If, like me, you indulged a bit too much these holidays then you’ll be wanting to get back into a regular yoga practice.
It’s really important to start smart and build up to your pre-holiday practice slowly and gently. The greatest way to fail at your New Years Resolutions is to make them unachievable to start with. Trying to jump in too deep or back in after a significant break may leave you feeling disappointed or even worse, injured.
In order for our New Years Resolutions to be sustainable we have to ensure that they follow the yogic principles called the yamas and niyamas. In particular, ahimsa, satya and santosha may be of help.
Ahimsa – Non-harming.
In yoga we practice non-harming, understanding that harm caused to ourselves and others is one of the greatest disturbances to our own mental health and well-being. Pushing too hard to achieve a goal might result in injury or frustration which is a form of mental harm. Practicing gently with a lot of mindfulness will ensure you are able to identify any potential problems before they arise. Let your breath be your guide.
Satya – Truthfulness.
If we set out to achieve our New Years Resolutions telling ourselves it is for our well-being, but in fact it is to reach some unrealistic ideal of an Instagram-worthy body or talent or the approval of others, then this will also end in disappointment. Even if we achieve our chosen goal, it won’t result in the happiness we are after for long. Yoga teaches us that we need to be honest with ourselves as happiness can only come from looking within, not external things.
Santosha – Contentment.
We have to embark on our yoga practice from a place of contentment with who we are. That will sound quite strange I know. Often we think we have to achieve or get something to become content. But contentment is a state of mind that we must cultivate. What we focus on will only expand. If we commence our yoga practice feeling unhappy about ourselves, we will only see in our practice more evidence to justify that unhappiness. If we start out feeling content but wanting to see what our amazing bodies and minds are capable of, then we will see in our practice the daily miracles that unfold on the mat. What we look for we will find.
So even though I’m a little softer around the waist and my practice won’t be as it was in November, I look forward to getting back on the mat in my own way at my own pace. This is the beauty of authentic yoga. It doesn’t expect you to keep up with the ‘pack’, it’s personalised and therapeutic. It’s not about how you look or what you can do. It’s the journey of exploring what is individually possible and celebrating that.
As always our teachers are ready to help you to get back to good health and well-being in a way that works for you. I also can’t wait to help you find wellness and celebrate your little yoga miracles again this year.
x Lainie
PS. For those of you who need a bit of commitment and extra guidance to get you back on the mat, you might want to join one of our Beginners 2 Courses
Photo credit: Paulo Pinto www.trindade.photographyinfo@trindade.photography