It is all in the form!

It has been officially two months since I decided to start enjoying yoga again.  Two months, crazy how time flies when you are having fun.  AND for this journey, boy am I having fun.  I can not explain to you how happy yoga makes me feel.

I was a runner for several years, loved loved running, even ran a half marathon.  However, as much as I loved the sport, it truly messed up my feet and knees.  So it was time to find a workout that made me as happy as running.  It has seemed like FOREVER, but I am finally back at my happy place.  Now time to explore all I can about yoga, and enjoy every aspect of this beautiful sport.

 I do not know what pose I am supposed to be in here, our teacher had us doing some hard poses. 

I Enjoy a lot of yoga workouts at home,  sometimes it just works with my schedule.  I do enjoy going to different studios with friends, it is a wonderful way to socialize. About a week ago I went to a yoga class outside with the Charlotte Yoga Club.  WOW, that was so fun!!!

I don't have one specific studio yet that I have to go to, I am just exploring different ones.  My next type of yoga to try out is hot yoga, I hear positive and negative reviews so we will see.

I know how important it is to get the form correct on each pose. Which is why I really pay attention to how I position myself in each pose.  I even ask questions in class to make sure I am doing the pose right.  So for the last week I have been frustrated with what I call a "catch" in my shoulder blade.  I finally decided to ask my friend Nancy from Flying Yogini, from  the wonderful 365yoga community on twitter. 

Well I discovered why I had a catch, and what I need to be doing to help it.  She sent me a video to even help me see what she was discussing with me.  Guess what I was forgetting?????  WELLLL...I was adding in five Sun Salutations and practicing the Crow pose, with the normal workout.  BUT after the Sun Salutations I never went into Child's pose or Thread the Needle pose, to stretch out those muscles.  Silly me!!!! I know how important stretching is, so really what was I thinking? 

Here it a helpful video of the Thread the Needle Pose

Thread the Needle Yoga Pose: Side 1 -- powered by eHow.com

So from now on I will make sure to stretch, but I am also going to put off doing the Plank during the Sun Salutations until I go to a studio.  I want to check my form, I might be bringing my self down wrong, and that could be hurting my shoulder blade....

 So if you are new to yoga, be sure to get help with your poses.  In running I was used to muscle pain, and lots of it especially in the beginning.  With yoga you should NOT have continuous pain, and silly "Catches" in your shoulder blades. 

I love finding new yogi's, and their amazing blogs!  Go check out Flying Yogini, she is sharing her 365 days of yoga journey.  Nancy really is so inspiring!

Shanti Shanti Shanti
Namaste,
Terra