Laura Venecia Rodriguez doing the Locust Pose.
I love what author and yogi Ina Marx (who before beginning yoga had left severely disabled by an accident) says about establishing an exercise regime whether it is yoga or anything else. In her book, You Are in Charge, Ms. Marx asserts, "No sporadic, haphazard, part-time or quicke program has ever worked in the long run...The key to lifelog fitness is to establish a program that fits into your everyday schedule. It must be uncomplicated, take a minimum of time and require no gadgets, special equipment, instructor or manipulator at your side. It must be fun to do, and it must bring progressively evident results."
Ms. Marx describes the essence of my daily yoga regime. It's simple and except for my mat and some comfortable clothes, I require nothing else- including no instructor. Next spring, yoga will have been a part of my lifestyle for FORTY-THREE years (almost as long as Donna Karan, the designer I spoke about a few posts back)!
I believe that it has been this daily practice (i.e., at least 5-6 times a week) that has enabled me to still feel 25 virtually most of the time (barring unavoidable sleep disruptions or when I experience the very infrequent cold, sore back from sleeping on a bad hotel mattress or other life glitch) even though I am now over 35...45...and 55...
I have some friends who attend yoga classes once or twice a week but rarely practice at home or on their own. And, yes, they gain some significant benefits from attending the class. But, in my humble observation, it doesn't appear that they are benefitting as much as I. I say this not to brag but to simply point out that daily practice appears to create what author and entrepreneur Darren Hardy calls the "compound effect" in his book of the same name.
Darren defines the Compound Effect this way: “It’s the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices. Success is earned in the moment to moment decisions that in themselves make no visible difference whatsoever, but the accumulated compounding effect is profound.”
A person may seem to feel more of a short-term difference in his/her body after a 90 minute intense yoga class once or even twice a week. They may feel the infamous "burn" or sensation of "working out." However, I would argue that it's the person who like me practices only 20-30 minutes a day at home and may not recognize any earth-shattering results for several results, WILL reap tremendous, undeniable rewards over a longer time. The "compound effect" of daily practice creates a healthy rhythym to your life.
Yours for experiencing more energy, vitality, and discovering your innermost potential through daily yoga at home!
Laura Venecia Rodriguez, the Beginner's At Home Yoga Coach