What a 30-Day Yoga challenge really feels like - And why you should do it!

Over the month of May, I committed myself to 30 days of Yoga at Hom Yoga. If you're an Ashtangi, who has the discipline to commit to their daily self-practice, this may seem like no big deal. However, to must of us, and most definitely myself, fitting in a daily studio practice was a big challenge. Time-management soon became the least of the challenges I faced.

On Day One I was optimistic. On Day Two I was feeling fresh and strong. By Day Three, I had already used my first skip day.

Completing 30 classes in 30 days is a journey which requires focus, sacrifice and a certain tolerance for discomfort. If you can give in to the fact that you're going to be sweaty and red faced for an entire month, there are some real benefits and life changing lessons to be realised.

It will re-energise your practice

As an Ashtangi, I don’t usually attend too many led classes. Although the strict routine of the tradition attracted me to the style, I must say I have missed other schools of yoga. If you are in a rut with your practice, or just need some inspiration to re-excite you, a 30-day challenge may be the right move for you.

The studio I practiced in offers a variety of styles including Flow, Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin and it’s own style, Hom. Being able to practice Camel, Half Moon and experiencing the joy of Yin again, completely reinspired my devotion to a regular yoga practice.

You will connect more with your body

Looking yourself square in the face, in next to nothing, for 60-120 minutes a day is something that would have instantly put me off a few years ago. In fact, up until about a year ago, I would not practice at studios that had mirrors. I found it confronting, uncomfortable and distracting.

Somewhere between my first and my four-thousandth Chaturanga, any notion of body insecurity or comparison simply vanished.

The 30-day challenge is personal, it's only you on your mat. You come to know your practice as something that is deeply unique to you and the given moment. Comparison to other bodies or other days, quickly becomes needless. As I stared at myself in the mirror during Dancer Pose, all I was focused on was how I could improve this pose to get the most benefits. At the end of each practice I could only find gratitude for the way my body allowed me to move. This was HUGE for me.

It will help you figure out what is important to you

If you are doing a 30 day hot yoga challenge, chances are you are a bit of a type A personality. It’s all or nothing. In my own yoga journey, prioritizing my practice is a constant struggle. The 30-Day challenge forces you to make serious shifts in your life to allow space to practice. However, there are always going to be conflicts in your calendar and disappearing into the studio for a month is hardly a healthy habit.

When a new commitment comes into your life, naturally, things that you don’t value with fall of your calendar. Going out past 10:30pm was OUT. And I was personally okay with this. There were definitely days where I had to drag myself to the studio, knowing that last nights wine plus a room heated to 30-40 degrees did not equal bliss. But I still went, as showing up was something I took seriously. However, I also cut myself some slack. On certain days, when I was run down with a throat infection, or had to meet an important work deadline, or staying in bed with the boy on a rainy Sunday seemed like a better idea than racing to the studio, I allowed myself a skip day. I always made up the classes, and made sure to not let the challenge completely consume me.

If you are considering a 30-Day challenge, I would say go for it! I am feeling stronger and more connected than ever. I’ve re-energised positive habits, and negative habits have fallen off. Make sure you don’t over commit, plan it for a month that you don’t have too many other events or deadlines. Show up on your mat for 30 days and don’t forget to write down your experiences!

If you have any questions, or want advice on your next 30-day challenge, you can always get in touch at omologist@omologyyoga.com

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