Since returning from Kripalu I have a fresh, renewed appreciation for how good my body feels after doing yoga. I will aim for a daily routine.

So far I'm doing well. The weather is cooperating so I did about an hour of yoga each morning on my back porch in the sun. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, and I feel so much better!

My leg muscles are fairly tight right now - I can barely go back into a hurdler's stretch - so that is something I'm working on.

I did a flow practice with all types of sun salutations last Friday. Monday I did a chakra yoga practice with tons of emphasis on earth, air, heart (root, navel, heart).

Yesterday I got to practice with a client. We did seated poses to open up the hips at the very end of her workout. About 10 min. I had worked out earlier in the day so this felt really good.

I've tried practicing daily but have found that my body needs other types of exercise to stay happy, burn fat, build strength, boost endurance, and be healthy.

I've settled into 3 x a week practice and that seems to works for me.

I've done about an hour of yoga each morning and today I also did my hour class in the afternoon which I have once a week. So I think I had two hours today! My spine is already feeling much better, and I'm doing better with my hurdler's stretch. I'm always surprised how quickly yoga can help out.

Monica - I agree that I don't think of yoga as a "replacement" for running or walking or aerobic - to me they're all different components of overall health. I am very eager for my boyfriend to finish using my PS2 monitor so I can hook up my dance-dance-revolution set again and get back to my dancing! I love doing that.

I practiced surya-namaskar

Dear Kelly -

I had to look that up, I didn't know its proper name! So you did a sun salutation today? What are the steps in the one you do?

i practiced surya-namaskar today

Jffice Yoga I did today.

Dear Astera -

What is Jffice Yoga?

Today I did an hour of yoga in the morning on my back porch. Then in the evening I went to my gentle yoga class. It was quite nice.

Today I had a lunch appointment so I could only do a half hour of morning but then I had a full hour class so that was lovely outside in a gazebo.

I am practicing prenatal yoga workouts for my healthy pregnancy. BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

I'm thinking of skipping my Xtend Barre workout and doing about 70 minutes of my Shiva Rea flow yoga dvd. I have not practiced real yoga for over 3 weeks and I'm starting to feel like my mind is suffering for it. I'm finding it harder to go with the flow lately especially when work issues or family distractions come up.

I think 10-15 min. a day of chakra yoga poses is just not enough for me.

Dear Monica -

I enjoy Shiva Rea and several of the teachers I've worked with have promoted the health aspects of flow style yoga.

I do feel the loss when I stop doing yoga for a while. My mind gets more easily distracted and my body feels achy. I feel so much better when I do yoga each day.

I agree that for me 15 minutes would be too short. I am barely getting my mind to quiet and my body to relax in those first 15 minutes. It's probably the middle 30 minutes that I really hit my stride. Then the wind down period is important for its own reasons.

I've been so busy recently that I haven't done yoga for the past week. Also it's gotten cold out so it's too cold to do yoga on my back porch, and I'd gotten very fond of that. Doing it inside in a bedroom just isn't quite the same. But I need to adjust

Time to get the bedroom cleaned up so I have a "meditation room" to enjoy! I'll work on that tomorrow.

I can feel in my shoulders that they haven't been taken care of, they're achy and sore.

I was in the waiting room at the guidance clinic yesterday for 45 minutes and did yoga there. I felt a little weird doing that in a public place, but then thought, 'screw it.'

Then in my self esteem class I committed to doing yoga every day this week. So I still have to do today (i forgot already). I can do tonite while dan and i watch something on tv.

I have been better about the yoga but have not been doing it every day. My goal is still to do some - even a little bit - every day for a week.

Then for another week.

Then we will see.

I'm thinking of bringing my yoga mat to the local park to be surrounded by nature while doing yoga. I'd love to go to the Sanctuary (a yoga center) but the monthly cost...

Lori - nature sounds gorgeous! I understand completely about the cost of going to a center. I think it's better to make your own sanctuary

Jilly - that's great that you're working it into your daily routine!

I haven't done yoga since the cold weather hit. I was so spoiled by the gorgeous outdoor porch yoga that it feels less fun to do it inside. But I have to do it anyway. I have to make inside feel just as lovely.

At my self esteem class I was talking about my yoga goal and we decided to do a few sun salutations right there. That was nice.

Dear Jilly -

That's wonderful, you're helping bring yoga into the lives of others!

I am currently doing corpse pose with my laptop on my lap

OK I will put the laptop down and do some owl twists! I love those

I would not mind if we opened with a sun salutation before each class.

Lisa, have you done Hot?bikram yoga yet? I am hesitant about hot yoga. it sounds sweaty instead of relaxing.

Dear Jilly -

I have not tried hot yoga, and right now I'm too busy to think about researching or looking for one to try out. Maybe in the spring!

Fans say it's like being in a lovely sauna and then gently stretching.

I don't think I've done yoga in a month. I've been insanely busy and cut out everything - but I really miss the yoga. I can feel aches and pains in all parts of my body.

Part of it is I loved my hour long routine, and it seems impossibly long to "waste" now.

I need to just do 10 minutes. I can spare 10 minutes. I need to start somewhere.

Have you done ten minutes? I want to at least do a sun salutation each day...i keep forgetting.

I'm about to do (embarrassed to say)... Denise Austin's yoga video. It's one with weights and I love it. It's not exactly the "peaceful way to start your morning yoga", but it's a great, short workout.

Lisa, don't be embarrassed! All yoga is good yoga.

I need to go outside in the sun and do some salutations today.

patheric, yes, but i did some stretches and child's pose this morning.

I did some yoga on vacation and it was quite soothing. It helped to release stress.

Now that I'm home, I've come down with a cold. I may just do a few simple poses later, to help relax.

OK the cold is finally over and I'm starting to settle into a routine again. I did an hour of yoga today with a new instructor. I'll post about her separately, but I'm glad I did get an hour in.

Spring is coming! We had gorgeous weather today and I set up the back porch with our plants that we'd wintered in the dining area. The big pot of rosemary right by where my yoga mat goes. Then I did yoga!

I tried out the new yoga mat my boyfriend gave me - I'll post about that separately.

I did an hour of it and realized just how much I'd missed doing this. I've been doing 1-2 hours of dance a day, but yoga has its own charms.

I did a lovely hour of yoga today on the back porch, on my normal mat. It was great! I also put Juliet (our cat) on a leash for the first time so she could come out with me. She loved it! She lay in the grass in front of me and sprawled in bliss. Occasionally she'd wander to a new spot. It was idyllic

Back from another hiatus I can feel it in my spine if I haven't done yoga in a while.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. I just finished an hour of yoga on the back porch. Sun shining, birds singing, kitty sprawled next to me.

How are you guys doing?

OK yes once again I let life distract me. Time to start afresh.

As soon as my graphics card installs I plan on going out for a short while, to get my day started. You guys know I work at night so I don't wake up until 2pm or so. Which is nice in that my "morning" yoga is in full warm sun even in the fall. I like to do my yoga on the back porch.

Sunrise yoga

Today I just did some gentle twists, but it was certainly better than nothing! I need to carve out more time for yoga.

I started practicing Bikram yoga 5 weeks ago and have been going 4-5 times a week. I definitely takes more commitment than my yoga class at the YMCA. I used to go to the Y 2-3 times a week and if I missed a class, I didn't stress about it. I think with Bikram, you kind of have to go more often or you can't improve.

I've noticed a lot of benefits to hot yoga though and really like it. It's a real challenge.

That's great to hear, BoomerGal!

I did an hour of yoga this morning, as dawn was arriving. It was lovely!

I did a sun salutation early in the day - it's my all-purpose get up and go stretch - I'm 60+ BTW

Hi Susan I love how yoga is so universal and available to everyone. Sun salutation is such an awaken for the whole body. Good to hear how it helps you.

I was up at the crack of dawn to pick my son up from the airport and missed my session today. Will have to do some stretches and meditation later

I did morning yoga yesterday, and today I again was able to do it. I'm getting into a rhythm! I really enjoy doing yoga while watching the birds out my sliding glass door. It brings an additional layer of peace.

I'm still doing 90 minute hot yoga classes and loving it! I didn't start doing it to lose weight but I've gone from a size 10 jeans to a size 6! I never thought I would evenn see size 8 again. All this happened over the holidays, BTW and I didn't do anything special with my diet.

Good to hear of your practices. Sounds like Hot Yoga suits you down to the ground Boomergal .

I've been doing a lot of meditation recently. My back has been niggling for a couple of weeks so been taking it easy on my usual practice - still doing gentle stretches and a lot of walking!

BoomerGal - congratulations! That is great news.

I just finished my morning yoga session. Today I had juncos, downies, and titmice keeping me company. Next up, to sort out my mail .

A lovely morning session of yoga with bluebirds, nuthatches, chickadees, and the ever-present juncos. A serene way to start the day!

Sounds lovely. My session was postponed from this morning to this afternoon due to family considerations - and space! I did some gentle stretches, spinal twists and pranayama before an hour meditation.

I have been doing yoga in bed the last few days. Since I am still getting over this flu, I'm taking it really easy. Lots of stretches and cobras and planks.

Hope you feel better soon! Hope the yoga is helping.

I recently did the same - stretches in bed and pranayama to help with breathing and the aches and pains that the flu brings.

Do you usually have a yoga practice?

I Forgot to check in, but I think I've done yoga every day since my last post. I've really enjoyed the routine, and I love having the bird feeder right "in front of me" while I do the practice. And now my petunia is flowering!

Didn't sleep well last night, but a lovely yoga session brought a fresh start to my day. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

A delightful yoga session with sunshine and a purring kitty. The rose plant Bob got me last Valentine's Day is looking ready to flower!

Thanks for all your updates

I regularly do The Spinal Warm up series from Kundalini and have found that to be great to energise and waken the body in the morning. I posted an article about it earlier

I had a great yoga session this morning - the sun was sparkling off the snow, turning it into a kaleidoscope of colors. It was really pretty .

Today I have done a complete session as listed on previous post
All the snow has gone and given way to a green landscape again.

I have your snow!

A lovely yoga session while snowflakes danced and spun outside my window. The bluebirds are stocking up on suet to prepare! I got video

Sounds lovely

DDP Yoga... so fun! and it's a good workout... it's not your peaceful yoga... or, as the DDP guy says "this ain't your mama's yoga"

Hi Lisa (Pinkus) Thanks for sharing! Sounds great. Hadn't heard of DDP Yoga - just looked it up. They describe it as a hybrid yoga due to all the additions. Good to know you've found a yoga that helps and makes you feel good

I did modified yoga this afternoon, avoided all the head-down poses like Downward Facing Dog. Still foggy, but feeling better. The flu is finally fading. It was nice to stretch and watch the bluebirds.

Hi Lisa hope the flu is lifting! Good to see you are still able to do a modified gentle practice while ill. Hope the recovery is swift.

Today I have done some deep stretches and will take a long brisk walk later to blow off the cobwebs

I'm glad to be feeling better again. I did my full yoga session and my fine feels quite happy .

A lovely yoga session - wow, much different doing it mid-day after my shake! I felt much stronger and integrated with the poses.

A lovely yoga session, my first since last Thursday I think. I missed it. My spine feels much better now. Lots of petunias to enjoy!

A lovely yoga session, with Juliet the cat interweaving as much as she possibly could. She likes to help with my balance. Now shake time.

I finally got the kitchen cleared out enough to do yoga again. It's funny how quickly it fills with clutter. I enjoyed it immensely. My body definitely misses it when I can't do it. Julie was walking all around beneath me while I did my downward facing dog.

Did my yoga, my tailbone is sore from doing the 100 situps yesterday. Bob recommends I just hold plank longer vs doing situps to work on my stomach muscles. So I'll give that a try. The spinal twists felt really, really nice.

Sounds good advice - holding plank for longer. I've been diagnosed with pleurisy which has come on since having the flu before Christmas. Been in a lot of pain with it and at last got a proper diagnosis after being fobbed off that it was muscular!

Been doing breathing exercises and the kriya I posted in my article last week to try and alleviate symptoms also taking lots of rest!

Wow has it been this long since I did yoga? That would be sad.

I enjoyed a lovely yoga session on this first day of spring. My spine appreciates the gentle stretching.

Lisa, I loved the yoga exercises you encouraged us to do at your launch party last week. Is there somewhere there are exercises like that in a list on one page?

Tina - I have my list of yoga exercises I used here -

Book Launch Party

Enjoy!

I had a delightful yoga session today. It was lovely and warm - 64F - with sun streaming in through the window. Also I danced all night long last night, so my spine definitely enjoyed the stretching!

I adored my yoga session today. My spine felt great, my legs felt great, it was just what I needed.

My spine is jealous. But since I won't be going to bed for several hours I think I will endulge in a little yoga.

On Tuesday night I ended up at a friend's small office for a few hours in the evening, waiting for my boyfriend to finish playing darts. He was playing in a smoky club so I didn't want to be in the club with him. I ended up just doing my yoga routine on the carpet. It was lovely! It was great to have a way to relax and exercise without needing any equipment at all. It was after hours so there was nobody in the office to see me

Wow I think that was the last time I did yoga. It's funny how the days slip away.

Today was *gorgeous* out so for the first time this year I did yoga on the back porch. It was fantastic. Julie, my cat, sprawled at my side. She's normally an inside-only cat but I let her out when I go out.

Blue skies, drifting clouds, singing birds, quite lovely.

Wow, a long time since my last yoga. This poison ivy did me in.

Had a lovely yoga session in the early evening - but killed at least 15 mosquitoes while I was out there. Feeling a tad bit guilty.

It was the first day the poison ivy felt under control enough to attempt it.

I had a really nice Yin Yoga session which I just finished. I did it in my workout room with lots of clothes on and blankets. It is 18 degrees with wind chill of 1 degrees and it is still snowing, going on day 4 now. I long for the day I can do yoga on my patio.

Sounds like a lovely session Terri. Hope the snow lets up