Hello Yogis.

Is the practice of yoga a waste of time?

Recently this question has been pushing my buttons. It is one that I raised with myself when viewing the yoga path from the perspective of someone who has made that leap and dedicated my life to a regular daily practice and to experiencing all I can from this wonderful path and sharing that knowledge with others. Ultimately I was pondering the question why people fall by the wayside?

I see so many people start yoga and then after a short while, decide not continue on the path.

Others get hooked and make it their life’s journey.

I personally believe that each one of us is born with a blueprint of circumstances, challenges, achievements and experiences that we are driven to fulfil or to overcome, to accomplish or to inspire.

Yoga, may or may not be appear to be an obvious part of your blueprint. You may be more inspired to become an accomplished musician or to swim the channel, or even to literally conquer that mountain.

For some of us, the path on which we are meant to tread is one of nurturing and self sacrifice, where one is inspired to work for the benefit of another in some capacity. Even the role of parent could be seen to stand alone, where some people enjoy having a large family, and they dedicate their time completely to the pursuit of the family needs and happiness.

The above is what makes each of us so unique and so inspiring in our own way!

Each of the above can be practiced with yoga in mind, through the eyes of the greater good and through conscious action.

What are you gaining from your practice?

Exploring further the question above, “Is the practice of yoga a waste of time?”

I think the answer to that question is definitely no but the benefit you gain from your physical practice does depend on why and how you decide to practice, and how often you take the journey.

They say yoga is not about how you practice, but who you are when you practice.

Regardless of the other wonderful commitments you have in your life, the benefits of fitting yoga into your life, even just once a week are widely known to those who practice.

If your practice is sporadic, i.e., “once in a while” or “when I can make it”, then you may not begin to feel the desire for more of the physical, mental and emotional fulfilment and the positive physical effects that yoga, when practiced on a more regular, and in a more committed fashion definitely brings. The level of practice where real transformation takes place, where your life begins to improve with effortless ease.

Below are the reasons, I believe yoga is not a waste of time!

Through the regular and committed practice of Yoga, you begin to understand the inbuilt habits and traits, that may be driving your life silently unseen, and not necessarily in the right direction. These may be physical habits, mental habits or emotional habits. Every time you arrive on your yoga mat, you bring to it whatever dominant habit or trait is around you and you will be able to sense it, view it and change it, through your attention and intention and through the support of your body and your breath.

A regular practice of yoga can lead you to better understand the physical limitations that can cause challenges to your day. You will become aware of your posture from moment to moment, training you to begin to protect and nurture yourself physically.

Your physical habits and traits, as mentioned above, are gently ironed out. If you have a physical challenge that cannot be overcome, Yoga can help you to move forwards in complete acceptance, banishing any of the fear or resentment that you may be holding and thereby freeing you to move forwards towards better experiences and a different focus and perspective.

Energy levels fluctuate through the day, and from day to day, and you will be able to bring a balance to your physical body and energetic systems through a daily practice that aligns with your needs at any particular time. This may mean doing a more empowering practice if you feel emotionally depleted or a more restorative practice if you feel physically exhausted.

Yoga becomes your friend and it is a tool that will work with and alongside you for the better health of your self and also others around you…

This leads me to another misguided observation and one that I have been told many times in my life, and that is that others may perceive the practice of yoga as being ’selfish’.

You may even feel that way too, like you are being selfish by taking the time out? Particularly when trying to calve time out of your busy day and when balancing your responsibilities.

Lets look at that quote another way…Some may view the fact that you hold half an hour or an hour for yourself each day, as being selfish!

When it is written down, it sounds silly doesn’t it!

Be aware that you may be subconsciously feeling that you do not deserve to be taking that time for yourself. It is true that some people are threatened by the fact that another may be self sufficient and has the foresight to give time to themselves. So if anyone you know starts to knock your practice time, remember this…when you are happy, others are ultimately happier. When you make time for yourself, you will be able to rebuild your own energy, thereby having more energy to give back to the other people in your life.

Ultimately, Yoga is a mental practice first and foremost. Therefore the small amount of time you spend on the mat each day, is literally a practice ground, where you begin to understand yourself, as mentioned above, and then following that insight, you should strive to remain aware of the lessons you have learned about yourself and to begin to use this knowledge to empower change in your own thought patterns and behaviours, moment to moment on any given day.

This is invaluable. Rather than being stuck in your ways, and feeding a self tendency, Yoga helps you to get out of your own way, to liberate you into the world, where you are then free to make the best of every day, every relationship and every experience that comes your way.

How can I help you?

In April, I will be holding a workshop aimed at helping you to put aside a few minutes each day, meeting with yourself, your physical body, your energetic body and your mental body, on your yoga mat, through a regular daily practice of yoga.

Places have filled quickly in the past, and I have an early bird price running through March, so why not take a look and book yourself that special time.

Full details of the workshop can be found here.

So if you have attempted yoga in the past, and have let your practice slip, if you have never tried yoga or even if you are seasoned class yogi, you may find that this workshop will help you to build the best relationship you could ever hold for not only yourself, but your whole family too!

If you took the workshop once before and need a nudge to complete the process, why not attend again!

It would be lovely to see you!

Carrie-Anne.