30 Day Challenge With Jojo

The 30 Day Challenge is now underway so let’s move into the holiday season peaceful, strong and grounded.

There is still time to join and we invite you to join our 30 day challenge. 🙏🧘🏽‍♀️💜

Participating in a 30 day yoga challenge means committing to yoga for 20 or 30 classes in 30 days. But it’s about more than just doing yoga each day. A Pure challenge month represents a personal commitment you make to yourself. It can often be easier to find time for work, family, and friends than to make time for ourselves. A yoga challenge offers you a structure for creating time each day to nurture yourself.

It’s an opportunity to revisit your favorite classes, move at your own pace, try new ones and new teachers who may inspire you.

And speaking of inspiration, please join in with our Jojo as she also does the challenge with you. We will be checking in with her throughout the challenge, but look for her in the classes and around the studio. She is an example of pure inspiration!

Below she shares her thoughts along the way.......
We encourage you to join in and journal too.

- My Journey Back to my Mat 

- DAY 1  

It has been about 3 years since I had a regular yoga practice at PURE. 3 years. Was this a part of my life that I was, now part of my past? Physical and personal wounds pulled me from my practice. I would practice at home, but without consistently. I continue to teach and that has been a beacon for me—but how authentic am I in my words as a teacher when I am not practicing myself? 

I missed the Community of attending classes at PURE. I missed practicing alongside the beautiful clients of PURE.  
I missed learning from the amazing teachers at PURE.  

I feel I’m in a place in my healing, that I can come back to my mat and the November Challenge is the perfect kick in the ass I needed to get me going. By sharing my journey, I welcome you to flow along with me💜.  

I took Angie’s Yin/yang at 1200. A perfect balance of movement and stillness.  
I felt stronger than expected and that was a surprise.  
It was a great class—thanks Angie💜.  
I drove home smiling and crying—so grateful.  
As I write this, hours later, I can feel my body feeling the class.  

Getting out of bed on the morning should be interesting…. 
Namaste till next time🙏

- DAY 3

Good news—I was able to get out of bed yesterday — however note that I did NOT spring out of the bed….
Ahhhh—muscle soreness—I feel grateful to feel that sensation as it is proof that I moved my body!!

Grateful that I am able to FEEL these physical sensations.

Today my class was Sarah’s Warm Core. It was super busy—awesome to see and a challenge to find my zone I practice. I like busy classes as I see them as a challenge to stay focused. At one point I thought my a** was going to spontaneously combust as it burning🔥🔥🔥🔥 I really felt the weakness in my left side— the core is so vital in yoga—good thing I’m taking this class!! Sarah is a great teacher and knows her core—and I know the songs in her playlist🤪

So far so good. I am planning out the next week of classes— it is helpful for me to plan ahead and then work life off the mat— making yoga the priority. Tomorrow I will take the noon Sculpt with Michelle— wish me strength…..

Namaste till next time🙏💜

- DAY 5

I feel every muscle in my body. This is concrete proof that I am creating new strength and space in my body.

I really feel the weakness in my left side. I had my hip replaced Dec 2021. The compensating that I did for the 2 years prior to surgery took a toll.

But that’s ok. I am strong and I can get back the strength I’ve lost. It’s up to Me. Only Me. I am worth dedicating and committing to my mat.

I pull inspiration from the other students in class. It is one of the things that I missed doing a home practice—the community of like-minded individuals. Sharing Breath. Sharing Space.

As I lay crying in Savasana—both yesterday and today—I feel safe to be able to cry on my mat.

Shedding tears of of realization that I have been cocooning at home for 3 years. What happened? The love of my life was killed in a car accident—home was, and is, a haven for me. This morning, as I lay on my mat, one of “our” songs came on. I had an “aha” moment— coming back to my mat, to the studio, in some way is proof that life moves on. That you cannot suspend time—life carries on.

I need to bring my practice back into my new life—my life without my love.

🙏

- DAY 6

The plan today was to take class at 6:30 am—until I woke up at 6:24 and realized that I had not set the alarm. I planned an early class as I had a friend coming over in the day and a dinner out. 

Now what?? 

With a Yogi Me on one shoulder and a Tired Me on the other, my brain started to debate—I would miss a day—that’s ok as I have done 5 days in a row! In fact, maybe this was meant to be! A wee rest. But then Yogi Me stepped in and suggested that I try to I see if I could move my date with my friend and then do Sculpt at 9:30. 

But I was sore and maybe a rest is good? 

But I am in control on my mat and I can modify if needed. 

Even laying in Savasana and doing breath work would be better than sitting on the couch. 

This is a Challenge—so challenge yourself!!! 

So I changed my plans and made my way to the studio. And to my surprise, I felt stronger than I did 6 days ago. I did the class and gave my best—inspired by all the students in the room. And Michelle is such a great teacher and helps you to believe in yourself 💜.  

Till next time-Namaste🙏

- DAY 7

Today I completely broke down in class. November 8 is the day that the love of my life, the father to my children, was born. This amazing man was killed in in a car accident June 26, 2021. My heart was shattered into a million pieces in an instant. I could not fathom the pieces ever being able to be put together again.

As I lay on my mat, listening to Kristine’s words, I felt the comfort of my mat and the safe space surrounding me and I began to sob.

A deep cleansing of my heart, making more space for healing, which continues daily.

Not what expected to happen today and so grateful that it did.

For the other students in class today, and Kristine, thank you for creating a space in class where I felt safe to bear my soul💜💜💜

Till next time—Namaste 🙏

- Day 11 on November 11.

As I drove to the studio for Michelle‘a moon Sculpt (gulp) class I was listening to a Remembrance Day service on the radio. I felt tears coming to my eyes as I thought of all those souls that were and have been affected by war. I felt so very thankful for the freedoms I have that those souls fought, -and continue to fight for.

Michelle honoured today with a moment of silence— setting the tone of gratitude for the class.
Surprisingly, I think I am a little stronger? In 11 days? May be…
This challenge is like a yoga retreat—breaking down barriers to make space for growth and self reflection and learning.

As I write this, I feel the new areas of soreness in my body—my leg where I have my new hip is sore—but it is a good feeling— knowing that that leg, that spent 2 years limping along, is making new muscle!! THAT feels amazing.

Tomorrow I’m hitting the mat for 6:30–I’ll double check my alarm this time!

Till next time—Namaste 💜

- Day 12

I am tired. My body is so sore—so many muscles have been having the best sleep🤪. Well, it’s wakey wakey time!!!! I can totally feel the difference in my leg where my new hip resides—I have lost so much strength. And that’s ok. I can walk, I can modify, I can participate. All great things.
Did I mention how sore I am? My Bestie’s response was “Fat doesn’t hurt—muscle does”.
I know that this is the tough part of a the challenge— when you’re tired and have to focus and use effort to walk through.
Knowing that your achy body is your strength coming forward, your fatigue is your resolve to come back to your mat. And you return.

Until next time- Namaste 💜🙏

- Day 14

Two weeks!! Holy sh*t—I’ve done more classes in 2 weeks November than I have in the past 133 weeks! Hmmmmm—how do I feel about that? Truly, I am really happy to be practicing consistently again.
As I’ve told students who have been away from their mat—sometimes life pulls you away from your practice—your mat and PURE is always there waiting for you.
Today—AGAIN—I did not set my alarm!!!!! So 6:30 with Miss Ali is a no go. That’s ok—I must have needed the sleep. So off to 1000 Sculpt with Michelle😬. Good news!! Michelle went rock climbing last night and she couldn’t feel her arms!!!! She was standing like a T-Rex! Don’t get me wrong, I had empathy for the soreness she was experiencing but I was also secretly pleased thinking that class would me a little more low key…..I was incorrect. Not that I was surprised—Michelle led by example 💜.
Big bonus was to be practicing along side Kris—so so thankful that she chose to take a huge risk and open PURE. I am so humbled to be beside her—both on and off our mats.
I listened to my body today—modified when needed. And completely inspired by the strength of both body and mind of the others in class today🙏.
Tomorrow I look forward to a little yin/yang at noon💜.

Namaste till next time💜🤗🙏

- Day 17

I had a wee Grief hit yesterday— one never knows when that is going to happen.
My energy was quiet this morning as I went to class as 8:30. One of the best things about being on the mat is that, for however long the class is, your mind is centred on the class. I appreciated the respite for my mind—and heart.
And when I lay in Savasana, I shed gentle tears and allowed myself to feel, release, and give thanks to myself for coming to class and for the silent support from my fellow yogis💜.
The Challenge is a beautiful way to practice Ahimsa or Non-violence. Ahimsa is one of the ethical tenets that are known as the Yamas (one of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga)
In class today, I needed to modify—I listened to my body and was kind to myself. I respected the boundaries in my body and skipped a few Chaturangas in practice. Simply coming to class is Ahimsa in practice—doing something that is healthy for your Self.

That is all for now💜.

Namaste🙏🤗💜

- Day 20

One of the best things about doing the challenge is reconnecting with the truly amazing PURE people (PP’s—hmmm—when I say that out loud maybe not the best acronym….but being 63 and menopausal, it may be more accurate than one may think 😬).
When I say to students that they inspire me, the truly do. I feel so much support from my neighbours on the mat— whether I know them or not. That is the community of yoga—sharing space and breath. What a precious experience💜.
One of the other great things about the challenge is being able to experience the uniqueness of the teachers. Each one has their own style, strengths and gifts—I thank Kristine for cultivating a team that teaches from the heart, which in turn, touches each student’s heart💜.
In only 20 days, I feel stronger on my mat. If you do the work, you will experience change. Change for the better.

Namaste until next time💜🙏

- Day 22

I am on the home stretch!! And I was very proud of myself yesterday— I was on my way to take class at 9:30 and left at 8:30. Giving me lots of time to get to the studio—or so I thought….the roads were awful and so backed up I decided to turn around and go home. I gave myself grace to miss a day as I know that the roads would improve and I would take class Friday.
I live in Riverbend which involves both Glenmore and Stoney. I found this distance from the studio to be a solid reason/excuse to a home yoga practice. The key to success is actually DOING a home practice. This I found difficult to do consistently. Doing the challenge I have erased that excuse from my mind as the BENEFITS of practicing within the PURE Community FAR outweigh the distance and time of travel.
I can absolutely say that I AM stronger and more flexible in just 22 days. What a gift and wonder the human body is.
Through walking with a cane for over 2 years, a herniated disc, aging and a broken heart,
my beautiful amazing body has responded to the yoga challenge and is there for me Strong and steady. I am so grateful💜.

Until next time, Namaste 💜🙏

- ALL DONE

Yesterday I completed my 30 th class and completed the Challenge. In the past month, I have laughed, cried, ached, and every thing in between. Oh, if yoga mats could talk what a tale they would tell…
I was reminded that the only obstacle in my path is me. It is me that cultivates excuses—it is me that discards those excuses to move the forward into difficult things.
I have proven that I am capable of whatever I put my mind to. The key is to value my Self enough to maintain the things that fill me and make me better—both on and off the mat.
Those days when my heart is so sad and I feel like hiding in a dark corner— those are the days when I must push myself to my mat as I know that is what will shift my energy.
I am in awe and humbled by the all my neighbours in class that I have practised alongside. So many beautiful humans💜.
I am off to Red Deer to look after my Bestie who’s getting a new knee so I won’t be at the studio for the next few days.
I wish all Challengers to feel the joy as you come to the end. Feel your new found strengths and insights—carry them forward with pride💜.
I hope my musings over the last weeks have touched you in some way.
Thank you for listening.

From my heart to yours, Namaste💜🙏