For my free inquiry project I am going to be exploring the world of yoga. More specifically, my goals by the end of this semester are to have a regular yoga practice (4 sessions a week) and to be able to do a headstand. I have always dabbled in yoga but I have never been able to keep a consistent practice. I’ve signed up for many discounted first month memberships at yoga studios around Calgary and Victoria, but I have never bought a membership further then that (they’re always to dang expensive). I know that there are a lot of online resources, some of which are free, but I haven’t put the energy or time into finding a website or video series that will work for me that I can practice alone at home. I want to take on this project for a couple different reasons:

  • It’s healthy, no doubt about that. Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally.
  • I’m naturally quite flexible but I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older I am beginning to lose some of my flexibility – but I really don’t want to.
  • I usually have trouble sticking to a workout or really any kind of physical activity routine. I want to practice self-discipline and prove to myself that I am capable of taking time for myself (and for my health) four times a week.

To accomplish my goals, and because I like to set hard deadlines for myself, I’ve laid out the steps I am going to take each week. (I have only included the next month in this schedule and at the beginning of November I will lay out the steps I will take during the rest of the semester in a different blog post).

October 4 – 10

  • Research all the different yoga studios in Victoria to see if there is one that I could afford and will work with my schedule. I will attend 1 drop in class to the studio I think I will like the best.
  • Research all the online yoga resources (such as YouTube videos, websites, apps., etc.), both free and paid, to see if I can find a yoga instructor or program that resonates with me and will motivate me to continue my practice at home. I will try 2 different online resources (aka. following a video) in the comfort of my own home.
  • Write a blog post laying out my research (include links, videos, etc.) and decide on a course of action.

October 11 – 17

  • Start slow – complete 2 yoga sessions this week.
  • Research different types of yoga, the history of yoga and its emergence in the west (North America).
  • Write a blog post about my experiences starting a regular practice – how I am feeling mentally, physically, emotionally. Also discuss what I have learnt about the roots of yoga (include links, etc.).

October 18 – 24

  • Complete 3 yoga sessions this week.
  • Reach out to my friends who are yoga instructors or have practiced yoga for a long time to ask them any questions I might have at this point. Talk to them about their perspectives on yoga and how it has benefitted their life. Write a blog post about my conversations and reflect on my own practice up until this point.

October 25 – 31

  • Start my 4x a week practice (likely Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays)
  • Write a blog post reflecting on my experience, anything that I have learnt, and how I believe a consistent yoga practice has helped me (mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.). Also discuss the process of learning yoga through a free inquiry project and how technology has been incorporated into my journey.

November 1 – 7

  • Continue my 4x a week practice but also begin to work on more difficult positions that will further strengthen my core and arms (preparation for learning to do a headstand).
  • Research how I can prepare to learn a headstand.
  • Make a vlog speaking about my progress so far. Write out a week-by-week schedule for the rest of the semester that I can follow to accomplish my goals. Plan to include other forms/modes of technology to share my experience.

Featured image: Photo by Kaylee Garrett on Unsplash