Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny. -- Upanishads
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Staying in the Hot Room
Submitted by Camille on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 21:00.
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Do you ever ask yourself why you practice yoga in a hot room? Do I really like this style of yoga, is it really for me? Why do I put myself through this torture?
Are you looking for the nearest exit?
Are you tempted to quit and start something new, tricking yourself into believing that you need a new challenge rather than sticking with it and deepening the learnings in a more profound way?
Or do you have the courage to find a lesson in the challenge by noticing your feelings and the changes in your own body?
Here is a helpful pointer to help you learn the most from these moments:
Every time you start thinking of an "escape route", start to pay attention to the way things are: your breathe, the position of your body in space - this is the beginning of keeping yourself 'in the present moment'.
While stretching up a storm, the discomfort of discovery may challenge your ability to withstand the 'heat' or the offerings that your practice is presenting you. Embrace the challenge, breathe, enjoy the growth. Maybe not even right at that moment.
I think one of the major differences between Beginning and Intermediate yoga practice is that the teacher stops telling you when to take Child's Pose or a Savasana and leave it up to you. It's all a part of getting to know your body and realizing when you need a break.
You have a lifetime to explore and develop your yoga practice. Learning to work at your own level and listen to your body is one of yoga’s greatest lessons.
--Camille
To me, it 's all a part of the process...
"To get it" is a goal which strives you and motivates you to keep coming; since you like doing yoga, what does it matter if you do get it eventually? Or when do you get it?
It will be interesting to know how you would feel if you eventually could get farther. Then what??? :)
--
Namaste
Danny
www.yogavancouver.net
I dont ask myself why i practice but i ask myself why i cant seem to get farther into the poses when i have been going for so long now. i dont know maybe you have to practice for years and years. I get very frustrated, mind you it doesn't stop me from comming. I love comming to yoga that is just one thing that really frustrates me.
There are times when I look at myself in the middle of class and say, I KNOW I CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS!! I may push myself to do better or I may give into being easy on myself. Either way, it is MY practice and I thank myself for being there. Yoga isn't a competition, it is YOUR time to love yourself and to give to yourself. I find patience goes a LONG way in yoga, especially in a hot room...When I start judging myself, I take a deep breath and smile, tell myself to remember, it is a PRACTICE, NOT PERFECTION! Remember to smile:)