It Takes Practice to Practice

For most of us, there are things we can 'weekend warrior' ourselves through without too many chance negative ramifications. And along with cycling, skiing, running, and other sports that don't have an opportunity in our weekday schedule, yoga sometimes gets on the Weekend List. As advantageous as it might seem or feel, a once-a-week yoga session is scratching the surface. And those of you practicing Astanga yoga in particular, know the woes of missing practice time. More than just missing the stretch & the strength, but missing the breathing time, and the mindful movement. It is a practice to incorporate into your routine, your schedule, your body, your mind, your being. And indeed, It Takes Practice to Practice. Not necessarily how good you are at Warrior I or Urdhva Dhanurasana etc, but how diligent you are to show up and just be present without attachment to the outcome. How committed you are to give into the notion that a steady practice will calm the mind, support the systems of the body, tap into the best health you can have, and boost your overall well-being no matter how 'good' your 'performance' was. Becoming discouraged is easy in a western society that puts so much emphasis on gaining applause - but slow & steady wins overall (note the tortoise & the hare analogy) - I say it often. And I want this style of yoga to be looked at as doable and accessible and non-defeating. If you need to be 'good at something' in the practice, insert ujjayi or dristi or bandhas in that statement - be your best at breathing with intention, moving because of breath, setting a focused gazing point, engaging the locks. Over time, all that you need for practice and life will come. It takes practice to practice.