Real talk from the mat (or… not the mat)
If consistency is the key to success, then consider me locked out of my own yoga journey.
April came in hot with ongoing back pain, Easter chocolate, some work travel and a stubborn refusal from my brain to pack the yoga mat in my suitcase. I had every intention of staying loosely committed to my yoga routine — or at least pretending to — but what actually happened was this: I did three yoga sessions. Total. And one of those barely counted unless you consider flopping on the mat and sighing theatrically a spiritual practice.
Yoga and back pain: a questionable partnership
If you’ve been following my yoga journey (and frankly, if you are, I’m embarrassed for you), you’ll know I’ve been dealing with low-level back issues for a while now. This month they dialled it up just enough to make me extra cautious — and maybe a little avoidant. I’ve been doing light mobility work (stretching, gentle movement, trying to look after myself without accidentally breaking myself), but full-on yoga flows just haven’t been happening.
The good news? I’ve got a physio appointment lined up next week, so I’ll either be on the road to recovery or be told that I now move like a retired sea captain. Either way, progress.
What I did instead of yoga
- Light mobility work, mostly focused on not making things worse
- A lot of walking (bonus points if done with a coffee)
- Complaining. This counts as core engagement, right?
Why I didn’t take my yoga mat travelling
Because I knew myself. That mat would’ve taken up precious luggage space and then stared at me with judgement from the corner of a hotel room while I ignored it. I chose honesty over guilt baggage. (Emotional and physical baggage, thank you.)
Looking ahead to May
I’d love to say May will be better. And it might! But if not, I’m giving myself permission to show up imperfectly — even if “showing up” sometimes just means sitting on the mat scrolling Pinterest for yoga quotes I’m not currently living by.
Oh, and for those keeping score at home — no, I didn’t take any yoga photos this month again. I keep meaning to. I do! But between the lack of yoga and the lack of good lighting, it just never happened. Maybe next month will feature actual photographic evidence of me doing yoga. Or at least wearing activewear for more than a coffee run.
So that’s my monthly yoga progress update for April: imperfect, inconsistent, and entirely human. But I’m still here. Still trying. Still holding space for something better — even if I’m not quite holding tree pose.
