What I've learned from having a yoga practice
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word ‘yoke’ or ‘yug’ which means “to unite” – the union of mind and body. The practice itself allows you to reconnect and come back into your body, to tune into yourself and be curious about what is happening within. A few years ago I was an occasional yogi, doing it from time to time and not really seeing the benefits aside from feeling a little bit calmer after a practice. But as the years went by and I began to show up for yoga, in the good and the difficult moments of life, I learned a lot about the practice and about myself. My flexibility and balance improved, my ability to tolerate stress was better and I felt more energized and present to what was happening around me. Here are some of the life lessons that yoga has taught me:
1. You are stronger than you think
How many times do we show up for something and the moment it gets hard or looks challenging, we assume that we will fail? Sometimes we won’t even try. Practicing yoga is one of the things that makes me feel powerful because although I may not nail every move, I surprise myself with my ability to hold certain moves that work your core for much longer than I think when I keep pushing through.
2. Let go of perfection
We can be so hard on ourselves. We can also hold on to unrealistic expectations about how we should be able to do something and always get it right. Some days we show up and we’re really present and connecting with the practice, easily transitioning from one move to the next with more ease. Other days we’re not, and that’s ok.
3. Be aware of what your body is telling you
Yoga often starts by taking a deep breath and coming back into your body, checking in with yourself and seeing what you’re feeling. To recognize if you’re experiencing tension somewhere and see any challenging emotions that may be coming up. Yoga has allowed me to build better self-awareness and to tap into my intuition and the sensations and emotions that are coming up, instead of ignoring them. Ofcourse no one wants to feel the pain in their body or painful emotions, but by bringing your awareness to them and accepting that this is what you are feeling right now, this is the first step towards being able to show up for yourself instead of wishing you felt something different.
4. Practice self-compassion instead of self-judgement
I’ve learned a lot through yoga about being kind to myself and asking myself in difficult moments “What do you need right now?” and following my practice by some type of self-care practice. Maybe my gut is telling me that I’m burnt out and need to plan some time to recharge and have a night out with friends. Regardless of what’s it’s telling me, I have a choice. We all have a choice. Listen to that voice and be open and willing to accept what you’re feeling and show up for yourself or choose not to.
5. Set an intention for your practice. Better yet, begin every new day by setting an intention.
I love the idea of setting an intention for your yoga practice. You can carry this throughout your day or chose to focus on it only during your class. Clarity, peace, acceptance, love, gratitude, forgiveness – whatever you chose, it gives you a focus and a goal to keep you grounded to why you’re here and what you want to get from your practice. It reminds you of why you’re doing this and gives us something to come back to when your mind wanders. It’s choosing something that you want to cultivate or amplify through your practice. What if we could start every day by setting an intention? I wonder if we might cultivate a positive mindset, if it could be an opportunity for growth and personal transformation throughout the year. Only one way to find out.
