This entry was posted on Aug 6, 2025 by Charlotte Bell.
Why observe yoga? There’s a multitude of various solutions to this query. As with all longterm relationship, over time, our observe evolves; it ebbs and flows. Generally our observe feels contemporary and very important; different instances it could really feel as if we’ve hit a plateau. At instances we could drop the observe for some time, and at others we could sit up for stepping onto the mat or sitting on our meditation cushion. It may be useful to recollect why we determined to prioritize yoga observe within the first place. Reflecting on our preliminary motivation to observe can assist us preserve not solely consistency, but in addition inspiration.
3 Suggestions for Creating Motivation to Observe
Once I have a look at my motivation to observe, I’ve discovered that it’s actually easy. I observe as a result of after 37 years of meditation and 43 years of yoga, I acknowledge the immeasurable worth they bring about to my life. I don’t observe as a result of some terrible hurt would befall me if I don’t. It’s not merely one thing I’ve added to my each day to-do record. It’s not a ought to. I belief the observe. I place confidence in the observe. And it’s not blind religion, however a religion that’s been verified by way of a long time of expertise.
How will we develop motivation to observe? Whether or not our core observe is yoga or meditation, we frequently should be reminded why we’re doing it. Listed here are some suggestions for staying on the trail:
- Consider your observe as a part of your morning ritual, a solution to preserve the well being of your physique/thoughts. We don’t suppose twice about consuming an honest breakfast, brushing our tooth, showering, and so forth. Yoga and meditation practices are they methods we convey equilibrium to our our bodies and minds.
- Once you put aside the time to observe, give it your full consideration. You’ve obtained loads of time to go over your to-do record, or to replicate on that tough dialog you had with somebody yesterday. You’ve obtained time to formulate your reply to that individual—later. Use your observe time to speculate your full consciousness into what you’re feeling in your physique and thoughts, right here and now. Your observe time is valuable. It deserves your consideration and care.
- Mirror on the worth of your observe in your each day life. In accordance with the yoga sutras, the advantage of asana observe is the cultivation of equanimity within the face of the ups and downs of our lives. This will apply to minute each day annoyances, or it may apply to main challenges and losses. The advantages will be refined or apparent. What advantages have you ever skilled? Reflecting on this will remind you why you observe and can assist you keep motivated.
Belief Your Yoga and Meditation Practices
Reflecting on the worth of observe in your life will be tough. Whereas there are advantages you may really feel instantly once you observe yoga and meditation, among the deeper advantages are refined. That is the place reflecting on the millennia-long historical past of those practices will be useful. Yoga and meditation have survived for 1000’s of years. They’ve survived as a result of thousands and thousands of individuals have reaped their advantages. So even when you’re simply beginning out, and the advantages you expertise are on the subtler aspect, belief the method. Strategy your observe with an open, curious thoughts. Mirror on why you’re keen on your observe. Then seize your meditation cushion or your yoga mat, open your thoughts and see the place your observe takes you at this time.
About Charlotte Bell
Charlotte Bell found yoga in 1982 and started educating in 1986. Charlotte is the creator of Aware Yoga, Aware Life: A Information for On a regular basis Observe and Yoga for Meditators, each printed by Rodmell Press. Her third e book is titled Hip-Wholesome Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Information to Defending the Hips and Avoiding SI Joint Ache (Shambhala Publications). She writes a month-to-month column for CATALYST Journal and serves as editor for Yoga U On-line. Charlotte is a founding board member for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit that brings yoga to underserved populations. A lifelong musician, Charlotte performs oboe and English horn within the Salt Lake Symphony and folks sextet Crimson Rock Rondo, whose DVD received two Emmy awards.
