Problems with yoga practice

[Justyb]

Hi....A month or so ago I had a really bad bout of gastro flu and didn't practice for over 2 weeks. I then did a weekend workshop as I am doing a yoga teacher training programme and found i was very stiff and resistent to my practice. Since then i have found it extremely difficult to get motivated to do my home practice and am getting a little frustrated. I know if i went a little easier on myself I would just do a little and ease myself back into my practice after my illness, but just don't seem to be able to get away from the black and white thinking - any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Justine

[isimplicity]

Sickness doest come simply because of infection. Usually we get ill when we do something wrong, think something wrong or feel something wrong; and this especially works in case of yoga/spiritual practitioners. When you get ill, you lose energy to recover your body. As a result, you feel distressed, out of ordinary state, and it is harder to get back to your full day-to-day practice.


It is really hard, I can tell on numerous examples of mine, - and my advice is:
1.realize what happens when you get sick, realize that you have to recover yourself step by step as your condition is different now.

2.form a strong motivation. You can do this making analytical mediation on your life and practice goals. Be gentle and caring with your mind, explain yourself what and how you want to reach, - treat your mind like a small child. Motivation is a key point here.
3.be patient with yourself
4.do not torment yourself with hard trainings at once. Start with something easy you can do without overtire and *with smile*
5.do something, stop being negative towards your non-doing and passivity

Wish you best luck! In some situations, every practitioner meets this issue. We just have to remind ourselves, that *we* can change it all, just need a little effort.

[pinky11]

Hello Justyb

Idea here is to be regular. You can tone down your practice for a while while you are not well. Yoga is such a thing it will take a long time to come into the groove, there will be enough time to cover it up..

All the best

Daljit

[InnerAthlete]

Hello Justine,

There are two things in your post that I wish to address. The first is what I will call "coming to the mat" and the second is amending one's practice during illness, anxiety, stress, and upheaval.

Coming to the mat -

Yoga is a vast body of wisdom available to us for our own evolutionary process as beings. It is only our self-limited Western minds that have chosen to cling to asana, calling and defining it as "Yoga". Asana of course has a purpose but yoga is still available to those who do not practice asana.

When the student cannot, for whatever reason, come to the mat with immense joy for the asana practice it may be perfectly appropriate to not go at all. Even a short practice in the name of "discipline" where there is no joy is a violation of yoga precepts. Asana practice may ebb and flow. But that tide is part of the learning process of yoga in our lives. Examine it in yourself with the same playful exploration you use in Trikonasana. Use that examination or self-study to move forward in whatever way serves your purpose here, your svadharma.

Yoga during illness -

When our bodies react they are reacting to how we live. There is a constant yet subtle dialogue between the mind and body (or consciousness, if you will). And our task is to learn to be better listeners. When we cultivate the nature of honoring that dialogue so to do we cultivate the self-care that allows for healing and restoration.

Just as an asana practice is not the same in your 20's as it should be in your 50's, an asana practice when you are fully well would not be the same as one when you had influenza. The practice must not be "off the rack". Instead it must be custom-tailored to the student.

Consider taking an asana rest in favor of a Yamas and Niyamas practice. Start with Saucha (unless another calls to you) and spend seven consecutive days living it. Then move on to the next.

[Justyb]

Hi folks

Thank you so much for your kind words....they gave me some thoughts of how to lisen to my body with a little more compassion, thanks again!

justine