You know the hoo-haa about how yoga can change your life? Well, that is nothing compared to building your own home yoga practice.
Before I begin I want to put it on the record: what follows are my opinions and Marianne (also known as ZenPeacekeeper) didn’t even know I am writing this. This is my way of expressing my gratitude to her and spreading word about how original and beneficial her “30 Days of Yoga” is.
I tried the 30 days of yoga because I had been out of regular practice since August of 2009. Due to being bicoastal and transcontinental I did not have access to my regular yoga instructor or studio in NYC. And I can’t do my own home practice without some structured guidance due to my attention span….until I get my own teacher training….
Top 10 Reasons To Try @ZenPeacekeeper’s 30 Days of Yoga
1. A custom made video for you.
Say what? I know. But it’s not a scam. You fill out a detailed questionnaire which asks: have you ever done yoga before? to how does your body feel right now? So no excuses about no prior yoga experience or having to follow something made for a you who does imaginary backflips but realistically has back issues. And there are options as to which type of custom made video is best for you. It can’t get better than that.
2. No annoying music and ocean sounds in the back.
Yes, we have all tried some type of a yoga home video and after the first time filed it under “never again,” cursing ourselves for the money spent (even if it was on sale!). I don’t need it rubbed in my face that I am not at some retreat near an ocean in Bali. I am here; not there–there being wherever the instructor is showing off his or her perfect body levitating in the ocean breeze along with some new age world music coming from the sand and wind in the background. No, thank you. But this video is real. And Marianne is real. Because you are real. Marianne’s instructions are refreshingly gentle, clear, and functional.
3. You can keep the video forever.
In case you find yourself in the middle of a really bad week to even two weeks where you can’t create even thirty minutes for a practice, the video is yours. For keeps. You can start anew whenever.
4. You can take it with you anywhere.
Unlike a yoga practice where you go to a studio or must go during certain time slots, this leaves you no excuses. “It’s too nice outside so I don’t want to do yoga.” Well, if you have a laptop you can carry it outside. Yep, I sure did that, and it was awesome. “It’s too cold outside so I can’t really do yoga.” Well, turn your video on your lap top or computer right there in your room–yep, in that little snug corner. Maybe some days you will practice in the morning and other days in the evening. Maybe some days you will bring yourself to yourself for ten minutes in the morning and thirty in the evening. At the end of the day, learning how to have a home practice gently creates the space for you to engage with: what do I mean when I say I want to do something compared to when, if and how I get around to it. And most importantly, how do I handle myself and others when I can’t or don’t?
5. You can contact the instructor anytime.
Marianne is very accessible and there are no generic responses. She gives you the individual respect you deserve, where ever you are–mentally and physically–without judgment. She guides you through the necessary steps which lead to a yoga practice as you wanted to experience.
6. You connect with others who are also doing a home practice for 30 days.
Marianne shares how others are doing their practice (with permission of course). This is an experience in itself. It’s inspiring to learn of many others who have committed to 30 days of yoga and what strategies they are incorporating to do their best.
7. You get real love.
Marianne’s yoga newsletters “checking in on you” during the 30 days should cost extra. Really. These are not generic feel good platitudes about how yoga gets you a pass on life. She shares personal insights, wisdom from other yogis, and other great information, to get you back to your intention. Her advice is not over the rainbow but right there. Consistently. You literally feel her kind, compassionate, sincere presence throughout your journey.
8. You learn how to be kind to yourself (and therefore others).
It can be a daunting experience to have exactly what you thought you needed (practice at home) to get what you wanted (whatever your intention for doing this: get back in shape, have some quiet restorative time, keep up your practice if circumstances don’t allow you to go to a studio, or have fun and explore) and yet still feel unable to carry out your goal. This can be infuriating, confusing, and downright disillusioning. If I can’t do this despite having all that I thought that I needed to accomplish it what about other things? It forces you to, in the words of rapper Ice Cube, ‘check yo self before yo wreck yourself.’ The constant reminder to come back to your intention alters your approach to yoga and quite possibly other pursuits.
9. Marianne’s 30 Days of Yoga is full of compassionate surprises.
You get a lot more than what’s offered–from interviews with other yogis to pictures of restorative poses to extra…well, I am not going to ruin it for you. The journey with her is full of wonderful treats that feel like awesome freebies.
10. You make a commitment for 30 days.
When you make a commitment for 30 days you will be surprised as to what else you might commit to for those 30 days. Moreover, you explore what is is commitment. Instead of feeling not good enough about doing as you had ‘planned,’ you realize the best commitment you can make is to accept yourself in the moment just as you are. Getting yourself to commit to accepting yourself just as and where you are while you strive for ideal horizons is worth the 30 days, regardless of how successful you are within those days.
I have been practicing yoga since 2007 and the above truly sunk in by allowing me, myself, and I to collide–especially on those days when I didn’t or couldn’t keep my commitment. And despite my attachment to my favorite yoga instructor in NYC, Marco Rojas, I am not sure I could have learned this any other way but for a home practice as structured by Marianne.
11. Her awesome accent. I have always paid better attention to yoga instructors with accents. Even Marco has an awesome one.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely, thoughtful, eloquent post Annie. I am very grateful. Very, very grateful.
@Marianne – Oh please…it was so long over due, but I am always reminded it’s time when it’s time. With your June session coming up, I guess this was the perfect time. Thank YOU for altering my perspective about a home practice.
Reading your post has got me that much more excited for the June session to start!!
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never tried yoga. It was due to back problems and I was told that I would need one-to-one sessions, rather than practising it in a class. The 30 day commitment sounds like a great idea though:)