Care to join in on a little challenge?
For the next 21 days, I’ll be practicing yoga every.single.day. Some days it may be for 90 minutes and some days it may only be for 10 minutes…as long as you’re on your mat for at least five minutes a day, it counts.
I got the idea from one of my old instructors at the lovely Blue Turtle Yoga in Charleston who is currently conducting a 21 day yoga challenge to anyone that wants to join in. Why 21, not 22? Because 21 days is the amount of time traditionally needed to break a habit. Do you have any habit in your life that needs breaking? Smoking, caffeine, soda? I know I have a few! Now’s the time. On the days you can’t get in to take a class, try a podcast (they’re free!) from your living room instead…or just sit in child’s pose for a few quiet breathes. Yoga makes us aware of not only ourselves, but also our surroundings and others. It helps us get through tough life situations (try thinking of warrior two next time you’re getting a cavity drilled) by teaching us to breathe.
So, are you in? Side effects may include trimmer thighs, better sleep, clearer mind and toned arms.
The decision is up to you.
{ 152 comments… read them below or add one }
I am in. I try to practice everyday but life throws curves. This will make me accountable and really step up my practice. Can’t wait!
Great idea. I’ll definitely be joining you– I’ve been meaning to get back into a regular routine (which I need otherwise I lose motivation) and this has perfect timing! Thanks for the inspiration.
Count me in!
I’ve been a cardio monster lately and am definitely lacking some yoga in my life. I’m in!
I’m in! I’ve never been to Blue Turtle, but walked past it loads of times.
Love this, I’m in!
Awesome challenge, Jenna! Best of luck on your daily yoga journey
I’m in!!!
I like that idea, and it’s nice that it can be 5 minutes or 90! I like to start the day with sun salutations whenever possible, it is the best way to begin! 
Yes count me in!
Think I’ll be starting to ‘lead’ a class or two a week at the local fitness center too!
Ah, so in!!! Thanks! We have a camping trip coming up but I’ll make it work. . . somehow!
Sounds like a great challenge! I think I’m going to give it a whirl…
I need to to yoga more often. I only do it once a week but I’m always sore the day after, which I actually like because it’s good to know I’m actually working out!
Love this! I try to practice a few times a week in the studio and a mini most mornings, but this is a great way to incorporate it into a daily routine. Count me in!
mmm…I’ll give it a shot!
I am in!
Love this- I’m in
I’m in! BTW just made your Channa Masala, huge success!
Starting today?…can I start another day?
I like the “10 minutes” one! I put too much pressure on myself.
But – what bad habits do you have to break?? And many times a week do you normally do yoga?
If you don’t mind answering questions please!
You can start whenever you like but this challenge is officially happening from august 1-21. I practice yoga about 5x a week normally.
I guess there’ll never be a “right” time to start…10 minutes done
So I am a totally new person to yoga, never been to a class, only done a few videos and whatnot but I think this would be fun to try. I am not sure if I could commit to everyday with all the other training I am doing at the moment but I want to try!
I am so in!!! August is my clean slate month since July was not the best!! Yay for 21 days of yoga plus many more once the habit is formed!
Sounds awesome! I currently try to do yoga one day a week and that’s usually a challenge for me!
oh, I need this. Starting today?
I haven’t ever really gotten into yoga, but I think I am going to give this a try. If for nothing else than to take a little time for me each day.
I. Am. In.
This is awesome! I might have to join you
I already have three one-hour Ashtanga sessions a week but I could benefit from small sessions devoted to the alignment. Good motivation !
I’M IN
I am SO in.
That is such a good idea! Even just for 10 minutes. Anyone can do that. I might just have to join you….
I’m in. I currently practice once a week in a modified Ashtanga Primary class, and & I want to expand my practice. I have some podcasts; this challenge will motivate me to actually start my home practice.
I’m in. I just got home from my yoga class and I’m so glad I read this. 21 days… I’m ready! Work your magic, yoga
I am SO in!!! This is just what I need to kick my butt in gear!!
I am definitely up for the challenge. Can never do too much yoga!
Yes please. Don’t mind if I do. Thanks for the inspiration. I can’t manage 90 mins every day by any means, but 10, or 30, or 60, and sometimes 90 – yes I can. I think I’ll start now with a Dave Farmar podcast – never got around to it before! I’ve only ever done ashtanga so I’ll see how it goes!
ok I’m in. This is going to be a real challenge for me. I workout on/off. But I too have migraines and IBS so I’m going to try this in order for me to get better. Thanks!
I’ll join you! Is there any way we can all be accountable to each other? Maybe signing in every day?
Yes, I’m in! My baby is due in 19 days, so I may get interrupted, but I’ll try my best! I’ve found that taking prenatal yoga classes has helped me so much throughout this pregnancy!
What an amazing challenge. I will gladly join! I can’t promise every single day, but I will definitely try for the majority!
Yoga is a wonderful, wonderful thing.
I’m totally in. I’ve been trying to get more yoga in my life anyways….this is just the kick in the asana I need!
I spread the word on my blog too:
http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/08/fitness-quickie.html
Cool idea! I bet you’ll feel really relaxed about 21 days from now.
I. Am. In. Sooooo excited about it! Habit to rid myself of…… biting my nails/cuticles
Thanks Jenna!
I JUST finished a month-long yoga challenge! It was actually featured on wordpress’s freshly pressed and I was wondering why I had all kinds of pageviews and comments today!
I’m in! Been meaning to do this for awhile so this is great motivation.
This sounds awesome…definitely in!
I am in! I was actually planning on going to a yoga class every day this week – why not expanded it to 3 weeks! Thanks for the modivation…
I am so in!
I’m so in! I used to teach yoga and I miss it so much! I found plenty of time to practice while I was teaching, but now that I don’t, I find it hard to stop and relax. Great idea!
I used to practice yoga on a regular basis in my apartment. I loved it and I felt great when I was doing it. Well “Life” happened and somehow it’s became more of a rare occurrence than a habit. I really miss it, but haven’t been able to get back into the swing o’ things.
I love {and accept} this challenge. Cheers!
What an excellent and entirely achievable challenge! Count me in as well!!!
i’m in!
I love this idea! I can at LEAST do 5 minutes of yoga a day!
Count me in. I have been slacking off in the yoga department and miss it dearly. My body wants it. It needs it. Will you be letting us know how the yoga challenge is going for you during the weeks?
And the best side effect of all I think….
good for mental health and peace of mind!
Yoga had been my own personal form of
therapy (mentally and spiritually) and I am grateful
every class I make it to…
I already posted a comment – but can I just say I have just done Dave Farmar’s 60 min podcast from 31/1/11 and I feel fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration (again)!
I’m totally in! I just made a goal to practice everyday for the month of august, so this is perfect!
Thanks for the extra motivation!
Just yesterday I made a deal with my mom that I would do yoga everyday in August if she would read two new books. You can definitely count me in!
I love this idea!! Count me in!
I was just told by my acupuncturist that I needed to slow down. Slow down on the cardio and heavy training. This is a great way to learn to relax and spend some time reflecting on myself. Thanks for this challenge. I am so in.
In! How convenient is it that I just bought a two-month unlimited pass to a new hot yoga studio that recently opened up in the neighborhood?
Such an inspirational idea. I will be doing this with you!
I am with you! This will coincide with my countdown until I am really with you
If I just got back from Wanderlust (three classes per day for three days), does that count as 9 days down?
Just kidding. I like this challenge.
Absolutely! I LOVE Dave Farmar podcasts–a total mental and physical workouts. Maybe a halfway point & final check in over the next 3 weeks?
Awesome decision Jenna.
(or a twitter hashtag?)
I started a 21 day yoga challenge 24 days ago. I’m now trying to go to 30 days, but I love it so maybe I’ll go longer. Thanks for reminding me that 10 minutes counts and for the new podcast suggestion. I’ve been using Hillary Rubin’s podcast and Sofia on Yoga to the People.
What is a podcast exactly?? It’s not like a video then?…thanks for the recommendations. I’ve tried a short class with Farmer Dave on YogaDownload.com before, but wasn’t a huge fan. He tends to hold his poses long and I’d prefer a flow.
A podcast is basically an audio recording you can download to your ipod. I’ve tried the yoga podcasts, and they are pretty good. However, some teachers use the real yoga pose names which can be hard to follow if you don’t know them (like me!)
. I usually stick to yoga videos, because they work better for me.
You know what? I’m in too. How hard is it to whip out my mat once a day and focus on myself for five minutes? I think that sounds like a fabulous idea.
I’m totally in. Since a hip injury has me sidelined for a bit, yoga is really all I can do anyway.
Namaste!
I’m in, Jenna! Thanks for the inspiration to stay focused and enjoy yoga!
I’m in!
Wow! great idea girl! good luck
I need 21 days of any moving with my bum knee.
I’m in! I’ve been practicing 4-5 times a week for 30-65 min. Why not every day?!
I’m definitely in. I’ve been in a rut lately and need all the help I can get to feel better! Yay!
I’m in I’m in I’m in!
I try to practice at home yoga every now and then, but I tend to loose some motivation along the way. This challenge would be a great tool for me to ensure I don’t fall out of my yoga plan
I love this idea! I have been making an effort to do more yoga on my own and I’m loving the results! I feel so much more comfortable with my practice! I’m jumping on board for 21 days for sure!
IN!
i’m re-taking the MCAT in 12 days, and starting my last semester of college in 17. i could definitely use this time to pick up my new yoga practice. i’ve been ending my strength training workouts with about 10 minutes of yoga, so this will just be perfect.
I’m in! It’s one of my monthly goals, and I’m actually planning on quitting the gym and joining a yoga studio this month so it’s perfect timing.
I am all over that!!! Awesome challenge!!!
This is actually very weird because today I woke up, and since is Monday and day 1 of the month (I love it when that happens), I decided that today I would start my day with yoga!! so I’m totally in for the challenge!
xoxo
Lola
This is SUCH a great challenge Jenna. I am so so so temper but know I wouldn’t be able to commit because of all that I have going on. If I did this I would want to be 100%…. I would want to focus and be hardcore about it hahaha… Right now I am grainy for a half and getting back into my singing groove… And work is crazy. I practice yoga maybe once a week. This challenge would do me some good i am sure but the pure fact that I know I wouldn’t be able to focus on it and give it my all would bum me out. Good luck to you and everyone else! I’m sure I’ll be inspired to at least get a few more sessions a week in
Hmmmm my website didn’t attach, weird. But this should work
Sorry for the double post!
what fabulous timing! I’ve been trying (well, more like thinking about trying than actually doing anything) to get more yoga in to my daily life. And this seems like a totally attainable challenge. Thanks for putting it out there, Jenna! I’m in!
What a great challenge, I definitely need more yoga in my life! And I challenged myself to no drinking and I haven’t had a glass of wine in 3 weeks…I think the habit stuck and I firmly believe in the 21 day rule!
I’m in! I’ve been wanting to make yoga a more regular habit, and I always love a good challenge
I’m a newbie to yoga and am pretty happy with doing it 3 times a week for now.
Seriously, when are you going to become a yoga instructor yourself?! You’d be the best teacher!
I think this is exactly what I needed today! Thanks for the inspiration! I’m in!
Sounds cool! I have a yoga groupon I need to use anyway. Just curious- have you ever tried Bikram yoga? I did a lot of it last winter (I live in Philly, the heat was welcome relief), didn’t know if you had ever tried it. My groupon is for a different yoga studio actually, but I was just wondering.
I’ve heard of these yoga challenges. My friend did one for 30 days and absolutely raved about it! Good luck!
i’m in!
I’m totally in. Fun idea!
I recently did this…Yoga Journal has a 21-Day Challenge that is great! It really switches it up and goes from short workouts to long ones, etc. Check it out: http://21daychallenge.yogajournal.com/
Awesome! Thanks for posting this, this will be great to use.
Count me in! I started using YogaDownloads.com and downloading Dave Farmar’s podcasts thru you. Sadly, I fell out of yoga while training for my marathon last year. I want to get back into and doing 10mins counts, right! =)
This will be good for my body and mind since I’m going crazy working nights in the ER!
One question, how do YOU do Warrior 1? On yogadownload.com, the instructors sometimes say to spin the back foot flat while others say to stay on the ball of your foot (heels off the ground). I do it the latter way and spin my foot flat when I go into Warrior 2. Please enlighten!
Thanks!
Count me in Jenna!
So excited to join you!
I’m in!! Completely, 121% in.
What a great goal to have! I think I might take up this challenge =)
I’m in! And starting off with a 20 minute savasana!
I love your challenge! If not this go around, I will commit to this at some point!!! I believe it is so healthy, physically and mentally. As I was reading your post out loud to my mom, she mentioned that she does sun salutations. Our FAVORITE yoga teachers says taht 20 of them each day works EVERY muscle in your body. Best of luck and enjoy! Looking forward to hearing about or reading about the results!
Have you read the Wilder Life? It is by Wendy McClure. I am only on page 40 and I am already surprised with some of the information she gives about Laura Ingalls Life!
How funny, I was planning to restart my practice with a class tomorrow. I am sure I can muster some down dogs today on my own, though! I am sure it will help my running!! And thanks for sharing the free podcast site. Great resource!!
I’m in!! I’ve just gotten into yoga this summer, and this is a great excuse to keep me motivated!
I’m in! Just the kick I need to make me find either a dvd or a download that I can do at home.
I’m totally in! I have been living with my parents this summer in a tiny town without a yoga studio, so my practice has been sorely lacking…but this is just what I need to get back in! And I’m super excited to try those podcasts. Perfect.
ok ok i’ll do it
Sounds like a fabulous idea!
I am in!!! I just got laid off and am so worried about falling into a “I can’t get out of bed pity party”. This will be great for establishing a daily routine
I’m in! With all the running and Body Pump I’ve been doing lately, yoga has taken a back seat. But I seriously NEED more yoga in my life!
Jenna this is great!
I have had a near-daily asana practice for the past 11 years. There have been times, like early pregnancy and late pregnancy where I did zero yoga, but pretty much daily, I do something. Not every day is a all-out, maxed out practice. Some days it’s literally 5 mins, 5 sun salutations, a few forward bends and that it’s it.
But yoga is *always* with me. Off the mat. Yoga guides me every.single.day in my life and it’s not something I could separate or not have. It just always…is.
Congrats on the challenge. I’m in. But that goes without saying
This is a great idea! What a wonderful way to clear your mind!
How you feel about yoga is how I feel about running. Maybe I will join you in the challenge but run instead.
I will have to start tomorrow since its a bit late to get started today! Haha!!
Every time I do yoga more than two days in a row I feel weird and overstretched. BUT if I only have to do it for 5-10 minutes, I think my body could handle that. And if I feel overstretched, I can just hold warrior 3 for 10 minutes, right? haha, that won’t happen. But I think this could be a solution. I have always wanted to do more yoga.
I’m in.
is anyone interested in doing a facebook group for this? I did a facebook group for 1000 challenge (1000 minutes of physical activity in a month), and it was really inspirational to see what other people were doing. It helped me not fall off the wagon.
Wonderful idea Jenna. I actually started a fitness challenge recently for all my blog readers and friends called the Strong Is Sexy Fitness Challenge. It runs for 4 weeks and is home workout based with plenty of yoga. You can check it out here if you’re interested: http://www.caseylorraine.com/strong-sexy/. I also include daily affirmations…it makes it about more than the body that way
. Please enjoy and if you feel like sharing please go ahead. Enjoy your challenge!!
Absolutely, Jenna! Looking forward to the renewal and thanks for the invitation!
Count me in too! I’ve been wanting to do more yoga lately! Thanks for the link to the podcasts!
I’m in! And better yet, I just got my new Dharma Mittra dvd yesterday for those days I can’t get to class~
I’m doing it! Starting Aug 7th. I’ve been missing yoga for sho.
I love the idea of even getting in 10 minutes a day. I feel like sometimes if I can’t make a 90 minute class, I just don’t do it at all…and my 10 minutes will probably turn into 30 at least;)
I’m doing it
thanks for the motivation, Jenna!
I am so in! 21 days is just the beginning…….Namaste
It’s Ramadan and I actually find this the perfect time to commit to yoga every day! Ramadan lasts about 30 days and I admit I’ve often forgone vigorous exercise during this time (especially this year with the fast from about 4:30 am to 8:30 pm) but doing yoga is another tool I can use to enhance the mind, spirit, and body. So, I’m definitely up for this little challenge!
I’m so doing this! Just the inspiration that I needed!
I’m a day late to this but I am totally in!
I’d love to join you – it’s the perfect way to spend the last month of summer!
I just completed my own mini three week yoga challenge a couple weeks ago. Let me tell ya- doing power yoga every single day is tough!! But it did wonders for my mind and body. My head is clearer, I remind myself to take deep breaths throughout the day… taught me to have a longer period of time between the stressful situation and my reaction to it.
I’m in, Jenna! I didn’t reply yesterday, but I did some yoga after my walk last night, and it was awesome. I decided today to join you
Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
Even though I’m a day late…I’m in! The best periods of time in my life have been when I have done yoga almost everyday. I can’t wait to have that experience again.
I am in! Got busy this summer and didn’t get to do as much yoga as I wanted. Last week I made it to 6 classes! This is the perfect way to keep at it!~
I try to do yoga 5 times a week, on weekdays. So I will join you on this challenge and try to do it for 21 days as well. I use Comcast’s On Demand Sports and Fitness Channel, and select the yoga option.
Unfortunately, I had surgery last month on my ankle so I can’t practice yoga yet. But I will definitely make it a point to meditate for the next 21 days!
I happened to do some yoga yesterday so I’m in as well! I’ve been meaning to make yoga a habit rather than a sporadic activity for… well we won’t go into how long it’s been. I think today will be some relaxing PM yoga for me before bed
I’m in! Thanks for setting up this challenge. I teach yoga 2x week, and I will definitely try out the lunar class since I have been looking for a “p.m.” yoga routine!
I’ll give it a try! Great idea- I would have never thought to do this without your inspiration. Bring on the firmer, thinner thighs…. oh and the comfortable sleep too!
I’m a day behind, but I’m with you!
I’m in! I go regularly already, but I’ll take this as a challenge to do some type of yoga at home on my ‘off days’ from the studio!
I was just deciding that it was time for my own 21-day yoga challenge and I found your blog again! Love it and am excited to have a community doing the challenge too!
I’m with you! I practiced Saturday & Sunday so I’ll say I’m on Day three!
I am in! Within those 21 days do you have to stay clear of the bad habit completely or is it ok if you slowly cut down?
I’m so late to the game in committing, but I’m in. I would love to stretch myself to practice on my long run days. I can only imagine I’ll feel that much better afterward.
I’m 3 days late, but I’m in!
In! Feeling great after day 3!
Delayed, but I’m in! Started yesterday. Thanks for the motivation
I didn’t read your post until yesterday thanks to a tech free vacay at the cottage but I’m in! Day 1 yesterday complete!
I’m 4 days late, but I’m in, starting tonight. Because I just took a shower and I don’t want to have to take another one before church.
So… I must have missed this post, but I’m going to join in now! Since it’s the 10th, I’ll just do my challenge from now until the end of August. Perfect! Great idea!
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