After a three year lapse in my practice, I returned to yoga on November 25th. My goal was to attend class 4 or 5 times a week and find some serenity and strength. Little did I know that five weeks later I would begin The Challenge.

On January 2nd I went in for my 10am class and was asked if I was doing The Challenge. I had a solid list of reasons why I couldn’t: childcare, schedules and life in general.  Once in the class, Theresa asks who’s doing the challenge and says “you’re doing it right, Emily?”, to which I replied “I think you just talked me into it”.

So the 40 days began…and I have found myself at weekend classes I have never attended before. I have enjoyed the diverse teaching styles of three new instructors in five days. Each day another posture that was a challenge or impossible the day before becomes easier to do. My goal at the end of 40 days isn’t to take a break or relish in my fabulous 1 year membership. At the end of 40 days I will be able to do a headstand: the most overwhelming and challenging posture I have encountered to date.

Each day a new section of my body speaks to me. From my back to my legs to my abs…to those intercostal muscles just below the collar bone. Today is only Day 6 and I have never felt stronger, happier or more alive. I can only imagine what Day 40 will hold!