More Life Lessons I Learned from Yoga.
I don’t know about where you live, but it’s pretty toasty in the SF Bay Area. Yoga is a great way to work your body in the cool comfort of your home. But that’s definitely not it’s only benefit.
I continue to be amazed at what I learn from yoga that I can apply to life. I first wrote about it in November 2021. You can read that blog here. I have continued with my online yoga two times per day and have been pretty consistent. Even with my shoulder out of commission, I have continued my yoga practice focusing on lower body strength and flexibility.
Much like the first three lessons I wrote about, everyone will benefit from these life lessons regardless of your yoga experience.
1. Maintaining balance is work. When I do balance poses, I am reminded that balance requires effort. It’s not a destination, it’s a constant ‘in progress’. I know, for myself, my upper body is always moving ever so slightly. I am not standing completely still. Also, it doesn’t take long for my leg to begin to tire and then wobble a bit. This requires me to focus on my breath and engage my core. I also need to lift up through my leg and not dig my toes into the mat. Lots of effort, for sure.
Some days I’m able to balance more on one leg than the other. Kassandra my online yoga instructor, says “It’s perfectly normal to wobble and fall out of a pose.”
Life lesson learned – This is exactly like balance in life. It requires constant adjustment. Some days being in balance will be easier than other days. When you fall out, then you know what, you start again. No judgment.
2. Make it your own. I have learned that my body is just that – my body. It can’t be expected to do what somebody else can do even after consistently practicing these past few years. Each pose has many modifications. The modifications do not make the pose any less beneficial. It only reflects where my body is right now. If you’re familiar with my embracing of imperfection, you know that it’s good enough, for now.
Whether a beginner is doing a pose and not twisting or bending as far as a more advanced yogi, they are each benefitting. Yoga is an individual and personal activity. There is no competition.
Life lesson learned – Seriously, can you have a better metaphor for life?!? Your life is your own. Live it according to your values. Live in resonance. Regardless of where you are on your journey, make it your own. Life is not a competition.
3. There is always something I can do. I’m 8 weeks post rotator cuff surgery. I cannot do all of the poses I had been doing, but I can always do something. Legs, core, balance, even chair yoga…so many options.
Life lesson learned – When I’m feeling stuck, scared or unsure, instead of being paralyzed and doing nothing, there is always something I can do. It doesn’t have to be big or complete, it merely needs to be something.
So, off you go. I invite you to use these life lessons daily. In case it isn’t obvious, I still highly recommend yoga.
Until next time ~ deep breath in and exhale to chant Ommmm ~ enjoy your journey.