My First 30 Day Challenge

Cassie completed her first 30 Day Challenge in Canada at Moksha Yoga Halifax. She got so much out of it... although the main things she learned weren't what she was expecting!

I went into the 30 Day Challenge with my typical type A approach to competition: 30 yoga classes in 30 days would be hard, but it would be something worth telling people about and would undoubtedly grow my practice substantially.

Upon finishing the challenge, however, I realised that what I got from it wasn't related to the bragging rights or physical training at all. To sum it up in one word, what I got from the challenge was humbleness. 

Practicing yoga everyday really put things into perspective for me and forced me to start recognising the needs of my mind and body rather than the desires of my type A personality. There was some days during the challenge where I was on top of the world: my balance was on point, I could hold lunges for ages and camel pose had nothin' on me. There were other days, however, where I was physically, mentally or emotionally exhausted. These were days when, outside of the challenge, I probably wouldn't have come to yoga at all. These were days when I forced to recognise that not every practice can be a superstar endurance practice. These were days when I spent a lot of time in child's pose or savasana, respecting the limits of my body and giving it what it needed rather than what I would normally demand of it.

It made me realise that yoga can't be about competition: everyone's body is so radically different each day that comparison would be pointless. I realised that comparison even to myself on days in which I had more energy were pointless. I realised that the practice isn't about being the best. It's about accepting that where you are today is good enough - and that this edge is going to change each time you step on your mat.

Every time I complete a 30 Day Challenge I learn something new about myself and about my practice. Committing to yoga - even on days where you think you couldn't stand to do it - makes a huge difference in often unexpected ways.

- Cassie