Motivation



Morning Marigolds, Rishikesh, India

“Constant practice alone is the key to success.” – Sri Pattabhi Jois

"An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory." - Sri Swami Satchidananda

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras say that a way to inner peace is a consistent yoga practice.   Easier said than done.   How do we motivate ourselves to have a consistent practice and keep learning, even if we sometimes just don’t feel like it?

Funny this should be our first topic because as I write this entry, I am sneezing and coughing from an unforgiving chest cold that has inhabited me like an alien invasion.  With my head feeling like a football-sized snot factory, the last thing I want to do is bring my puffy, pounding sinuses upside down in foreward bend.  

Though my cold has limited my normal practice, I've felt better by dedicating even just a few minutes of my day to whatever I can manage - a few gentle leg stretches and lunges where my head can stay lifted, pranayama (breathing) and then drinking green tea, usually while wrapped up in a blanket watching back to back episodes of Cake Boss. Okay, the last part isn't really yoga, but there's nothing like Buddy Valastro's antics to make you feel better.

Yogis say it's better to do a few minutes each day than an hour or more only once a week.  Consistency is key.  However, the simple fact is sometimes life will get in the way of our "consistency." It is just all too easy to get off track and there have been plenty of times where I’ve taken non-sick leave as well, not getting on the mat for days (or even weeks). I was just too “busy” with other things, too bored, too listless or let’s face it, just in a plain I-don’t-wanna-I’d-rather-eat-chocolate-in-bed state of mind.  

There is a reason the Yoga Sutras give detailed outlines of obstacles to our practice. Guilt and beating ourselves up have no place in yoga, only awareness of these obstacles and discipline to stay consistent. Ahimsa (nonviolence) and compassion are key, not only towards others, but to ourselves.  Everybody is different in what motivates them and I am still learning like everyone else, but below are a few things I've found helpful in the trial and error of motivating myself to get on the mat in those times when I’d rather watch Cake Boss…or Project Runway...or Sex and the City... Come to think of it, maybe Netflix should be an addendum to Patanjali's list.

            1)  Morning Practice

      What's better than starting your day by awakening, stretching and breathing deeply?   And for the rest of the day, you feel energized, supple and ready to take whatever comes at you. (On a related note, a relaxing evening practice is just as exquisite, transitioning you to a good night's sleep).

2)   Keep it Simple

      Make your goals realistic.  It’s nice to have ambition, but try setting baby steps and then push past those rather than drawing grand finish lines.   For instance, instead of setting out to do 90 minutes of practice, say “I’ll do 20 minutes.”  More often than not, you'll end up doing 30 minutes, 45, or sometimes an hour or more because it just feels so damn good.  The same applies for consistency.  Every other day, twice a week, a few minutes each day - do what works for you. Make the time to nurture and commit to yourself. 

3)   Variety and Diversity

      This is a matter of personal taste.  If you are from a Bikram or Ashtanga school, you may thrive and take comfort in knowing exactly what pose is next and what sequence you will do day in and day out.  I appreciate the discipline in repetition of these styles.  However, my “oooh…shiny” side leads me to prefer to mix it up.  Just move and let your body do a spontaneous flow, use a quality favorite DVD or take a variety of different classes to see what style fits you best.

4)   Smells and Bells

      Stuff helps.  Now, this doesn’t mean we have to buy a bunch of things or that you can only do yoga if you have the right mat, blocks and other trendy accessories.  Far from it.  In fact, in India, where yoga originates, all a yogi needs is her own body - there are usually no mats or props like we use here.  However, lighting candles, incense, gazing upon an interesting or inspiring painting or mandala, playing relaxing music, etc. can all be effective ways to help you focus. 

      5)  A Buddy

      One of the things I love about yoga is that it is mine.  I practice on my own, just for me, in my own home.  It is intimate and personal and individual.  Even so, I do really enjoy the classes and community of my fantastic local studio as well.  And if I have a friend over, I may talk them into a quick session (always with my “just 20 minutes” argument, of course).  A yoga buddy can make motivation contagious.
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Motivation is individual, but ultimately it goes beyond flexibility and strong thighs (which can be great byproducts of practice) to achieving inner peace and connectedness, or as my teacher Swami Satchidananda would say in his thick Indian accent, “Ultimate Tranquility.”

I just know that the more I do yoga, the more I WANT to do yoga.  :)

Question of the Week:   What are your own suggestions for staying motivated in practice, whatever that practice may be? 

Sometime this week, tell yourself, “Just 15 minutes.”  That’s all.  15 minutes before you go to work, cook dinner, watch that movie, play a game with your kid, walk the dog, see your friend, get dressed, go to bed, etc.  15 minutes to stretch, bend, breathe and connect.  Just don’t be surprised if it feels so good you end up doing 30…

Namaste,

Amala