breaking up with yoga
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Wow. I've been practicing yoga for 10 years now! That sounds so amazing.
But, those 10 years haven't been a consistent practice. Yoga and I have broken up more than a few times.
Like I've said before, I have the tendency to be all or nothing. I will study and practice yoga obsessively for awhile. Read everything I can. Search for knowledge to make me a better student and teacher. I might even go to multiple classes per day.
And then, boom! Nothing. I can't force myself to practice at home. I can't get to the studio. My yoga is silenced.
Write-on Yoga got me thinking about these yoga break ups (or breaks) with this post.
Even recently, this last fall, yoga and I had a little break. I only taught once a week for four months. It was a much needed break. I felt that my practice and my teaching were becoming stale.
Now, I am back teaching five classes a week. And, I'm even taking more time to be a student.
I always find that no matter how bad of a break up it is. Or how long of a break. Yoga welcomes me back.
I guess I'm trying to find the words to say, take that break. You will find your way back to yoga. And, honestly, it will make the relationship stronger.
Reader Comments (5)
Oh I am very similar with my yoga. I am definitely going through a "me" time with yoga right now. Lots of personal practice and only a smattering of teaching. I'll probably post about it later in the week.
I like that "me" time with yoga!
well, as you know, i'm on a mandatory break-up with yoga at the moment (at least asana). after mamahood, it has been very hard to be consistent with a practice and it is downright physically painful every time i begin again. it's like starting all over again after a 3 month total break! nevertheless, i try to remind myself to have beginner's mind (which can be good and exciting) and i do know that it makes me a better teacher, because i am right where my new students are--out of shape and frustrated! and when remembering that doesn't help, i just complain a lot. ;)
My practice over the past 5 years has definitely passed through wave-like stages. Right now I'm at my most intense home practice (3-4 times a week) and starting to get back to studios and classes (especially now that i'm doing an energy exchange to help fund it).
recently, i've found myself disillusioned with the whole YOGA movement though- watching Enlighten Up! and Yoga Inc, reading blogs where there is SO MUCH yoga snobbery (which isn't here- You have such an open honest way of writing ;) )... it's made me kinda want to say "eff yoga" like that dude on Yoga Inc with his t-shirt business.
You know- Yoga propaganda overload? Like that post over at Yoga Dork about how that actress who said she'd like to "stab yoga" cuz she just doesn't like yoga. and people were so bent on- SHE JUST NEEDS TO TRY IT.
i just think that although yoga is awesome, it doesn't HAVE to be for everone.....
anyhoo, thansk for the awesome post :)
Michelle--isn't that hard when you think you've lost ground? I totally know what you mean. But, what always surprises me about my practice, is that when I come back from a break, it just seems so natural. It takes my body less time to "get back into it". Hope you are feeling well and taking care of yourself!
Lisa--I gotcha on the "yoga" as an industry overload. Seems like too much sometimes. And, I'm also with you on the snobbery. It makes it difficult and it seems so counterintuitive. I guess it comes down to remembering how yoga makes us feel and knowing what yoga is to you. Thanks for the comments. Makes me smile!