Is your practice working for you?

09 May Is your practice working for you?

At the end of a yoga or movement practice what do you want to feel like?  Soft strong aware open creative vibrant connected resilient???

Each of us practices for a variety of reasons.  Some of them changing from day to day, some season to season, some year to year but essentially each of us practices to feel better.

Do you feel better after your practice?

Is it doable, relatable and flexible.  Does your practice bring you to the present moment and leave you feeling a sense of connection.

I don’t profess to know all the answers but here is what I know for me after 26 years of Yoga, Qi Gong and Movement practices.  These are the 5 ways I know my practices are working for me.

1. My practice is doable.  Simplistic I know.  But hear me out.  When I come to my practice – whether that is on a mat, in a chair or on my bed I want to know that I am able to participate.  Pick the practices that work for you – not against.  If you love to sing, maybe chanting is your thing, if your day job is sedentary – an asana or movement practice could be just the ticket.  Practice is participation.  Being engaged in the ‘doing’ aspect of the practice is important whether you are practicing physically moving your body or engaging actively in meditation.  It’s all self enquiry and does not necessarily have to relate to  physical fitness.  If I had a $1 for every time I was asked ‘Is this right?’ ….  you practice is right for you if it feels right for you.  In your practice do you partake of offered modifications that suit your body type, your age, your range of movement and present moment energy levels?  Is your practice doable?

2. My practice is relatable.  How does your practice relate to your life?  By this I mean is your practice helping you to find balance within?  If your day involves being on your feet a lot does your practice offer you ways of being closer to the ground?  Or is your body craving stillness? Maybe some Yoga Nidra in the middle of the day (my all time favourite go to!).  Does your practice offer your opportunities to use both sides of your body and the two sides of your brain?  Is you practice relatable?

3. My practice brings me into this moment (most of the time – I am human).  We all have the monkey mind that wanders away but does your practice help you come to this moment of being.  So much of our time is spent fast forwarding into the future and reflecting back on the past and each of us can benefit from an anchor (until we don’t need one anymore) that draws us to now.  What is your helpful anchor that propels you to now?
4. My practice is flexible.  Is you practice flexible and adjustable?  Can you change it up from day to day, moment to moment.  Sure yoga and movement can be disciplined but it can also be flexible.  Can you practice stillness and/or movement while waiting for your tea to steep?

5. My practice has me feeling less stressed, more centred and with feelings of connection.  At the end of your practice do you feel more centred, grounded, open and clear?  Do you feel more connected to your place in the world, with feelings of connection to yourself, your people.  Can you sense your place in this physical world as well as the timeless, boundless part of you that is everywhere at once?

Make your practice your own.  With love Ax