this! My back and in particular my shoulder means I can't do all the positions, but I have signed up to boost the start of 2024. I do love Adrienne!
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold in reply to Gthants
Just done the first day. I have trouble with maintaining the plank and with moving from one position to another but I've ended this first day feeling good, I think as a result of giving myself permission to do what I can! Glad to be back!
Yes, just do what you can! It is totally fine to collapse in a heap and get into the next shape fresh, rather than doing the smooth transition Adriene is doing. That's often what I do!
I have just done Day 1. I really liked it. Precious years I've noticed on day 1 she spent absolutely ages in downward dog - trying to explain all the intricacies. Thankfully wasn't the case today!
I really enjoyed the flossing thing from the lunge, and also the twist but taking the free arm in a circle. Both of those were new to me. Am feeling good now and excited about this journey!
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold in reply to Fiadh79
Fab! Yeah, at least down dog I can do. Planks however …. 😂🥹
I also just finished this 25 min session from day 1. I have not done a lot of yoga since the last 30-day journey, and I can tell my knees have become more sensitive again. So adapted with extra padding under my knees. Down dog is easy for me (my Tibetan Rites practice helps), but am back to half planks with knees down.
Day 1 done. I always find it fascinating how we all find different things difficult. For me it was the start the bending forwards from cross legged position.. not comfortable.I do a regular live yoga class but YWA is quite different and I think I'm going to notice that it's been a while since I've practiced with her 😉
Yeah, I have found I lost flexibility in certain parts of the body since the last 30-day journey, and maintained it in others. Just shows how complex our bodies actually are.
I did day 1 earlier and wrote a post....I'm skipping anything on knees, last time I did yoga I hurt them too much, I tried a cushion today but nope, can't kneel. There seemed a lot with weight on shoulders, the planks were alright though but my shoulders did feel it.
Yeah, I’m with you on the knees, which are my greatest weakness, I feel. I need extra blankets even for tabletop. But I do know mine get better and become less sensitive the more I do YWA so I’m hoping for the same this year.
I hope yours get better with YWA, Im not risking mine, they are happy with squats, running and walking, but kneel on them and they hurt like mad and I did the YWA a couple years ago and kept at it until they got so bad I could barely walk, there was some damage that kept me from running for weeks, I'm not risking that again, so will skip the kneeling parts
Oh wow - sounds bad. Glad you're still here to participate even though you'll be amending. A lot of the time I think people should amend more so you're doing well!
As a fairly long time Adriene fan - 6 years - I was disappointed in myself to have slipped off the yoga wagon last year, like lots of us it seems. I’ve always maintained yoga has helped keep me injury free with my running, as it definitely builds strength and stability, so getting back to it is a no brainer. 💪
I loved Day 1 (about to do Day 2), and even though I was creakier than I know I should be, all felt good. She does chat, and I do ‘have words’ when she’s going on and on whilst leaving us in a tricky pose, but that’s goofy Adriene! 😅 Happy to see Benji too of course. 🥰
I have been doing almost daily yoga for just over a year (fallen off the wagon a little recently - I've often just chosen from the under 10 minutes playlist). And like you I feel like it really helps with preventing injuries. And of course Benji is amazing!
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold in reply to Fiadh79
Yeah, Benji is cute. Have you seen his animated box breathing explainer video? 🤣🤣(so cute)
“Creakier” is a fitting word also for I felt starting yoga again after a pause. But also love starting again. Thanks for being part of the collective mat team!
Im back on the mat too, having had to avoid most moves since my burst Bakers cyst in my right knee in October. I can kneel again now, and am hoping childs pose will be comfortable which crops up in today (day 2) I hear.
I think this 30 day build will be the best way back from my injury. My calf is still tight so hoping this eases it a little and I can begin c25k again.
Fingers crossed! I just finished day 2, and yes I amended a couple of things but also found it easier than yesterday.
Hubby joined me second day around, so it’s a husband and wife team here, taking to the mat. He’s more lean but less flexible, I’m more flexible but less lean. 😄 (we always say, if we could morph into one being, we would be ideal in most human traits as we complement each other so much ! 😉)
Just done day 2. Still find that moving from one pose to the other is sometimes difficult but it's doable. Probably looks clumsy but with luck it will get less so!
I'm back on the mat too. It's my 4th year of YWA. It really helps my running, balance, core strength and flexibility - when I do it, that is! 😂I hoping to complete every day in January then if I can do 3 sessions a week for the rest of the year I'll be absolutely delighted.
I loved day 2! I don't know if I'll ever not be wobbly when I transition to crescent lunge, or when doing the core work on all 4s. But falling over is half the fun!
I sometimes use both the TV and the laptop when I'm doing YWA, I have the laptop at the other end of the room to the TV. It saves me falling over when looking over my shoulder or under my arm to watch Adriene! 😂
What a great idea! I did indeed have to continually look over my shoulder, as we are also having to fit two mats in front of the TV, and our hands during the pointing dog pose sometimes clash! But all fun! 😃
I might try this out one day with an iPad. It should be easy enough… theoretically.
But love the simplicity at the moment.. We have everything waiting ready to be rolled out and set up, just needs rolling out our mats, grab the props from shelves, switch on TV plus PlayStation, and head to YouTube. It comes up automatically now with YWA channel.
So it feels like we need one minute to go to our own personal gym! 😀😀😀
Day 2 is in the bag! Did it with hubby, and we both found it easier than yesterday.
I still have my knee oriented props with blanket, knee pads (they really work extremely well) and blocks. (See pic)
I did have to switch my old mat (which will now live upstairs beside my rower, where the new one used to be, in our guest bed room) with my new mat (seen on pic, now in our living room workout corner ), which has less padding but does not slide when I use blocks for planks or down dogs. It feels much safer.
I’m the total odd one out here not doing Yoga with Adriene 🙈😂 OddballMaz! Yup! That’s me 😂😂 I’m doing Yoga with Tim’s 30 day January challenge and did day 3 today.
I got myself yoga blocks as a wee pressie, from me to me, and they arrived before I went to B’s for 10 days so I took them with me…I love them so much! Best things ever! Next on my list is a yoga strap 🧘♀️
Day 3 in the bag. Plank transitions leave much to be desired, as does my squatting and first I mistook warrior 1 for 2, but other than that, I really enjoy how slow and gentle she is taking us through these.
Just done day 4. Might be very very slightly better at some of the transitions, principally because I've got a better idea of what's coming. Still a lot I can't do. Can other people keep up downward dog for as long as she does or move down into cobra or is it just me? I realise I have very tight calves and hamstrings so am hoping a whole month of this will help with that. Always end feeling good so that is keeping me going!
she does go a bit fast for me and the plank and move left foot forward bit is a bit tough for me with the hands down so i have to stand up to get into that position but yes completed day 4 and loved it ....somehow i prefer this years challenge,,,maybe because i am stronger as did some tibetan rites last year and moved boxes of books this week....I love it its my 2nd year and its brilliant thank you for the link CBDB
I have to stand up too! Glad it's not just me. I'm focusing on taking satisfaction from what I can do. Last year I got so fed up with what I couldn't do I gave up so this year I'm determined to find pleasure in it. Going OK so far!
I think what positions can challenge us is all so different.
I use blocks on their lowest height for down dogs, and that makes it really comfortable and with them, it’s a resting position for me. This finally, after 4 years of yoga.
I tell myself I need the blocks because I have a really short upper body but long legs, so down dog without blocks feels awkward. But it might also be just lack of strength. But using the blocks in Yoga has made Yoga much more enjoyable for me.
Cobra and lying on my stomach, or any core work is really difficult for me, as I have a split linear alba (stomach fascia unrepairably torn due to a pregnancy, all connected to an at the time undiagnosed hypothyroidism) . So cobra feels painful and I avoid them but try here and there whilst being careful about my core. From cobra to down dog I just about manage but it is extra hard. It feels like lifting a really heavy weight.
Thanks for such a detailed reply! Interestingly I too have a short body and long legs which might account for some of my clumsiness. Of course, I could just be clumsy! I haven't really tried using blocks although I do have some. Perhaps I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Yes, the blocks really helped me. Just make sure you have a mat and a set of blocks that do not slip over each other. I had to change my mat to find one which is sticky enough to give my blocks a really safe grip.
Having said that, my first mat also made my hands slip. So finding a good mat where your hands and blocks do not slip made a huge difference to my practice.
Day 4 done! I did this one upstairs in the guest bedroom, as my indoor rower is there and I had just done a 30 min session. So it was great to do the yoga as an additional post-row stretch.
In the end, put my mat aside, as it was too slide for my socks and blocks, and just did the session in the carpet with a pillow for knees.
I like the focus on spine!
There were a few poses that I simplified a bit (mountain climbers I did on all fours rather than down dog), but did she forget to do the other side in one of the sequences?
I thought she forgot the right side too. I considered repeating the sequence on the right side, so both sides were treated the same. I enjoyed the faster pace, although I'm still very wobbly.
I did day 3 last thing yesterday, and day 4 earlier today. I am enjoying it a lot. But I'm not sure this year is as accessible for people new to yoga. I don't know. At the same time, and contradicting what I just said, it feels quite easy so far. Of course it's not long till day 6!
I heard that this is going to be the last 30 day series. Of course I respect that Adriene has to make the right choir for her, and she's done all this for free, but I am a bit sad about it! At least all the videos will be on YouTube.
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold in reply to Fiadh79
Oh no! I didn’t realise! I’m even more glad to have committed to this one, then!
Thanks to being woken up by my dog wanting to pee I actually made it to the 6am premier.... yay😊 There's something wonderful about seeing people from literally all over the world arriving on the mat. It was a fairly gentle way to start the day. In fact I could have done with more movement as my heating hadn't come on 😂Happy Saturday
Our heating had just been fixed yesterday, and it’s sooooo nice to have heating through the whole house again! (Upstairs bedroom and family bathroom heating didn’t work for ca several months since we got workmen in to replace our broken gas boiler with a air source heat pump… they finally, after much pestering, returned yesterday and fixed it)
Day 5 done. I found this one much easier, principally I think because of the absence of planks and downward dogs! Nice gentle start to the day. Now to layer up in preparation for going to watch oldest grandson play rugby. It may be chilly but so so hoping it will be dry!
Oh thank goodness for no planks! I shall look forward to this tonight! I find that I can’t get down to planks…but can come up from cobra ok!
My bugbears are the lunges…putting the weight forward on the front knee…I’m very wobbly. Also find it hard to get into a ‘comfortable’ seat, much prefer to start seated.
On the other hand…ok with down dogs, forward bends and child’s pose 😊
Day 5 done. I fear I yoga-cheated on hubby! I did the session alone after an intensive rowing session, whilst hubby was out on some visits.
Loved this one. And the focus on twists and spine was great!
Things I struggled with: squatting. (I stopped being able to do squats ever since my last pregnancy, and I never got back to my former, squattable self)
And the bowing hands pose, where you do a forward fold with hands clasped behind you and then lifting into air, my hands are just about 5cm away from my back. So yeah, pretty inflexible.
My Amendments: in the thread-the-needle pose I use a block to lay my head on, basically lifting the floor a bit more towards my head.
But liked the ones like these that start with some breathing exercises.
This is brilliant i can't squat either I have a picture in my brain that if I ever copied Adrienne I would be stuck in that position for ever... I am doing as much as I can... I don't think it looks good at all...
I would never in a million years be able to squat with my feet flat on the floor and my forward folds require very bent knees but like you,I do what I can!!
I’m grateful to midwifery for my squatting abilities 😉
…but it also managed to knacker my knees somewhat, so I tend to bend over now and not squat down when gardening…and guess what, I’m very good at forward folds!
….lunges though…yuck!
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold in reply to LottieMW
it was hard omg definitely need to do core more often but today didnt enjoy maybe one day I may agree with Adrienne that core work is fantastic...😊very hard but worth joining in day 6
I enjoyed this Day 6, and I have to admit I didn’t find it as hard as previous years. Having said that. I’ve always enjoyed core work, but having not done any for a good while, I was a bit nervous about today. I needn’t have worried. 🙏 My upper body is what needs work ….. so if Adriene brings out the push-ups and chaturangas I’ll be in trouble. 😨
Day 6 with hubby! We yoga-ed after my rowing session and a morning shower, arriving fresh to the mat all laid out in our living room workout corner with lovely underfloor heating, which made for a cozy yoga. (Until our arrival in this house , there was no heating in this part of the house. And doing yoga in the living room, it reminded me on how glad we are in choosing an underfloor system for the living areas, even though at the time I didn’t even consider Yoga a possibility!)
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