I never said it was easy

Yoga allows us to grow in mind, body, and spirit when we accept that the practice isn't always about being comfortable

There’s a really special moment that happens when a yoga participant comes up to me and says something like this: “this is hard, but it makes me feel so good” or “wow, I didn’t expect to feel or notice some things in my body that I had access to in that practice” or “I cried in that practice”.

When I hear these messages, I internally think, “oh, it’s working” or “how cool that this person found access to that place” or “it’s just beginning”.

Because in that moment, I know you’ve unlocked something. You’ve pushed past judgments and comfort to allow your body to be engaged, felt, and seen.

Yoga can scare you. The discomfort and presence it invites into your body might be something you aren’t ready for yet. One person told me recently that after they cried in the one class they attended with me that they weren’t practicing again. In their words, “that was enough.”

And, that’s ok! Because you will have to take care of yourself in this practice, and like I’ve said before, yoga is not for everyone all the time. Maybe that one practice gave this person an opening that they can consider and build a path back to when it is safe for them. Maybe they need other supports in their life to help with what yoga is illuminating.

But, we have to be careful with comfort v. safety. You’ve heard it a thousand times - what you’re looking for lives just outside your comfort zone. That’s true in yoga too.

Sometime participants tell me they didn’t realize what yoga was after they notice the total body engagement much of the asana practice requires. They thought it was easy, simple stretches for woman. They also didn’t expect to feel some things that often come up when you are present in a practice, like emotions or memories.

Yoga gives you the control to push yourself past your comfort zone. It invites you to stay in a pose that might feel odd or hard to hold. That tapas (discipline) comes in paired with the pranayama (breath control) to help you stay present, instead of distracted, worried, or rushing. Dhyana (meditation) gives you a chance to practice aparigraha (letting go) and/or dharana (concentration) as you work to slow down what some people have told me feels like a pinball bouncing around the mind.

In these places you will likely feel uncomfortable, at least at first for a lot of reasons. One could be the simple reason - it’s new. We often resist new things due to fears we hold. The brain may hyper-focus on "doing it right” or looking a certain way.

Another reason could be that the pose(s) or the stillness might feel impossible based on our conditioning that we should be perfect and productive.

Another reason could be that the protecting parts of you doing their job too well and don’t want to be disturbed by this new practice that is offering new perspectives.

Yoga can bring you into new thoughts and feelings, so it is important to go slowly, check in, and to consider adding mental health support to your resources if the practice brings up trauma or other things that you need to process.

Yoga is not an easy practice. Any expectation that it be easy will likely be challenged very quickly in classes that honor yoga’s roots and focus less on working out and more on going within.

When you feel uncomfortable in your practice, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I safe here? If yes, stay, breathe, feel, and allow. If not, change whatever threat exists - you have control here.

• Am I present or distracted? I notice that many times in yoga, participants find distractions in the holds or pauses. They check their watch, re-tie their ponytails, or fidget with clothing. Those are moments to check yourself. Why do you need to do that right now?

• What could this discomfort be showing me? Can I stay? The physical postures have always been a limb of yoga that is meant to help our minds release, explore, and find truth. And the truth, is not always comfortable.

5 Ways I Practiced Yoga Last Week

1. Samadhi (bliss/enlightenment): Approaching my honeymoon, I’ve paused in moments to think of my intentions for this trip, my desires, my curiosity. . . in that space I’ve felt true happiness and peace.

2. Santosha (contentment): There was an older couple walking by me in a parking lot, and as I watched them pass, I smiled thinking that all I really want is to live a long life with my husband. I’m good on everything else.

3. Dharana (concentration): I used my focus to complete tasks I dread, even though they don’t take that long.

4. Pranayama (breath control): I used my breathing to help me choose a new response when I felt slightly annoyed.

5. Asana (postures/movement): I haven’t been on my mat once this week. Instead, I’ve incorporated movement while pumping gas, cooking in the kitchen, and walking my dog.

5 Ways You Can Practice Yoga This Week

1. Samadhi (bliss/enlightenment): Stay in a place that lets the world pause or slip away for a few moments. This could be in a seat or standing. It could be at any time of day. The goal is to pause and find that part of your soul that feels beauty about life.

2. Santosha (contentment): When you find yourself thinking you need more or you haven’t achieved enough yet, take a breath and on the exhale start to focus on all the things you already have and that are already yours.

3. Dharana (concentration): Stare at one point out in front of you and take three slow breaths, focusing with vision and the movement of the air through your body.

4. Pranayama (breath control): Try Lion’s breath when you think you need to scream or you’re holding back on what you need to say. Take an inhale, open your mouth, and as you exhale from the open mouth, let your tongue hang out.

5. Asana (postures/movement): Try standing, seated, or kneeling mountain pose - place your palms open next to your hips, roll the shoulders back, keep a soft bend behind your legs (if standing), and use the breath to hold the chest up and open.

This month paid subscribers received $8 dollars to spend on a delicious beverage! This group also now has access to three videos to help access bliss on an off the mat.