Mysore Challenge

Back when I was a newbie the owners of the shala held an event called the Mysore Challenge, prizes could be won. I remember it was kind of a big deal with a big poster with all participants and dates to check off for attendance. It was kinda fun to see where everyone else was in the challenge. All you had to do was practice every day for the entire month, with the exception of moon days. And if I remember it correctly it was held in the month of March which would mean 29 days in a 31 day span.

I know that there are lots of practitioners that practice every day, challenge or not – but I’m not one of them. I don’t practice on Sunday’s.

The reason for this is; as part of my MS treatment I inject medication every Saturday night. The side effects of this medication are flu like symptoms, fatigue, and mood changes on Sunday’s – in general I feel like crap. Over the last year or so these symptoms have been bleeding into Monday’s.

I’ve been having conversations for years with my neurologist about stopping the medication. I’ve believed and do believe this medication is the reason I’m still walking. This medication slowed MS progression and has basically held it off or delayed the progress to get me where I am today. A “normal” course of this medication would be to stop taking it after age 50. It was believed that after age 50 the disease is not active; therefore, the medication is not required. So at around 55 I decided to stop, however symptoms from when I was first diagnosed came back. And so I went back on the meds again. Not so sure about the “normal” course anymore.

I have always been a partner in my disease progression with this doctor which has been a true blessing. And to stop taking my medication is a huge decision. But for some reason now feels right.

So I made the decision to stop.

Sunday’s are now free – don’t know what I’m gonna do with myself.

But I found something…..

My Boxing Day post about not being able to bind in Marichyasana D got me into thinking what am I going to do about it. Ya I know this is not a big deal but I was shocked when I stood on that scale on Boxing Day. I was lulled yes lulled – I ended up here by accident slightly on purpose – ha.

When that Mysore challenge occurred I was not able to practice on Sunday’s but now I can so I’m going to do the Mysore challenge in my newly renovated basement. I started this challenge the day after Boxing Day (December 27) which just happened to be on a Sunday. I will continue up to and including January 27 (January 28 is a full moon) which will represent 30 days practice in a span of 32 days. There is a full moon on the 29th of December and a new moon on January 12 – the rest days – wu-hoo!

It’s a good way to motivate me along with the impetus of the Boxing Day weigh scale.

It’ll be on the honour system….you can trust me….right.

Wish me luck.

Be safe.

Update:
At time of posting I’ve completed day seven and have a ways to go before the next moon day ( coulda planned this better). Already I’ve practiced on a day I would have just sluffed off and slept in – I’ve got a feeling there will be a bunch more of those days.

You could join me and start your own challenge……