Yesterday’s was a short and simple practice. I was tired and headachey (giving up sugar has ruined my alcohol tolerance, more on that in an upcoming post) and to be honest was quite close to just skipping practice altogether. But, remembering the discipline that was one of the focuses of YWA’s Revolution, I got on the mat and was glad that I did.
Adriene said at some point during Revolution that showing up for yourself every day can be so much more beneficial than doing fewer, longer, practices (or something to that effect, anyway). I am finding that now that I take this time for myself each day, I’m much more productive during the rest of the day, almost as if I don’t resent having to do necessary but unexciting things because I know that I’ve carved out some time which is purely for myself. I’ve always tried to do things like read every day, but they’ve always been fitted in around all those necessary things. Deciding each morning when I’m going to do yoga and then blocking out that time in my schedule feels very different, in that I’m actively drawing a line around a particular period of time and identifying it as “me time”. Having that as part of my routine, I feel more able and willing to get everything else done.
I’ve also decided where I’m going to go next in terms of my practice. Ekhart Yoga has a ten class programme on the Yamas and Niyamas, which are the first two limbs of the Eight Limbs of Yoga from the Yoga Sutras. My plan is to take one class per week, do that class a couple of times and then supplement with other practices while focusing on and reading about the relevant sutra/s. I’m hoping that this will enable me to develop both my practice and my knowledge of the underlying philosophy. I’m particularly looking forward to getting into the latter in more depth. I’m a sceptic at heart, but I think there is a lot to be gained from yoga without having to blindly buy into the more spiritual side of it. Anyway, that starts with the next practice and take me through the next ten weeks. I’m excited to see where I’ll be at the end of that time, but must keep reminding myself that the journey is the reward!
300 DAYS OF YOGA 