My favorite aspect of yoga is the feeling I get when I’ve finished my practice – Accomplished, relaxed and glad that I spent some time on the mat. Sometimes I feel this way twice a week, but sometimes I miss my practice over and over again. This week, I’m going to challenge myself to bring yoga back into my daily routine by focusing on a different type of yoga for each day. I want to feel challenged, calm and inspired throughout the week and I’m hoping that the positive energy that I receive from a daily routine will transfer into other aspects of my life. You can join me on my yoga journey! I made a list (and each day includes an alliteration because I couldn’t help myself) so it’s easy to remember and follow along. If you miss a day, just pick up where you left off. You can comment below to share your progress! Make sure to evaluate how your body feels after a week of daily practice. If you feel better then when you started, why not start the week over again next week?

Sun Salutation Sunday – I’m starting the week with a routine we all know and love. Sun salutations are good for the heart and can enhance posture and focus. Get up early this Sunday morning and enjoy the benefits of yoga before breakfast! I resolve to do at least one set of each series before I make coffee. Well.. maybe I’ll do them as the coffee is brewing.

Meditation Monday – When the work week starts, I find that it is beneficial to focus inward. There is always a lot of new information coming my way every Monday morning, so I want to ease myself into the flow of the job and stay motivated all day long. I’m going to spend some time counting my breath and bringing my stress level down before I start my work for the day. There’s no rush like the getting-ready-for-work rush, so I’m hoping my positive mental energy will calm the tension.

Teammate Tuesday – This is the day in the week where you can see if a friend is up for the challenge! Find a friend and learn to balance together in a double down dog or partner boat. My plan is to practice with my boyfriend, and we’ll probably spend our time laughing at our inability to hold the poses for very long. It will be a day of exploring new poses and having fun with the practice – That’s what yoga is all about! 

Warrior Wednesday – The midweek workout! I’m planning on trying to refine each Warrior pose and see what makes each one unique. Warrior 1 strengthens your shoulders, arms, legs and back, while Warrior 2 relieves backaches and increases stamina. Warrior 3 can strengthen the ab muscles. I’m currently partial to Warrior 1, but maybe that will change in this exploration of the warrior postures. No matter which one you prefer, all of the postures will help to increase strength and help you conquer the rest of the week.

Thursday Twists – Time to reduce some back pain from sitting at a computer all day! It feels amazing to practice yoga twists. I always gravitate towards twists when I have a few minutes to stretch out, and it helps me to de-stress from any situation. My favorite twisting postures are Prayer twist, Spinal twist and Thread the Needle pose. This practice might take longer than the others because it’s hard to stop twisting once you’ve started.

Flexible Friday – I’m planning on ending my work week with the relaxing Let It Go Yoga practice. I find that Let It Go Yoga is great for increasing flexibility while staying relaxed and letting go of tensions that are stored in my body. I love this style because I still feel challenged from the class even though the practice is done lying down. It’s already a win-win, and knowing that I have the whole weekend ahead of me to enjoy? Triple win.

Savasana Saturday – I will definitely use Saturday to reward myself by sleeping in, then taking out my yoga mat and staying in savasana for as long as I deem necessary. It sounds incredible already and I am so ready for it… It just might take all day.

Have a great week of yoga!

Contributed by Emily Parsons, Certified Let It Go Yoga teacher, Actress, Writer and Comedian in Los Angeles, California.

Want to know more about Let It Go Yoga? Start here with our Diaphragmatic Breathing Video!