3 Things that I learned from returning to my Yoga practice.

Image from Unsplash

After my disappointment and lack of love of Yoga, I decided to take a break from it and have recently returned to practicing it.

While a break after consistently practicing after 10 years weekly was deeply needed, I am grateful that I get to practice again.

Here are 3 Things that I learned from returning to Yoga:

1. My body needs it.

Although I taught yoga for almost ten years, I became disillusioned by the benefits and industry. While a part of me was taking it for granted, I also felt as though I needed to let it go and find my way back to it.

Although I still did physical activity, I noticed my back and joint pain come back that I had healed through my practice of many years. When my knees started to hurt, I forgot how healing it was to practice until I began practicing again.

2. My practice is about me and my body.

Since I have left teaching Yoga, I have found it very difficult to find a class that I genuinely enjoy. I taught Bikram for a few years and have some resentment for the culture and some toxic ideas that are being promoted.

I also taught and practiced at other studios that I found have lost their foundation in the meaning of what Yoga is.

So, I developed a home practice that has become so sacred to me. I have truly come to recognize and acknowledge that my practice is for me and my body; no one else.

3. Yoga is not about force; it’s about devotion.

I have always been extremely disciplined when it comes to physical activity. So, becoming a Yoga practitioner and teacher seemed natural to me. However, with that came a sense of obligation that I developed over the years that I had to practice at least 4 times a week.

At times, this strict discipline helped me and my asana reach their full potential. However, other times, I would feel a disappointment in myself if I didn’t make it to class that many times per week.

Releasing the need and obligation to practice has freed me up to willingly devote my body, mind and spirit to something that I love: to practice Yoga.