Yoga is way too hard! Do I have to do it? Is it necessary in the grand scheme of things? I used to think it was not. Yoga is one of those workouts that always seemed way too boring and “fluffy” too me. I’m sure I had this perspective due to ignorance and maybe a little bit of fear. This was, it always seemed to be everywhere. On morning TV shows and almost always threaded through Beachbody programs.

So, what did I do when I first started working our and came to the yoga exercises? You guessed it! I skipped them. Who need to do yoga? I mean I tried and it was way too hard. My mind wasn’t into it. Besides, what was the point?

Fast forward eight years to the writing of this blog and I actually look forward to “Yoga Thursdays!” I actually have a special name for my workout. Am I crazy? Well, my body and mind don’t think so.

Here’s what I have discovered, personally, by incorporating yoga into my weekly routine. It’s not “fluffy” at all. It’s empowering. Seriously. While I am not at a point to totally shut my mind clutter off during the workout, I do find my mind has a chance to let stress fade,. I also get a sense of energy that floods my mind and body. it’s hard to explain. I just end up feeling grateful for all I have.

From a workout standpoint, I am certainly more flexible. But the biggest thing I noticed was that these workouts improved all my other workouts and level of fitness. I would have never thought that! I am able to have better form and posture when lifting weights, doing pushups, core work and more.

The sheer challenge of yoga is another mental and physical benefit. The need to focus one balance and calm, well timed breathing seems to have this camling of the soul effect. Another one of those hard to explain feelings until you have experienced it yourself.

Now I am sure there are way more benefits than I am listing here. These are just a few that come to mind. I am so, so glad I decided not to skip the yoga workout when I started my second round of P90X. I would not do it during my first round and even skipped over it back when I did Power 90. I am so looking forward to doing the P90X2 Yoga workout again soon! I loved it!

I guess that shows me one more lesson I learned. Yoga helps one learn to grow and step of of their comfort zone.

My recommendation: if you hate yoga and think yoga is too hard, then you owe it to yourself to work at it no matter what. You may just find it to get a special day named after it each week!