There’s a lot that goes around in the health & wellness world about how much one “should” be doing and what is enough “to get results.” Yoga invites us to see from a different perspective.
Yoga is the science of self-realization — and it’s a unique science to each individual. What supports you in being your best self in the world will be different than what supports me, though there may be some overlap. Furthermore, what supports me NOW may not support me a few weeks, months or years from now. For example, my physical practice was consistently vigorous 13 years ago … that’s what I needed at the time. These days, I vary my pace, length & content of my personal practice according to the season, my current energy level, & my current mental state. My practice may be physical on a particular day, yet more often I focus on combining physical, breathwork, relaxation & meditation in equal measure.
Many of you have cultivated a yoga practice over many years … how has your practice changed? What have you enjoyed about those changes, and what have you felt challenged by?
You may be new to the yoga practices … what practices are calling to you right now? What excites you about practicing, either with others or on your own? No need to get technical or feel like “I should be doing x, y or z.” Just what makes your body & mind happy — that’s the self-realization right there.
No matter how often we practice, the length of time or specific content of our practice, know that none of your energy is wasted. ANY amount of time you put into your yoga practices is ALREADY reaping you benefits, whether you notice them like a big sign over your head, or simply feel a subtle feeling that “hey, this feels pretty good.”
I look forward to practicing with you this week! (or supporting you from afar in your own practice!)
Erica Engel 