It’s Tiki, your yoga mascot, here wishing you a very happy Monday!

This week I would like to tell you about my new exercise regimen. You see, I love watching y’all practice yoga from the comfort of my pretty pink house, and I somehow thought I was getting vicarious exercise benefits just by observing the classes. Apparently that isn’t the case. This week my mommy told me that I needed to start taking longer walks with her, and sometimes even running, because I was starting to get a fat little Tiki-belly. She explained to me that if I continued to not put in the effort, my Tiki-belly would continue to grow, and I could become unhealthy. But this exercising sounded like so much work, and not nearly as fun as kicking back in my house, watching you guys do all those challenging poses.

But I decided to be open to this new experience. Who knows – maybe I would enjoy getting out in the beautiful weather and stretching my legs some more. It was really tough the first day, but I stuck with it, and the second day we went out, it seemed to be a little easier. Now I started to become motivated because I was feeling even better than I had imagined I would. Here I thought I was just going to endure this new exercise program to appease my mommy, but the better I felt, the more I wanted to stick with it. And then I really became motivated when I started noticing some surprising benefits – I felt more energized throughout the day, and the soreness that I sometimes felt in my hips was disappearing! I guess my mommy was right – it does take some effort to get the results. But the amazing thing is that often the results are even greater than what you had hoped for. I know I am already experiencing benefits that I never even imagined. Now I have more energy for wrestling with my kitty-cat brothers and for working my watch-dog position at the studio.

Because I’ve observed so many yoga classes, I know some people come to yoga for the sole purpose of stretching out their tight legs and hips. But after a few classes you realize how many other benefits you’re getting; you’re less stressed out at work and feel more energized and alive throughout the day. Being open to that new experience of yoga and putting in the effort yielded results you couldn’t have predicted, and now you feel so much better because of that effort. So remember to be open to those new experiences, whether it’s a yoga class or a new workout routine like mine. Put in the effort – really give it your all. Whether it’s with your yoga practice, your job, or your family, when you put in the time and give it your best effort, the rewards can be greater than you ever imagined! Be sure to share this message with your friends and family to help motivate them, and of course post it where you will see it so that you will also be reminded daily to put in your best effort with all that you do!

Namaste,
Tiki