leah, i am in a similar place as you. i have been interested in yoga for years and am using it this year to help create the new me physically and spiritually. i look forward to your entries. i am working on creating time for class at least 3x a week and creating a home practice. wish me luck!

I am so happy to finally meet someone with whom I share the same criteria. As a mother of 4, weight gain, back pain and depression and lack of time for myself have engulfed my life. But help is on the way! I have practiced yoga now for 2 years and I am telling you, my hubby is concerned that I am ready to leave for the monastery. Hmmmmm. Spiritually, I have been reborn into a realm that I never knew existed, and I am determined to go the distance.
There is something that is drawing people by the thousands to yoga and whatever it is, lets keep on doing it. Good luck to you Leah. Live, love, laugh.

Namaste,
Julie Brooker

Congratulations on beginning the journey Leah! My suggestion for working daily practice into your routine is to base the practice on how you're feeling that day. Make the committment to do it and like you said, carve out that special time. But don't tell yourself all day that you're going to do 1.5 hours of yoga that night, or believe that your practice needs to be challenging to "get anything out of it." Try getting up a bit earlier in the morning and see if you like practicing then. Or, you may find evening is a more preferable time. What works best for me is practicing for about 30 minutes in the morning and for 1-1.5 hours in the evening. My morning practice is a little more energizing and invigorating with some sun salutations and standing poses. My evening practice is slower-paced; calming, soothing, and spent almost entirely on the floor. Just what I need at the end of the day when my energy is lower. The trick is to "start where you are", don't put expectations on yourself ahead of time. Take into account how your body feels, how your energy feels, what your emotions are like, and tailor your daily practice - time AND content-wise - to your situation. Even just a few minutes a day is something! Best of luck to you!!

Leah,
Thank you for sharing! It is so inspiring to read your story all the great posts that others have shared in response. This is comming at a time for me when my practice momentum has been significantly low. Reading this blog has been a much needed reminder that the small shifts that take place (in and out of practice) are what come together to create our journeys. Thank you again, and be well.

Well done in starting. 2 years ago at 43 my partner gave me an unusaul xmas present: a 4 day intensive intorduction to yoga course ....over the xmas/new year break at our local sivanada yoga centre.....hmmm not many mince pies were eaten that week! its the best thing i have ever been given as its given me my life back. after moving to the UK at 40y/o settling in took its toll and exercise stopped and a pint in the pub was easier to relax. however by the time I reached a size 40 pants and 100kg i needed to do something. the idea of going back to a gym regime with limited results did not appeal. so i gave this yoga thing a go.....i havent looked back. it improved my overall outlook on life and helped me become body conscious and mindful. i no longer wanted to have that pint but looked forward to the class and home workout. so now instead of the pub happy hour i am doing a happy yoga hour. the end result was i could take up running again and this last year I did my personal best time ever in a 10km race in 46 minutes. so just practise daily, good bad doesnt matter just doing it matters....as Yoda said dont try just do! you never know where the journey will take you. Enjoy the journey as the destination in the end changes.

Hi, Leah. I'm really interested in reading about your journey. I started doing yoga a year ago to lose weight when I weighed 208 lbs (I'm 5' 4"). It was really challenging at first just to do basic stuff and the excess pounds was sometimes suffocating and interfered with poses. However, I discovered an instant improvement in my posture and back pain in the morning. Naturally, my outlook on life changed 180 degrees. Finding that inviolate time is key. I practiced between work and dinner, but with an attorney's schedule, you have a bigger challenge ahead of you. Maybe your best time would be in the morning as a way to energize yourself before work. By the way, I totally sympathize with your anxiety over the clothing. I still look at myself in the mirror in my tight yoga clothes (even after losing 50 pounds) and can't believe I'm going to go out in public looking like this. A triumph over ego and vanity is required, which is a huge part of yoga anyway. I hope you enjoy your journeyy as much as I have. It's changed my life!

Wow Leah, aren't you courageous! And inspiring, by just DOING IT!- It's really uplifting to read what you want, and how you're getting there... Mind if I "join" you :-)?
-Please excuse me now; I have a "Yogappointment" with myself ;-)!
Good luck, and: let's have FUN !!

Leah, I began yoga once a week in October 2006. Since then, I've begun trying to include it 2 or 3 times a week and am building up to beginning a home practice. My physical therapist started me on the path with yoga and gave me great advice: it's not like aerobics, you don't have to do exactly like the teacher. Pay attention to your body that day. And it's non-competitive. I love it. Good journey!

Hi Leah:
Beginning and staying with a home practice is very challenging for me as well. One of the things I found most helpful was to dedicate space in my home for my practice. A small table with a candle and a plant or a pebble or seashell can serve as an altar/focal point in front of my mat. I found the ritual of beginning my time with the lighting of the candle helped me to center and eventually enjoy the gift I was giving myself each morning. Good luck. I look forward to continued sharing.

My mom bought me the february 2007 isssue of yoga journal with your journey posted in it....and I have never felt so motivated.

You have really inspired me. I am going thru a lot of personal changes (divorce at age 24 and body changes and trying to lose weight) Hearing your story and your great attitude is really going to help me keep my head above water.

Thank you for sharing your story ^_^