Yoga January

I have practiced 30 minutes of yoga every day this month to help raise funds for Cancer Research UK. When I signed up for the challenge, it was one of my new year's resolutions to honour a friend, who recently passed away from the awful disease. I knew I'd feel good doing yoga, as I have done it before but my practice has lapsed over time. I also knew I'd feel good raising funds for a good cause. But I didn't realise, just how good.

I started to sit a bit taller when I sat down, stand a little taller when I was standing, gliding along as I walked with the imaginary piece of string lifting up my head. I felt lighter on my feet and I noticed that I smiled more. My tight muscles felt looser after all of the daily stretching. I'd forgotten how amazing a good old stretch to the side of the body feels. The release of hanging forwards and just letting go; breathing deeply in and out and letting go of all that tension. What was not to like?

I started to look forward to my escape onto my yoga mat. It was like being on a boat in the middle of a really calm ocean and where I could switch off from life and reality for half an hour. On more manic days, I did ten minutes here and there and made up my 30 minutes time over the course of the day. This was also lovely because I did a task, like some chores, then have a stretch, go on a long dog walk, then stretch some more and after a bout of driving, do the final stretch.

I know I am sounding quite smug but if you aren't already a yogi, then please try it - even if just for five minutes. It really does make such a difference to how you feel physically and mentally. I suffer from migraines and after some yoga, my pain disappears. I get back ache but regular yoga has soothed that too and my bloating has gone down, as I am not crunching over my abdomen while slouching, so my body can digest my food properly. I am calmer, serene and zen.

Namaste.