Like so many things about yoga, what we do on the mat is a microcosm of what we do off of it. In the big bad world out there, no one really cares that we can stand on one leg and balance into Warrior III, but everyone would agree that being able to fall safely and protect our bones is an important life skill. Our meditative practice doesn’t necessarily give us bragging rights, but it teaches us that moment of pause for stressful situations. We know that yoga makes us happier and more settled, that it gives us a way to integrate our mind, body, and spirit, that it lowers blood pressure and helps with glucose levels…. and yet there will always be times when our practice gets derailed by life. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and the sooner we admit that this is happening, the sooner we can fix the problem. Here are some tips that have worked for me.
First of all, I think it’s helpful and emotionally healthy to take the time to reflect on what we’ve been doing. Perhaps we’re not so much de-railed as de-incentivized, and it’s always helpful to pinpoint exactly what’s not working. Is our asana practice getting repetitive? Are we finding ourselves depressed by circumstances and generally dragging? Do we need to shift our focus to pranayama to booster our energy? Depending on what’s going on, we may need to change something up and see if that helps.
Injuries and health issues pose different challenges. Perhaps we have to modify our practice, or even take a break from asana completely. It’s good to remember that there are different forms of yoga, and perhaps it’s time to try something new. When was the last time we read a book about yoga or the Sutras (jnana yoga)? Or the last time we attended a kirtan (bhakti yoga)? Personally, I find the practice of loving service (karma yoga) necessary to my well-being; I can always take a moment to do something for someone else. If I’m sidelined in one area, I can look at it as an opportunity to try something different.
COVID isolation has proved problematic as well. When our connection to the sangha, or community, is stretched as it has been these last two years, it’s easy to feel that we’re performing in a vacuum. Again, there’s always a way to reach out – if Zoom classes are all we have at the moment, we can always text or call our yoga friends. And again, this is a great opportunity to try connecting via a book or magazine or web site.
Finally, I find it important to remember that the yogic path as laid out by Patanjali has eight different branches. If asana and meditation are getting stale, might we try focusing on the yamas and niyamas for a change? Or would walking and chanting help soothe our souls? Do we need to do some journaling, or even just rest? When was the last time we practiced restorative yoga instead of something more active?
Life on life’s terms is a tall order. We all do the best we can, and still there are times when we need to back off, re-assess, and change things up. I hope some of these ideas will be helpful for you. If you have different tips, please share them in the comments below!
Yoga Cielo Stellato 