Stuck in a Rut
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Photo by Jobi Otso.
Sometimes my asana practice falls into a rut.
It’s been so long
since I rolled out my mat. I’ll just take one more day off, and then I’ll get
back at it. I’m too tired for yoga.
Have you ever experienced this feeling of being stuck?
Photo by Justin Kral.
Here are some tips for getting back to your mat, and being
gentle with yourself about the process.
1. Roll your mat out. Leave your mat unrolled before you go
to bed, or before you leave for work in the morning. Let it be the first thing
you see when you wake up, or walk through the door when you get home. While you’re
at it, leave your yoga clothes out too, so it’s convenient to get changed and
get into ‘yoga mode.’
Photo by Cait Loper.
2. Start small. Do five to ten minutes of yoga. A little bit
is better than none at all. If I’m practicing for a short period like this, I usually
do this routine:
- 3 rounds of cat/cow
- 3-4 sun salutations
- tree pose
- bridge pose
- reclined twist
- savasana
3. Try something new. Sometimes I lose interest in
practicing yoga because I’m bored of the sequence I’ve been doing for ages. Try
a drop-in at a studio you’ve never been to, or a class with a teacher you’ve
never tried.
Photo by Justin Kral.
4. Get online. There are so many great yoga videos out
there! I highly recommend videos by Rachel Brathen, Sadie Nardini and KathrynBudig.
5. Ask for support. Make a pact with your yoga friends to
hold each other accountable. Celebrate your successes, and encourage each other.
6. Aim for progress, not perfection. Making a new habit is
hard and it helps to be kind to yourself while you’re in transition. You’ve got
this!
7. Do something besides yoga. Yes, you read that correctly ;) If you’re a little sick of asana, try moving in a different way: qi gong, martial arts, bike riding, walking, swimming, hula hooping, salsa lessons… find a way to connect with your body that feels good right now. Yoga will always be a part of your life, and your mat isn’t going anywhere. Mix it up!
7. Do something besides yoga. Yes, you read that correctly ;) If you’re a little sick of asana, try moving in a different way: qi gong, martial arts, bike riding, walking, swimming, hula hooping, salsa lessons… find a way to connect with your body that feels good right now. Yoga will always be a part of your life, and your mat isn’t going anywhere. Mix it up!
Photo by Justin Kral.
8. Acknowledge when you need to take a break. Sometimes what
I need is rest, not a vigorous practice. My yoga practice changes over time,
depending on the season, what I have going on in my life, and my energy level on
any given day. Continuously honoring where I am in the present moment – that is
truly the practice of yoga!
What helps you get motivated?
PS Instead of saying, “I don’t feel like it,” try these
ideas.
