Hi, I am lucky enough to have been on a trip of a lifetime travelling around India at the beginning of this year. I was not expecting to get in touch with my spiritual side while I was there, but it happened! I returned to the UK relaxed and in a frame of mind I had never experienced before. However, I also brought back more than a few extra kilo as a result of enjoying the cuisine way too much! So my challenge is to keep the wonderful feelings of calm, hope and tolerance I brought back with me from my travels, but to also ditch the extra weight from all those delicious Indian dishes. Challenge 1 - Mind This is the level up challenge I have set myself. While I was away I was taught how to give a full Thai yoga massage. However, I am not yet confident to practice this on anyone other than my partner. I know the individual moves, but I am yet to remember the routine to give a nice flowing and relaxing massage. In the 6th week of the challenge, I will give a full Thai yoga massage (1.5 hours) without receiving any prompts, cues, notes, videos etc. I will grade this massage as follows: A = no prompts B = 1 prompt C = 2 prompts D = 3 prompts E = 4 prompts F = more than 4 prompts Challenge 2 - Body - detox I have been hitting the sugars far too much lately and my skin, figure and energy levels are all suffering as a result. I need to eat clean. I want to start eating the rainbow of nutrients and stop eating the alphabet of additives. My biggest weakness is a cup of tea with biscuits. So that is what I am going to get toughest on. For the entire 6 weeks of the challenge, I will not eat biscuits or drink tea. I will grade my success as follows: A = no deviations B = 1 deviation C = 2 deviations D = 3 deviations E = 4 deviations F = more than 4 deviations Challenge 3 - Body - slim This is where I am going to shed those extra pounds I am carrying. My current weight is 11 stone and 8 lbs. Over the 6 weeks of the challenge, I will try to lose 10lbs, I will grade success as follows: A = 10 lbs lost or more B = 8 or 9 lbs lost C = 6 or 7 lbs lost D = 4 or 5 lbs lost E = 2 or 3 lbs lost F = less than 2 lbs lost Challenge 4 - Soul I fell in love with yoga in India, and I feel it is so beneficial for the way I think, feel and view the world that regular practice will do wonders for my soul. I have a set routine I do at home, and the option of a lunchtime class once per week and an evening class once per week. For the next six weeks I will practice yoga at least three times per week. I will grade success as follows: A = 6 weeks with 3 sessions B = 5 weeks with 3 sessions C = 4 weeks with 3 sessions D = 3 weeks with 3 sessions E = 2 weeks with 3 sessions F = 1 week with 3 sessions I will keep updating with progress, this is my first challenge so all encouragement appreciated, and I will try to be as supportive as I can for all you other Druids. Ohm shandi, PMA
