Tuesday Shakeout: Yoga, anyone?

Building a new habit, one down dog at a time

Lest anyone take me for a hypocrite …

It struck me while working on the RP Level Up Challenge that I’ve been applying the same principles found in Level 1 to create an at-home yoga practice. Just like an aspiring runner builds the foundations of a running habit with a mix of personal accountability and thoughtful adjustments, so it is that a wannabe yogi attempts to make good on an age-old promise to practice more. 

My primary goal is to get on the mat at least three times a week. In pursuit of that goal, I’ve spent time thinking about creating an environment that helps me achieve said goal. To wit: 

• Moving my yoga mat into the room where I like to practice. 

• Keeping a block, strap, and pillow on hand in case I need them. (I never need them unless they’re not at arm’s reach, in which case I absolutely need them.)  

• Creating a warmup routine that involves foam rolling, gentle stretching, and a bit of core work to get my mind and body in a nice space to practice. 

My other yoga goal – perhaps the biggest goal of the whole endeavor – is to embrace the principles of non-judgment. I’m not trying to get better at yoga. I’m simply doing yoga. Whatever happens after that will inevitably happen. 

In this week’s Shakeout for paid subscribers, we go deeper into manifesting an open mindset while pausing to reflect on some of the things I miss about running in the fall. Plus, an injured runner reckons with his watch metrics.