What does an hour of daily yoga do to you

'What's the best song you ever wrote?'

Someone asked Duke Ellington what the best song he ever wrote was. His reply:

'I haven't written it yet.'

I try to maintain that optimism for my own future but a month ago I woke up feeling old. I plodded into the bathroom; my feet hurt; my back was stiff. Feeling like this is understandable if you've earned it, but I couldn't pinpoint anything I'd done to feel that way.

Maybe I slept wrong, I thought; and then the thought that sleep could injure me made me feel even older.

What's the best song I ever wrote? I don't write songs.

Alright then what's the best I've ever felt. When was my peak?

Being honest... I've woken up stiff and sore for some time. The last time I sprang out of bed pain free was after Yoga Teacher Training. It only took 4 months of 6-10 hours of yoga every week to feel that way.

That morning I decided I would do yoga for 1 hour every day, for 5 weeks.

What's the best my body has ever felt? I tell you in 5 weeks. I have some work to do.

Why five weeks? If you do 5 weeks of anything fitness related you'll see a major result.

The kind of result that your friends and family will notice.

The kind of result that'll enrage your ex.

As you read this I have completed 30 of the 35 hours of yoga. To make the journey more fun I select a favorite album to play front to back while I practice. 35 hours. 35 albums.

What have I noticed?

Would you believe I've become more flexible?
Nagging wrist and knee injuries have disappeared.
My strength low to the ground has improved.
I move better.
I've gotten deeper into The Police, Incognito and the Brand New Heavies.

This morning I got out of bed, walked into the bathroom, and turned on the shower before I noticed: not a hint of stiffness or soreness. I just walked into the room.

Maybe I slept right?

Movement is medicine and you want the minimum effective dose. I already had a strong yoga practice and wanted to feel a noticable change. That called for a heavy commitment: 35 hours. If you're reading this thinking of beginning your own journey start with 15 minutes.

That's where I started 10 years ago.

Who knows? Maybe 5 weeks from now you'll be on your mat, your favorite music pumping, deep in a pose that a month ago you didn't think was possible. Your family and friends have all noticed how comfortable you look in your body, your ex is driving by your house an extra time every week. People notice you're doing something and someone just comes out and asks you, 'what's your secret'?

You tell them.

'Is this the best youve ever felt?'

'I'll tell you in another 5 weeks.'

The best you've ever felt? Your peak? You haven't written it yet.