Yoga- for Flexibility AND Strength; Part 1.

I just started a “9-to-5” job, which isn’t too bad...except that I’m left physically

aching after a full days work! My shoulders ache, my neck mucles are sore, and I struggle to wind down at the end of the day.

What I usually turn to for pain relief includes a heating pad (I like to call them “bed buddies”), different yoga poses, and ever-so-sweetly asking my boyfriend to rub my back. These things tend to provide some temporary relief, yet- I’m frustrated that I’m relying on ways to stop hurting every night. If only I could prevent myself from being sore in the first place, I wouldn’t have to do these things...

Enter personal revelation here!!!*

Among a few other things, I rely on yoga poses throughout the day to aid my muscles in feeling better. But what if I’m neglecting that OTHER important, often-neglected-by-me-facet of practicing yoga; doing yoga for strength? Hmmmm... So I began to wonder:

“If I do yoga for flexibility AND strength, can I get through a long days’ work and at the end of it be happy and pain-free?”

Following this thought from earlier today, I got inspired to add new challenging poses to my yoga practice. In tonight’s flow, I incorporated long and powerful leg lifts, an invigorating warrior series, and a few extra chair-poses for good measure (who doesn’t love a good burn?).  When all was said and done, I felt energized, strong, and encouraged to make this integrated practice more of a regular thing.

I have a feeling, that soon, I will strongly and confidently make it through the entire day; not just my 9-to-5

*Technically, my boyfriend suggested this. But it makes sense... and at one point, I swear I had made this realization myself (;