Simple, Basic Yoga

Yoga is everywhere.
It has evolved from a practice of specific followers into a full-blown trend - a good trend!
There are so many variations and so many combinations of practices with other methods of exercise that everywhere you turn, there is a new way to appreciate yoga.

I never got into yoga until it became one of the only real activities I could really do with all of the complications my health created. Kayaking and yoga are now my two passions of activity. Every now and then I will get this intense inkling to do something more active - like when I was younger and used to get random urges to run and could simply leave the house at any time of day or night and go running. Now when I get that restless feeling, I definitely can't run, so (instead) I will get up and do a few stretches, maybe run an errand and walk a little bit to pick up medication, or - if it's nice out and I am really lucky - I will get to go kayaking with my dad. 

Yoga remains my most constant activity... and that's really saying something... because for about 6 months I could barely even manage practicing yoga.

I may not be able to perform pretty poses or even build strength enough to improve upon my practice in a consistent way, but what I can do is still amazing to me. The fact that I can still have strength enough to do any stretching at all, including building muscle strength, is successful in my books. 

I may not ever successfully be able to manage difficult poses. Really I cannot even manage downward dog with the pain in my shoulder blades. I may never have this picturesque yoga page, covered in the most awe inspiring positions. I may never look majestic when I practice yoga. I will almost certainly never have perfect form, no matter how hard I try (especially because of the curvature of my C-spine). What I CAN say for certain is that when I can practice yoga at all, it is a GOOD DAY!

I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. 

I have a multitude of other illnesses. 

I practice yoga for myself. Today I am using my Nomad yoga mat made from recycled jeans. I love my mat. I love being able to stretch and enjoy my yoga practice again. Most importantly, I love the chance to meditate and really sink into my muscles. AS may be a struggle, but it has also opened my eyes to activities in which I never thought I would participate.