Why I recommend starting a daily yoga practice

Are you one of those who gets petrified looking at the twisty, bendy, bone-breaking yoga asanas that has unfortunately now become synonymous with yoga? Asanas are most definitely an integral part of yoga, but the depth and breadth of yoga is impossible to experience by performing a few physical postures, hoping to attain all the benefits that yoga is renowned for. The westernised version of yoga has now taken all shapes and forms and could be overwhelming to anyone wanting to start practising yoga.

So relax. . breath in. .  and breath out. . and let’s see what yoga is truly about!

Yoga means ‘union’. Simply put, a union of your body and mind, your physical and mental energies.

“Modern science proves that the whole existence is just one energy – but you are not experiencing it that way. If you can break this illusion that you are separate, and experience the oneness of existence, that is yoga.”

Sadhguru

Yoga is a commitment to yourself and your own growth. To be able to build a powerful foundation and focus to progress towards enlightenment, it is important to practice regularly, without interruption and with an attitude of devotion and service, and all this while keeping an open mind and heart.

The challenges

First step towards this commitment is to shed all the mental blocks and the can’t do’s. .

After having interacted with many of my friends and family members talking about yoga and getting an initial sense around how they feel about embarking on this journey, I have come to realise that all the inhibitions can be broadly fit into one of the three below –  

1. I am not flexible enough

Yoga is NOT about flexibility. Again, going back to the same point that I made previously, online images and videos have turned more people against yoga than in favour of it. This is extremely saddening, but the truth in today’s world. Yoga is about being physically fit, mentally balanced, spiritually connected and emotionally strong. All you need for this is an able body and an open mind.

2. I don’t have enough space/time

All you need to get started is a yoga mat which is about 3×6 feet. That is all it takes!! It is a simple, accessible, and affordable practice that can be done almost anywhere. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, even if you only have 15 minutes per day, it will still benefit your body, mind, and spirit.

3. It is too slow and boring

Don’t we all have enough going on at lightning speed in our lives? We fail to see the special moments in each day because we are too busy, too glued to our devices, too disconnected from others and our inner selves. Yoga is the perfect tool to slow down a bit, to help you be more aware of your body, mind and soul and appreciate things in life that we don’t even know exists.

The benefits

Yoga is not just performing asanas, but a way of life. This discipline can only be achieved with regular practice. It not only makes your body fit but also relaxes your mind. A daily practice cultivates the attitude that through patience and compassion, we can accomplish great things on and off our mats. Along this journey, you can then see yoga reflecting on your lives. We learn that the commitment and perseverance we bring to the mat every single day, starts to reflect in our attitude as we approach life’s many challenges.

Getting started

Like starting any new habit in our stubbornly set routines in life, yoga practice can also be challenging and overwhelming. If you have been tossing with this idea and don’t know where to start, here are a few tips that I hope can make this transition easier:

• Practise at the same time every day

By doing this, you are already inviting some discipline in your life. Examine your current routine and find the most practical time to practice. You may initially need to set reminders, but trust me, after some time, you will be on the mat even before the reminder goes off!

•  Start with something simple

This could be 1 Suryanamaskar (sun salutation), 1 asana, 5 minutes of meditation or just sitting and focusing on your breathing (Pranayama) on your mat. Do not overwhelm yourself. The beauty of yoga is you can adapt it to what fits you. As you go along, check in with yourself and see what brings you joy.

• Take time to understand your body

Don’t be in a hurry. Make sure the yoga classes you commit to are of the correct length and intensity for your ability and dedication. There are plenty of resources and trainings online. Find the time to navigate through as many as you need until you find the one that feels right.

• Write down how you feel

This is something that has helped me tremendously. Try writing a line or two about how you feel before you start and do the same exercise after your practice. I have almost always felt lighter, happier and thankful that I set myself to do something that uplifts my spirit.

• Consistency is key

You may encounter a time when you find yourself struggling to stay consistent. You may not be seeing any physical results, and this makes you impatient. We have all been there. It took me more than year of practice to finally find my ground with it. The best way to maintain consistency over time is to make it part of your lifestyle. As long as you keep at it, the experience and benefits will only deepen with practice.

• Have fun

Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! Remember, yoga is not a destination, it is a journey!

So bring your best attitude and mindset to the mat and let it flow!!