Can you believe it’s already 2019?!

I’m having a hard time believing it myself and I’m still writing 2018 when I write out the date at work haha.

It’ll definitely take some getting used to but I’ll get there. 

So it’s a brand new year and it’s that time when everybody is making resolutions as to what they want to do or change to better themselves.

I was never one to make resolutions and this year is no different.

Instead I am continuing to work on things I started this past year.

A yoga journey

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Getting into self care

Towards the second half of 2018, I started practicing better ways to take care of myself.

Self-care is the word, and it’s a big one being tossed around a lot lately.

Self-care can mean different things to different people, we all have our own ways of taking care of ourselves and showing us love. 

Introducting yoga into my life

While on a much needed break from work, I got into practicing yoga.

Now let me tell you I was NEVER the flexible type, in fact I was pretty much the opposite.

If you told me to straighten my legs and bend over and touch my toes, I would laugh in your face.

Hard.

If you told me to sit down cross legged on the floor and keep my back straight, again, I would laugh in your face.

My body simply did not do these things. 

However one day I decided to try it out, seriously.

I dibbled and dabbled in it before, but I never stuck with it because it was simply too hard trying to do all the bendy stuff and holding those positions for extended periods of time.

Also it was a little slow for me.

I was used to heart pumping, jumping, punching, squatting and fast paced kinda workouts.

My failing body

The lower half of my body really suffered this past year.

All the standing for hours on end and walking around at work on the hard concrete floors really took its toll on me.

I stopped doing the workouts I loved because my knees and feet really couldn’t take it.

After not doing anything for a while, I really wanted to do some sort of form of physical activity that would help keep me fit(ish) and strengthen my body.

Enter Yoga with Adriene.

I love me some YouTube.

You can literally find almost anything you need on it FO’ FREE!

I was searching different yoga videos because after a bit of research, I found that you can use yoga to help heal and strengthen different parts of the body.

After trying out a few different people’s videos, I stumbled across Yoga with Adriene.

Thank the Lord.

I really couldn’t handle some of these people’s videos, some of them are just too much, too perky or too Zen like.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with those things, but the combination just wasn’t what I was looking for.

Adriene’s videos, while they are still pretty Zen, were great.

She’s got a really cool personality, cracks little jokes, and makes the practice enjoyable; and she’s got like a gazillion videos on yoga for just about anything and everything.

Practicing 30 days of yoga

One of the things I particularly like and what started my new love of yoga are her 30 day practices, or yoga journeys we can say.

She takes you through 30 days of yoga which helps you strengthen your body, improve your mood, get in tune with your breath, and most importantly show yourself some love.

Getting stronger, physically and mentally

I noticed improvements in my strength and mood within the first few weeks.

And let’s not forget the flexibility!

I mean, I’m still not flexible but my flexibility has definitely improved.

You know that thing I was talking about earlier?

The whole bending over and touching my toes with my legs straight, well I’ll no longer laugh in your face if you ask me to do that.

So for this new year, Adriene released her new series: Dedicate- A 30 day yoga journey.

Let me tell you I am loving it.

I am currently on day 16 and I feel gooood.

It really is a journey and I highly recommend anyone trying it out.

She’s very encouraging and gives nice words of wisdom for each practice every day.

New year, new me..jk same me but now I do yoga

I now love getting on the mat and taking those first soothing and deep breaths leading into the practice.

Like who am I??

But I really love this new part of me and am really trying to carry the things I’ve learned on the mat out into my days.

The positive outlook and Zen like mind, the breathing.

For anyone looking to make a positive change in their life, this is a great place to start.

I’m happy to continue on my yoga journey and (in the words of Adriene) finding what feels good.

Till next time! Stay Blessed ♡

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Always remember it is your journey and yours only

-Natalie Asaaad

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