Ways to succeed in consistent practice boils down creating the life you want. Because at the end of the day, following a path that feels authentic to you is how you carve a life that feels more meaningful to you.
If you are reading this or in this group, it’s because you have been attracted to yoga and are interested in learning about this path and practicing it. Each person has a different intention and varying levels of interest. But in general, everyone here believes that practicing yoga is beneficial for them.
I will be sharing with you a series of questions I have gathered from some of my favourite empowering books to help you stay on track and to bring this nice idea into action and reality. These questions are intense, so really set aside some time to sit with them. You can choose to keep it for yourself or share it with me, life coach, or therapist if you would like additional support.
1. What do you want?
A lot of people don’t know what they want. In fact, I remember being asked this years ago, and I couldn’t answer the question. The truth is, sometimes we don’t know what we want because we haven’t given ourselves permission to desire or permission to create big goals. We get so caught up in the how we’re going to get there that we lose sight of the actual goal. So, write down what you want. Start what you want to feel, experience, create, and contribute.
3. Are you following a path that you think is expected of you?
For many of us, it’s hard to know what we want versus what our parents or family wanted for us. So many of our early decisions are made based on what our parents told us they see for us. And even into adulthood, we fear disappointing our parents. This fear holds us back from expressing ourselves authentically in the world. What I’ve found from working with countless people is that most of the time, the fear isn’t rooted in one’s current reality. Their parents adjust.
4. Are you following a path that you wanted 10 years ago? Do you still want it?
Human beings are not static creatures. We are constantly changing and growing and adapting. Maybe the path you set out on 10 years ago involved a different set of values. Maybe you’ve learned a lot about yourself since you made the decisions that set you on your path. Give yourself some grace, meet yourself where you are today, and explore the ways you’ve changed. What parts of your life need to play catch up to meet the current you?
5. Can you accept where you are?
Obviously, we can’t always be totally happy and at peace with our current situation, but no matter what you’re seeking (a relationship, a move, a new job, new community, more money), you must meet yourself in your present moment and accept the person in the mirror. This is the person who is responsible for getting you where you want to go. Do you trust the person staring back at you? Do you believe in them? Can you accept them?
6. What are some of the typical excuses that you use to avoid creating the life you want?
After you’ve assessed whether or not your life feels aligned and fulfilling for the person you are today, think about what exactly is holding you back. If someone were to ask you right now why you don’t have your dream life, what excuses would you make about the things that hold you back?
Hidden in these excuses are beliefs about what you’re capable of or what’s possible for you. Confronting these thoughts and proving them to be lies you tell yourself is the final and most important step in living an authentic life.
So, for now, don’t worry about the “how.” First figure out the what and the why you want it. The strategy comes later.
Remember: No one can hold us back like ourselves.
And if the story we create about ourselves is that we can’t create the lives we want, we rob ourselves of all agency.
But you have agency. You have the ability to give yourself what you want.
If you are reading this or in this group, it’s because you have been attracted to yoga and are interested in learning about this path and practicing it. Each person has a different intention and varying levels of interest. But in general, everyone here believes that practicing yoga is beneficial for them.
To ensure that yoga doesn’t remain just another nice idea or something you think you “should be” doing, take a moment to reflect on how many times a week you want to attend classes or practice at home.
Before discussing how to adapt a practice sequence that suits your time and energy levels, as well as your intentions behind it, we need to address whether your current practice schedule is clear. By doing so, you can ensure that you have dedicated time for your maintenance and wellbeing. First it’s important to figure out what is it that you want to do before getting into the “why” and “how”. Is there a calling to practice yoga?
It seems that many individuals who struggle with consistency practice at random times, with their practice days and times changing each week. Take a moment to evaluate your work schedule and responsibilities to determine which days you can realistically commit to practicing at the studio or at home. Identify the specific days you have scheduled to practice at the shala and at home. To ensure you can stick to these scheduled practice days, it’s important to strategise. Consider factors such as when you finish work the day before, whether you will have enough time to rest when you get home, if you can prepare a nourishing meal, and if you can go to bed early enough to get 7-8 hours of sleep. If your current routine does not allow for these factors, it’s unrealistic to schedule an early morning practice on those days.
Failing to accomplish this unrealistic plan will only leave you feeling disempowered and discouraged. When it comes to strategising, it’s important to be skilful. Many individuals who struggle with regular practice have a random schedule, which is not ideal for the body. Very few people can practice in the evening and sleep deeply waking up early the next day. It’s healthier to stick to one routine, choosing either practising in the afternoon or early morning, instead of changing routine every week.
Sleeping in on some days and waking up earlier on others disrupts the body’s sleep routine. If you would like to establish an early morning practice, it’s recommended to give yourself three months to slowly adapt to that routine. Start by practicing at home or at the shala for a shorter duration, allowing you to wake up later. Then, gradually wake up 10 minutes earlier every week or every two weeks until you reach the ideal time needed for your desired practice duration. Abruptly changing your schedule while working and having a demanding lifestyle is not healthy or likely to be successful. Such sudden changes can be challenging for your body and system, leading to a negative experience. When something feels too difficult, you may feel disempowered and resistant to repeating the experience. This abrupt change can also leave you feeling tired and affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. This vicious cycle of getting sick, struggling to recover, depletion and unrealistic routines can be discouraging, leading to frustration and ultimately abandoning your efforts. It’s important to recognise that this is not a good strategy. Instead, focus on gradual and sustainable changes that allow your body and mind to adapt without feeling overwhelmed. This approach will empower you and increase your chances of long-term success.
Stay tuned for the upcoming blog posts that will explore other important factors in establishing a consistent yoga practice routine