I recently did something I’ve always wanted to do.

No—scratch that.

It was not something I always wanted to do. Just the opposite, in fact! A yoga retreat, while appealing for obvious reasons—including the opportunity to shape up and feel good on a warm and sunny Mediterranean island—seemed like a scary proposition, which is why I put it off for so long. Was I really capable of doing 4.5 hours of downward dogs, warrior poses, and headstands each day? I honestly didn't think so, but turns out that I was.

Besides toning up, losing a bit of excess flab, and eating three delicious vegan meals each day prepared by a private chef, saying yes to something I wanted to try but was frightened of allowed me to push through a mental boundary that said “you could never do that!” 

Setting goals, big or small, and ultimately crossing them off our lists once we’ve completed them is actually one of life’s great joys. Each goal we reach is a personal affirmation that we are capable and powerful and it gives us a confidence boost. Plus, life is too short to postpone things we really want to experience.

What are some of the things on your dare-to-dream list you’d like to tick off?  Would you like to run a marathon or train for a triathlon? Attend a writer’s retreat like this one run by author Joyce Maynard? Maybe you dream of starting your own catering company, or traveling to Varanasi, India, and taking a dip in the Ganges. Wherever your dreams and fear collide, I encourage you to push through and make it happen. Opportunities for growth—and, more importantly, opportunities for fun—await you!

I suck at yoga. I know it's not very yogic to say so, but there's just no other way to put it. 

After five seconds in warrior pose, my legs start to wobble and turn to jelly, and I sort of feel like crying. Headstand attempts nearly always end badly, usually with a loud slam to the ground and a lingering fear that I've damaged my back permanently.

The only asanas I excel at are the corpse pose (that's lying down on your back with your eyes closed, if you didn't already know), and the uber-comfy child's pose, which can lull me into a sleepy-kid coma in no time flat. 

Still, I plod along with a daily routine intended to keep my muscles supple and my spine limber so I don't end up like a witchy character from a Grimm's fairy tale.

To keep things interesting, I try to incorporate new stretches and poses into my routine from time to time.  The latest addition to my morning repertoire is this one, called ustrasana, or "camel pose." It's meant to open the heart and expand the chest area, but I really feel it in my lower back. At first, I could only do it for a few seconds, but now, I almost feel like I could hang out there all day.

What does your morning routine look like? Do you have a favorite yoga pose or other get-up-and-go ritual? I'd love to hear more and borrow your great ideas!