Yoga: Changing up the Routine

Change is good. I’ve been doing the same yoga routine for six years. The exact same one. This surprises many people but if you are a yogi you will understand. The physical routine is simply a catalyst for the mental routine, so in some ways, the physical part really doesn’t matter that much. Sounds counterintuitive but it works.

Most of the time the main battle doing this routine is the disconnect from the world around me. The sounds, the distractions the pressures. Sometimes the disconnect happens immediately, on the good days, and other times I don’t disengage until the very end. And sometimes I miss entirely.

A routine can help eliminate distraction. A routine feels comfortable and feels like a friend stopping by. And remember, with yoga, all you need to do is add ten seconds to any pose and it becomes a lot more difficult.

But today I’m changing things up. I’m doing a more physical routine. Chest and abs. I’ve got eight different movements for each which I will run through three times…if I can. I’m not entirely sure.

One of my issues is that I eat really healthy and I can’t gain weight. In fact, if I don’t do strength training I lose weight rapidly. Two weeks ago I weighed 155 pounds. I looked in the mirror and what came back looked like someone who had been marooned on an island for a year. I quickly started eating burgers. (Organic, grass-fed, gluten-free bun.) I also do protein powder, rice, and beans, fish, etc. I sometimes eat all day long. I mean, all day long. And I still lose weight.

If you have never been a routine person I have an idea for you. Take ten basic yoga poses, a two-minute core routine, and a two-minute pushup routine and do this routine for two weeks straight. Everyday. No skips. It should take you 30 minutes.

My thought is if you commit to two weeks and make it you will never stop and it will certainly change your life.

Also, something I need to add. Yoga is an industry, and in some ways the industry is THE most phony thing I’ve ever seen. Lots and lots of softcore-style young women in exotic locations talking about things like “connecting to the Earth,” and “finding inner peace.” These concepts and ideas are profound and worth contemplation, but the vast majority of these people are not. You don’t have to be flexible. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t have to have the matching outfit. You don’t have to live in Bali. You don’t even need a yoga mat. All you need is the mindset to begin.

PS: My routine for this day was 15 mins of core, 15 mins of legs and 15 minutes of chest. All body weight. No equipment required. It totally kicked my ass. Eight minutes later I was getting sore. After a routine like this, I realize one thing. I’m really out of shape. Sitting in front of the computer is one of the worst things I can do, and I do it for about eight hours a day. So, time for a change. (More on this very soon.)