Bring It: P90X Day 46

Bring it is a series covering my ongoing personal journey with the P90X system, created by Tony Horton. Through lots of sweat, maybe a few tears and a lot of popping sounds along the way (what can I say - my body is getting old!), I have pushed past the halfway point. So far, the results have been noticeable, not only physically but mentally as well.

If you would like to start from the beginning of this series, please click here. If you want to read about my previous day with P90X, click here.

Feel free to leave you comments below. I love hearing your success stories or your tips. I also love the little extra kick of motivation. You guys are what have kept me going strong for this long already and I appreciate that. Hopefully I will be able to show you a whole new me by the time this is done.

Today was Yoga X and these old bones weren't agreeing with the workout. With every balance posture there was popping and cracking going on. I am not sure if my body was against the Yoga this morning, or if it has been against it the whole time and today it finally gave in. But, like usual, I feel great. I feel taller; I feel stronger, and I am definately stretched out.

Yoga is an essential part of a regular workout. Not only does it increase your strength and flexibility, but it also works on your cardiovascular system as well. This will help improve all other workouts; heck, this will improve everything you do on a regular basis.

I know when I first started P90X, I was not it's biggest fan. However, the longer I am doing the program, the easier it is to push play. Maybe I am just getting that flexible that bending over to insert DVD is no longer a stretch. Yet, I find myself enjoying Yoga X more and more.

I encourage everyone, male or female, to give Yoga a shot. It will do wonders for you and I am able to fluidly move through movements now that I used to struggle with. I think Yoga has made all the difference!

Yoga originates out of India, where the practice of Yoga is based off the Indus Valley civilization to promote spiritial growth, according to All About Spirituality. While many have started incorporating Yoga into a regular regiment to promote a healthy body, the main reason behind it is to promote spiritual developement. Some may argue that Yoga is not spiritually safe. However, I can't say I believe that.

Yoga is about clearing the mind and finding yourself. If you happen to find God on the way (whichever God you choose to worship) that is for you personally.

According to All About Spirituality, "Yoga teaches us to focus on ourselves instead of on the one true God. It encourages us to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within our own conscience instead of in the Bible. It also leaves one open to deception from Satan, who searches for victims that he can turn away from God."

I only show this because I know Yoga has conflicting feelings for some, yet, I can tell you even though I practice Yoga, I do not feel this way. I think it is a great way to connect with yourself. That is important if you truly want to grow as a person, and you can keep your religion out of it.

Yoga has been around for a long time, and according to the American Yoga Association, the classical techniques date back more than 5,000 years," based off the desire for greater personal freedom, health and long life, and heightened self-understanding."

The modality has spread throughout the world and is intended to bring together the body and mind in one harmonious experience. Yoga focuses on three main structures: exercise, breathing and meditation, which is intended to increase the efficiency and total health of the entire body. With meditation, we can quiet the mind and heal from daily stresses.

Yoga has been in the United States since the 1800's but it wasn't widely known until the 1960's. Since then, it has increased in popularity, as people realized the benefits of practice.

Yoga will still draw some disbelievers regardless of how many benefits a person can attain from practice. However, the American Yoga Association states that Yoga does not interfer with religion. It is used mainly for dealing with stress better, learning to relax and increasing your flexibility all while becoming more aware of yourself.

Anybody can practice yoga. The hype behind the religion or cult aspect of Yoga is something a person will have to battle with themselves. Hopefully after some research, you can make the decision yourself to practice. The benefits far outweight the hype.

If you want to read about Day 47 click here. Find out why a schedule really keeps you motivated to stick to your workout!