My challenges with yoga

I technically began my yoga journey in the late 2000s. While on my way to hike Runyon Canyon, I saw a sign for a free/donation-based yoga by the hiking trail entrance, and decided to try it out the next day. That moment led me to add yoga as one of my main seshes. It was a different kind of challenge, and being with nature was a bonus.

Although I fell in love with yoga right away, I didn’t want to commit to a studio yet because of my demanding work hours. Given that I was a freelancer living on my own in LA, I also had to consider my budget. The only time I was able to focus on my wellness was during a hiatus.

One thing I miss about living in the city is the proximity to all the yoga studios. I had the luxury of jumping from one studio to the next, trying out different factions and styles of yoga while admiring the studio ambiance.

If you’re curious, below are my faves in the city. On occasion, I still stop by or attend their events, even if they’re not yoga-related.

• Runyon Canyon Yoga – I ❤️ that it’s still going strong since 1999.
• Yogazan (formerly yogaraj)
• Laughing Frog Yoga

Yogazan had a half-day retreat where we created vision boards and made personalized intention bracelets.

I still wear my intention bracelet to this day. It’s my friendly reminder to focus on self-care.

Laughing Frog Yoga hosts goat and puppy yoga. Fair warning, friends. Since animals are involved, the following may or may not happen:

• The goat might think your hair is its snack. Yes, a baby goat thought my hair bun was grass and chewed on it!
• The goats can pee or defecate on you or your mat. The puppies can leave dirt with their paw prints, too. If the studio offers a rental mat, get it.
• Puppies will lick your feet, hands, and run under you while you’re in a plank hold. If you’re ticklish, try to hold it so you don’t accidentally hurt yourself and the puppies.

Like most who love having a routine, the pandemic forced us to pause that routine for a few years. That pause was another challenge as I had to figure out a way to return to my mat and stay motivated. Yoga with Adriene and FitOn became my go-tos.

What I loved about Yoga with Adriene (YWA) is that it’s easy to follow; her videos are organized depending on what you want to work on that day. She has a sense of humor. Plus, her dog Benji always made an appearance. I have yet to try it, but she now has her own app called Find What Feels Good (FWFG).

FitOn is an app with a variety of workouts to choose from, such as HIIT, Pilates, yoga sculpt, and strength. You name it, they have it. They partnered with Yoga 6, which opened a studio near me and is now my current home studio.

I’m grateful I found YGA and FitOn, but as things started easing up, I realized how much I miss the atmosphere of being in a studio. If you’ve read my previous posts, I feed off other people’s energy in the room, especially when it comes to my workouts. Another advantage of being in a studio is that the instructor can correct your posture for safer practice.

Another challenge that I had before committing to yoga again was my injuries. The memes that you see online about being in your elder-millennial years are funny, but, sadly, some are true to a degree.

I started with just doing restore classes at Y6, which “focuses on recovery and relaxation.” The other studios might call it yin, but check the website of the studio you’re eyeing for their descriptions.

This leads me to share my last challenge – my mental state to return to my yoga practice after all these setbacks. Previously, my focus was on trying out different kinds of yoga classes and studios. Now, it’s convincing myself to get back on the mat knowing full well that if I commit to it, not only will it make me feel better, and my body will follow. I had to stop comparing my current self to my old self. My old self had no fear of signing up for inversion classes and trying out what I learned. My current self is now focused on correct posture, strength buildup, and a good stretch…maybe even a quick nap during savasana.

After a few months of acclimating my body to movement and following my physical therapist’s advice, I was able to attend Slow Flow, a slower Vinyaza class. And after a few months, I’m now able to participate in Yoga TRX class where you use suspension trainers.

We all have different sesh journeys. It may turn out you need to get through a few hurdles like me, figuring out time, location, likes/dislikes, costs, health issues, etc. But once you find that motivation, I hope you listen and act on it.

Happy yoga sesh, friends! Stay active!