MARCH 21-DAY CHALLENGE: CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN!

I didn’t grow up in a church that practiced Lent but I’ve always liked the idea of Lenten Season. 1) Because I like a good challenge or maybe I like the opportunity or excuse to try something new or clean up my routine. 2) Because I value the concept of shaking up routine, taking something away that I depend on, making myself a little uncomfortable in order to grow. I believe that one of the original concepts of giving something up for Lent (40 days) or any fasting is that when you miss, crave, or think about that thing you've given up (which will probably be many times a day), you use the opportunity to turn your mind to the thing you're remembering and trying to meditate on more deeply. There are many things we can notice as we give something up that we are used to having or doing, when we simply shake up our routine - our emotional and physical patterns, our reliances, our habits around that thing that may not even be about the thing. Do I need the thing for the thing or to quiet some other desire or unrest that arises during my day?

Let's be honest, I also like the idea of Lent or Cleanses or Challenges because it gives me a recipe for self-restraint - clear instructions, boundaries. But do I really need more self-restraint, more self-harm in my life, and isn't that really more of a self-serving motive when look at my intentions? What can I do that will help me to grow and do better as a friend, a wife, a business owner, a dog-mama, a yoga teacher? For this challenge, I'm choosing to give up sugar - yes, because it contains empty calories but also because it is my comfort food, my go-to distraction from stillness and mindfulness, my craving that comes up most often that I actually need the least. I'm adding something to make me a more present, mindful wife and partner - giving positive affirmations each day to Clay... you know, being nicer and all that! The hardest one, the habit I'm working on is not offering or giving my opinion on things when I’m not asked. You get it. It's hard. I want to help but am I helping? Let's try something new. Shake things up. Spring Challenge!

Get ready for your Choose-Your-Own-Challenge if you would like to join me! You choose 3 ways to challenge yourself over the first 21 days of March:

1) Something you're giving up

2) Something you're adding

3) A habit your want to create or cultivate

I'm also providing daily guide for yoga/mindful challenges to keep you motivated and to inspire your sharing on social media (you'll want to follow the challenge #hyespringchallenge on Instagram and post your challenges and inspirations): 

Day 1) Warrior

- choose your warrior posture, standing firm and ready for whatever comes your way!

Day 2) Breath Work

- demonstrate a breathing exercise that you are practicing, Pranyama - breathwork to still and focus the mind; to improve lungs and respiratory system.

Day 3) Backbend

- choose a backbend to send nourishing blood and oxygen to the vertebrae and cartilage. Healthy spine for a happy life!

Day 4) Nourish

- how are you nourishing yourself differently today and during this challenge? Try a new recipe or new way of cooking or preparing your favorite dish!

Day 5) Twist

- find a twist to squeeze out the internal organs and the spine - detoxify and stimulate the organs and glands.

Day 6) Hydrate

- drink water! Today try drinking - not 64 ounces but 132 ounces (16 glasses) of water. Maybe do it again tomorrow and the next day and for all 21 days.

Day 7) Shoulder Strength

- use a shoulder strengthening exercise to build strength for a stronger practice or maybe building your inversion practice

Day 8) Meditate

- practice a meditation exercise today... We will provide an exercise you can try!

Day 9) Dancer

- find grace and focus in your variation of dancer. Just like in our daily lives, in Dancer Posture, you have to find what to engage and what to soften - where to work and where to relax.

Day 10) Cleanse

- take something out of your routine/your body that isn't serving you or something you don't need today.

Day 11) Spiral Movement

- use a spiral movement to move energy, strengthen the inner and outer core, and to awaken your mind and body

Day 12) Balance

- find a balancing posture to develop your concentration - focus your mind on one thing only. You will find that you have no choice but to be present, in the moment, when you are balancing on one leg

Day 13) Inspiration

- Share who or what has been an inspiration lately or throughout your life. What words or example do you come back to as a reminder of what you are working towards or what is important to you.

Day 14) Heart Opener

- Open your heart with physical asana (posture) and follow it with internal reflection - what came up? Use meditation, prayer, intention or journalling to respond to what you saw or noticed

Day 15) Inversion

- Try an inversion today to change your perspective. Need support? No problem! Use a friend, a tree, your dog or another object!

Day 16) Hip Opener

- practice a hip-opening posture AND for extra credit - stay in the posture for 5 minutes (this means 5 minutes on each side if it is a single-sided posture)

Day 17) Free Movement

- find your free movement, dance or flow! Can you step to this? We want to see a video and don't hold back... extra bonus points for yogis who get creative, have fun and let go of inhibitions!

Day 18) Core Strength

- practice an abdominal strengthening exercise. We strengthen our core so we can support the rest of our body and support the dreams we are building.

Day 19) Chakra Opener

- try a chakra opening movement to move energy through an area in your body that may feel "stuck" ... We will give you some examples to try!

Day 20) Spine Lengthener / Back-body Opener

- find a forward fold or a seated stretch to decompress your spine, sending fresh blood flow to the space between the vertebrae. Lengthen the back sides of the legs, even the souls of the feet to allow your body to be at ease - not just to do more yoga postures but to do more life!

Day 21) Salutation

- Practice a salute to the sun, the moon, the gods and goddesses, your choice. Namasakara - means to bow to, to honor, to adore... in closing this challenge, we bow in honor to each of you, in gratitude for the world created around us.

Lastly, we have prizes! Sponsored Prizes include:

~ Aveda Hair + Skin Gift Sets

~ Lululemon - Professional Mat

~ Chelsea Young - Pantry Makeover & Grocery Trip | Meal Prep Class for you + 3 friends!

~ The Raw Deal - Gift Certificate for delivered raw meals!

~ Free Massage from Claire Wallace - Safe Camp Massage

~ Free Tuition for a Buti Yoga Teacher Training ($725 value)