Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge

February 1 - February 21, 2012
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  • Fanfare for February Yogis!

    Oliver R. posted to Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge 1 year ago

    Om Shanti and Congrats!

    Last night at midnight, the February edition of Yoga Journal's 21 Day Challenge ended, and it was an impressive showing. Collectively, we logged nearly 23,895 minutes of meditation, and 2,053 yoga practices. Fifty of us made it to 50%, and thirteen got to 100% or beyond. Bravo!

    This month we had five teams participate, including a team from Argentina. A special shout-out goes to Team "No challenge is too BIG for us newbies!!" This band of ladies met on the site, and pulled together to make sure each team member made it to 100% of the challenge or beyond — even though none had done much, if any, yoga before. We heart them!

    SO, the challenge is over, and LONG LIVE THE CHALLENGE! Yes, we're making the 21-Day Challenge a regular monthly series. If you want to keep your daily yoga practice going, with support from your new best friends, stick around. We're also kicking off a few other challenges which you might enjoy.

    On March 1st, the Digital Junkie Challenge begins, our first ever "digital detox." We also have a more moderate yoga challenge designed especially for one exercise-challenged NYC chef, but wide open to all. (Chefs need all the support around exercise they can get!) And, of course, you can always start your own challenge on Social Workout at any time. See the links below!

    Thanks to everyone for your spirit and willingness to support each other in February. We are stronger when we stand together. Onward, yogis, to face new challenges together!

    Best,
    Social Workout & Yoga Journal


    Yoga Journal 21-Day Challenge: March Edition
    http://socialworkout.com/challenge/showRunning/24957

    The Chef's Yoga Challenge
    http://socialworkout.com/challenge/showRunning/24947

    The Digital Junkie Challenge
    http://socialworkout.com/challenge/showRunning/25060

    Browse All Social Workout Challenges
    http://socialworkout.com/challenge/index

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  • Last Friday Wahoo!

    von Hottie v. posted to Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge 1 year ago

    For our final Friday, Elise and Kate offer another round of back bends and hip openers. Please enjoy, and see bottom for today's challenge tip and recipe. Just five days left. Make 'em count.

    NEWBIE: Hip Openers with Rebecca Urban
    This hip-opening practice will help everything in your body move more easily.
    http://bit.ly/y6P34G

    NOT NEWBIE: Backbends with Elise Lorimer
    Align and refine your backbends through this series of standing and floor poses.
    http://bit.ly/zOg7hY

    CHALLENGE TIP:
    When it comes to sticking with a home practice, try asking yourself, "What do I really need today?" If you're tired, you might choose a restorative practice to replenish your energy. If you feel energetic, you might use a more vigorous session to channel that energy. If your practice is an expression of what's real for you in the moment, it will help you stay present during your time on the mat and you'll feel the benefits even more. Then you'll be inspired to come back the next day, and the next and the next.

    TODAY'S RECIPE: Nutty Sweet Potato Soup with Harissa and Spinach
    This warming and delicious soup is perfect for a cold winter day.
    http://bit.ly/whYMiP

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  • Tuesday Finish Line!

    von Hottie v. posted to Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge 1 year ago

    Day. Twenty. One. Hooray! Just one beautiful Tuesday left in our challenge, i.e. TODAY, and it's all yours for a great practice, and healthy meals, and deep meditation. Make it count. Next stop, the big challenge wrap up, and virtual celebration....

    NEWBIE: Yoga for Restful Sleep with Jason Crandell
    Wind down with this sequence of shoulder and hip openers and forward folds to soothe your nervous system and mind.
    http://bit.ly/z1PT7P

    NOT A NEWBIE: Side Bends with Jason Crandell
    This sidebending practice will help your entire practice and your activities off the mat.
    http://bit.ly/yzlmik

    CHALLENGE TIP:
    If you ever need an extra boost of inspiration to get on your mat, consider this: Just 20 minutes of yoga a day can actually change your genes. Scientists have found that stress-related genes change behavior in the face of the relaxation response, which is invoked during yoga and other meditative techniques.

    TODAY'S RECIPE: Zucchini-Goat Cheese Pizza
    Cheese pizza is a perennial veg favorite, but it often comes with a hefty calorie count. Here, goat cheese and thinly sliced veggies offer lighter alternatives to shredded mozzarella.
    http://bit.ly/yLNvzZ

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  • Monday and The Final Stretch

    von Hottie v. posted to Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge 1 year ago

    Greetings from Day Twenty, our second to last day! On the schedule for today: Side bends and crow pose with Jason Crandell, and an evening lunar savasana meditation with Shiva Rea. Enjoy your Monday, yogis!

    NEWBIE: Side Bends with Jason Crandell
    This sidebending practice will help your entire practice and your activities off the mat.
    http://bit.ly/xSV0bV

    NOT A NEWBIE: Bakasana with Jason Crandell
    Develop strength and form throughout the body as you move toward this arm balance.
    http://bit.ly/zUhZJS

    CHALLENGE TIP
    In any practice, do what you can. If your hamstrings are tight, it's OK to bend your knees. If you're unable to reach the floor, use a block. Props and modifications are great equalizers in yoga, and they can actually improve your practice by helping you maintain good form instead of struggling to achieve something your body isn't ready to do. Over time you'll develop greater flexibility and find yourself naturally able to do more.

    TODAY'S RECIPE: Garlicky Oven Fries
    Presoaking potato slices in hot water helps remove excess starch so they brown and crisp like oil-cooked fries.
    http://bit.ly/w7vR1c

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  • Thursday Practice: Enjoy the Ride

    von Hottie v. posted to Yoga Journal February Yoga Challenge 1 year ago

    Elise and Kate are back with asanas to stretch your back and open your hips. Click through below to get your yoga on, and keep us posted on your progress. Just five days left in the challenge!

    NEWBIES: Backbends with Elise Lorimer
    Align and refine your backbends through this series of standing and floor poses.
    http://bit.ly/yCyc9W

    NOT NEWBIES: Hip Openers with Rebecca Urban
    This hip-opening practice will help everything in your body move more easily.
    http://bit.ly/Ao2cNk

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#1 No Challenge is too "BIG" for us newbies!!
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About the Challenge

 

Welcome to the February Edition!

You've arrived at the right place for kicking your yoga practice, and your year, off to an amazing start. For the next three weeks, you'll be doing a daily asana practice and meditating, and generally getting your mind and body in order.

As you do each day's tasks, check them off! By the end of the Challenge, you'll feel delicious changes in your body, your concentration, and your attitude. It's true! Yoga makes everything better. 

Sign up here to receive the daily asana practice by email.

Here's what you need to do:

Form a team. Get some friends together and form a virtual team. Each day every team member will check off the basic Challenge duties he or she has mastered, and log any additional yogi fun they've had.

Going solo? Not a problem! You can still use the goal-setting tool to keep track of your own progress. This is especially helpful on those days you need extra motivation to unroll your mat. 

Got a question? Check out the 21 Day Yoga Challenge FAQ.

 Oliver R.
Find Your Team

Join a team or create your own! There are lots of teams on Social Workout, and each gets its own page. A team can participate in any challenge as long as at least one team member joins the challenge, and the challenge host adds the team to the challenge.

See teams currently in this challenge.
See all teams, and/or create a new team.

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