Is there something you know so well that you assume everyone else knows it just as you do? That is my shortcoming I have about the 21-day yoga challenge. Read on to receive a brief tutorial on what, when, why and how the 21-day yoga challenge works.
This year’s challenge begins Saturday, February 29th and runs through Friday, March 20, 2020.
What is the 21-day yoga challenge? The challenge is an opportunity to cultivate a healthful habit of coming to your mat every day for 21 days. In the beginning, the small group who participated in the challenge practiced the Mother Sequence — a set of poses created by Jehangir Palkhivala. Palkhivala, is a Mumbai yoga instructor who studied at a young age with BKS Iyengar. He created the Mother Sequence to help his students alleviate a variety of physical and emotional struggles.
While many of my students began the annual challenge with the Mother Sequence — almost a decade ago — there are many individuals who have joined us to do their own practice, choosing poses that fit with their needs. In short, the what is not: What practice are you doing on your mat? It is: Are you getting to your mat?
Bryan YMCA participates. Many have done the 21-day yoga challenge for close to a decade
When is the 2020, 21-day yoga challenge? While you can choose to do your 21-day yoga challenge anytime, many of us around the country will participate Saturday, February 29 to Friday, March 20. This coincides with the last 20 days of winter and completes on the first day of spring, the day we welcome more light into our days and lives.
Why do we do the challenge? At the core is the desire to have you come to your mat every day for 21 days in order to give back to yourself. It is not about the choice of practice, but rather the commitment to be kind to the body, mind and spirit that gives so much each day. Twenty-one is that special number that researchers have determined create a habit. Something done for 21 days can integrate into your fibers.
How is it done? You can sign up to receive an email each day for the 21-day challenge to remind you to take time for you. You can choose one pose or five poses or the entire Mother Sequence. This sequence is best learned by an experienced teacher as there are many nuances and modifications offered to help practitioners at various levels. The best practice is to begin at your comfort level and choose poses that you know. Attending classes or working with a trained instructor is essential.
A suggestion of poses is offered in The 21-Day Yoga Challenge: Inspiration for a Lifetime of Good Health book which provides an illustrated guide to the Mother Sequence and gives you daily meditations to enhance your practice.
There are few times in life when you grant yourself permission to take care of you. Yet, being a caretaker to your own being is the only way to be a fully caring individual to others.
Be good to you. Be well. And, be to your mat!
Encourage a friend to join you. The 21-day yoga challenge book is a great tool to get your lifetime of good habits started.
