This is the sight I was confronted with as I left the gym today.
It seemed impossible....
Can you guess what day today was at the gym? ;) Yep, you got it - it was legs day. Now being a bank holiday the gym was amazingly quiet, so quiet I got to spread out - now who doesn't love spreading themselves over the gym a bit? I had a barbell, a squat rack and a bench.....get me ;)
I conquered the stairs (AND the last three steps of the stairs at the apartment....the steps of DEATH) and have been sat down since I got home. I have to confess, I've not actually made it to the shower yet.....don't judge me with that judgey face on, you must have done it at some point....right? :p
I mean, I don't smell. Well. Not yet. Maybe if I left it another day to shower.... ;)
It seemed impossible....
Can you guess what day today was at the gym? ;) Yep, you got it - it was legs day. Now being a bank holiday the gym was amazingly quiet, so quiet I got to spread out - now who doesn't love spreading themselves over the gym a bit? I had a barbell, a squat rack and a bench.....get me ;)
I conquered the stairs (AND the last three steps of the stairs at the apartment....the steps of DEATH) and have been sat down since I got home. I have to confess, I've not actually made it to the shower yet.....don't judge me with that judgey face on, you must have done it at some point....right? :p
I mean, I don't smell. Well. Not yet. Maybe if I left it another day to shower.... ;)
Anyway, as you all doubtlessly know, I've been endeavoring to do 20 minutes of yoga every day. So far I've managed 17 days - whoo!
I've been practising yoga on and off for around 10 years now, it's amazing how quickly that time passes and another example of if I'd started on that day 10 years ago....anyway, no time for regrets. I've been working specifically on back, hip and arm flexibility and strength.
I've found that yoga practice is a beautiful thing - no matter how bad, irritable, tired or cross I feel when I start my 20 minutes, I never get up feeling the same way. It's such a complementary art!
I've made progress from where I've started and I'm looking forward to the gains in flexibility and strength I'll be making over the next few months!
Anyway, I thought it was time to share some photos with you to show you how I'm getting along here xD
I've been trying for a little while to get into a crab pose, but it's been a struggle to be honest. Either I didn't have the strength/flexibility or I couldn't work out how to actually move myself into the pose, but whilst trying to explain what I was wanting to achieve to Tom at the gym the other day, I just popped into the pose! Magic!!
Now, this is what I've got....
I've been practising yoga on and off for around 10 years now, it's amazing how quickly that time passes and another example of if I'd started on that day 10 years ago....anyway, no time for regrets. I've been working specifically on back, hip and arm flexibility and strength.
I've found that yoga practice is a beautiful thing - no matter how bad, irritable, tired or cross I feel when I start my 20 minutes, I never get up feeling the same way. It's such a complementary art!
I've made progress from where I've started and I'm looking forward to the gains in flexibility and strength I'll be making over the next few months!
Anyway, I thought it was time to share some photos with you to show you how I'm getting along here xD
I've been trying for a little while to get into a crab pose, but it's been a struggle to be honest. Either I didn't have the strength/flexibility or I couldn't work out how to actually move myself into the pose, but whilst trying to explain what I was wanting to achieve to Tom at the gym the other day, I just popped into the pose! Magic!!
Now, this is what I've got....
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If we compare it to a "proper" crab pose, there are still loads of improvements to be made, like straightening the arms for example - at the moment I think I'm closer to reverse table pose, but I'm pleased. I'll be keeping an eye on that to show you as it progresses - that photo was taken on my second attempt and two days later I'm already finding that straightening the arms is becoming easier :D
I've also been working on "crane" pose.
I got really excited today, because I managed to stay in the pose for the longest I've managed so far. Upon calling Simon over, excitedly telling him to "watch this, watch this" I managed to get into the pose, hold it for about 2 seconds and then land flat on my face.
Ouch.
I scraped my nose on the carpet *whimper* Apparently it looked funny enough to laugh at me though, hmppph!
This is a photo I managed to capture a couple of days ago before I hit the floor ;)
I've also been working on "crane" pose.
I got really excited today, because I managed to stay in the pose for the longest I've managed so far. Upon calling Simon over, excitedly telling him to "watch this, watch this" I managed to get into the pose, hold it for about 2 seconds and then land flat on my face.
Ouch.
I scraped my nose on the carpet *whimper* Apparently it looked funny enough to laugh at me though, hmppph!
This is a photo I managed to capture a couple of days ago before I hit the floor ;)
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Courtesy of emilyyoga.com
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Anyway, I have to move those knees up a bit. I've heard that crow pose (straightening the arms from the crane pose) is a little easier on the body, so I'll give that a go once my nose (and my pride) has recovered sufficiently! (If anyone has any experience with crow VS crane I'd love to know whether it is easier :) ).
I have also been working on the splits - the photos below were taken about a month apart, the one on the left was taken on 9th July and the photo on the right was taken today.
I've not made quite as much progress as I'd have hoped in a month, but I'm definitely closer to the floor, so I'll take that as a victory.
That front leg is also laying flatter on the floor - I have my ankle and calf resting on the floor in the latter photo, whereas the former is barely with my heel on the floor.
Hopefully in another 30 days we'll see more progress towards the floor!!
I have also been working on the splits - the photos below were taken about a month apart, the one on the left was taken on 9th July and the photo on the right was taken today.
I've not made quite as much progress as I'd have hoped in a month, but I'm definitely closer to the floor, so I'll take that as a victory.
That front leg is also laying flatter on the floor - I have my ankle and calf resting on the floor in the latter photo, whereas the former is barely with my heel on the floor.
Hopefully in another 30 days we'll see more progress towards the floor!!
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So, I'm pretty pleased - I know they look like a series of photos that need work, but that's always the nature of these things xD To keep going I've been looking for different sequences and things to try; looking round the web I've found some great little 20 minute sequences that are easy for anyone to pick up.
For example, if you're looking for a gentle stretching routine have a go at this - stretching is so important for athletes to maintain flexibility and range of motion, so it's really something you should have a go at. You might also find the "inner peace" I've been on about xD
For example, if you're looking for a gentle stretching routine have a go at this - stretching is so important for athletes to maintain flexibility and range of motion, so it's really something you should have a go at. You might also find the "inner peace" I've been on about xD
Or if you're looking for something a little more active and advanced, have a pop at this!
My favourite pose of those has to be downward dog. Or cat pose. Oh, or maybe cow pose. Which is ironic given how I feel about cows.
Do you have any favourite yoga sequences (or poses?)? Or do you know of any good 20 minute sequence generators? I'd love to keep adding variety to my daily practice!
Well, with all of that said I really do think it's time for a shower....and just fyi, I still don't smell. Honest....
Do you have any favourite yoga sequences (or poses?)? Or do you know of any good 20 minute sequence generators? I'd love to keep adding variety to my daily practice!
Well, with all of that said I really do think it's time for a shower....and just fyi, I still don't smell. Honest....
More stuff to keep you entertained :)
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If you liked this, check out my most popular blog posts here: 10 most popular blog posts
Or, if you're looking for something slightly different, there's a range of fitness funny memes, fitspo and cool crafts - check them out here: most popular links
Also: Don't forget to sign up for the newest blog posts straight to your email inbox!
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