The voice from behind me at the Safe Street Austin holiday fundraiser bar spoke, unbidden, deeply timbred, but friendly. “I happen to know a dude. And I would like to thank him for introducing me to Yoga With Adriene’s Yoga for Cyclists.” Surprised, I turned, and there was a tall, not dark (if a little greyer), and handsome man. He was much taller than I remembered, since I was used to seeing him on a bicycle, usually only at the beginning or end of training rides. Because those long getaway stems and thin frame are far faster than this fat and slow dude. His eyes glimmered with mischief, or maybe it was not his first brewski, while I only had a sparky water. We chatted; it was nice to see him in person, not digitally only on Strava. As it turns out, although I’ve met Adriene, I’ve not seen this video, but I’ve been doing my own yoga for cyclists as of today for 11 years. And that’s not nuthin’.

Last year’s post on my yogaversary was pretty thorough. It will get you caught up if you missed or forgot it. There’s not a lot to add, actually, except now another year has passed. As Keanu Reeves said in The Matrix: “Whoa.” Every day is both simple and not easy. So maybe I do have more thoughts.

If I’m being honest with myself, I should subtract points again. Not that anyone save moi is counting. Because my practice has plateaued a bit. I often am doing only floor poses after a late night bike ride. And I’ve been fairly distracted and not very mindful while on the mat, either. I’m okay with it but am aware of a desire to improve and yet do not want to force it. I could go to classes at the gym, but then that’s another half hour plus another 45 minutes total of going to and from the gym, which is closed by the time I would need it.

For the last several Januarys I’ve done Adriene’s 30-day challenge. I expect I’ll do so again, and that will increase the degree of difficulty a bit. In fact, this year or maybe it was last I tweaked something while taking her video class. After that, I will see how I feel. Maybe I can switch it up and do some morning yoga, or earlier in the evening when I have more energy, and as a warm-up to winter biking. Or not. Gentle floor yoga that is restorative and helps the legs and rest of the body to recuperate from an average of 100 miles per week of cycling is what this fat old cyclist’s body needs.

Like most of life, yoga practice has ups and downs. This is normal. Whether one has a streak going, a regular practice (which is certainly more realistic and reasonable), or just does yoga occasionally, there are two things that are axiomatic, i.e, that ring true: yoga only works when you do it, and you get out of it what you put into it. So, do it or do not do it, there is no try, to paraphrase Yoda.

To recap my favorite Pro Tip: Leave your mat out (but don’t walk on it or put things on it). It will beckon you, if you listen.

Another year of yoga. Big whoop, right? In the grand scheme of things, it’s yet another blip. But for this dude, it’s something. Maybe it has helped my health, maybe not. Hard to tell. Sure, if I did it more vigorously, I would notice more benefits. But I do know that not doing it would definitely not lead to any gains. Barring a physical impediment, I’ll keep going. Maybe 2025 is the year of enlightenment. Probably not. Perhaps I have a little more mindfulness and prevent injury or recover faster, but it’s difficult to judge. So I just “focus on the process, not the outcome,” as James Clear says in Atomic Habits.

Whether I’m writing 12 years of consecutive daily yoga next year (and alive–because writing whilst dead is quite unlikely), we’ll see. It’s been a good practice. The streak is helpful, because if I skip one day, I might skip more days, then weeks… But it is onerous. I’ll be sad if forced to break it. I hope I’d get back on the horse. And so far, I have not been able to transfer the discipline of daily yoga to getting and doing a full time job. I did that (for 11 years, coincidentally), and it led nowhwere. Plus, the comparison is like apples and elephants–the prehistoric mastodon type.

But guess what? It’s time for a dude to get back on the mat. Here’s hoping you continue do your daily streak or regular practice,.ñ too, and that it has meaning for you.

“Those who know, don’t say. Those who say, don’t know.”

“Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.”

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