Break Your Yoga Habits

We are creatures of habit. In many ways we can thrive from routine and the feeling of control that it brings. This shows up in our day to day life and in how we practice yoga. Yet, as we know, control is an illusion, and if we can practice being OK outside of its comfortable confines, we can more easily deal with traumatic life events.

Here are a few suggestions that will most likely stir up some resistance from within you. This is because you will experiment in your yoga practice by doing things that you don’t usually do — things you may find ‘uncomfortable’. But, be brave and adventurous: you never know what will happen if you don’t try.

Rearrange Your Will

Are you an A-type personality who has to do everything at 200%? Do you strive to stretch the farthest, sweat the most and breathe the deepest in your yoga class? Try taking a step back and practising at 70% of your maximum potential. You may notice that not-so-subtle, aggressive inner voice telling you to push harder. Where is that voice coming from? You may notice that when you ignore that voice and instead soften your mental effort, your body actually relaxes and allows you to deepen in the pose.

On the other hand, if you always practice way below your maximum potential, try moving closer to 100%. How do you feel when you widen your lunge stance and try the advanced option of a yoga pose? How can you release fear and anxiety and embrace your new-found yogic abilities?

Switch Studios

To those who say they only like one style of yoga: You don’t only benefit from things that you like. Do you always like going to school or to the dentist? You may not like something but you do it because you know it will be derive benefit from it.

So try going to a yoga class that doesn’t appeal to you. Attend it with as open a mind and heart as possible. If you find yourself enjoying it, don’t fight that feeling; and if you build walls of resistance, investigate your reasoning. So many of our choices are guided by what we think we should like and what we should be. Many times, going against one’s natural tendencies is the best way to bring balance into our lives.

Move Your Yoga Mat

One of the most subtle yoga habits you may have unconsciously developed happens just before you start class. It has to do with where you place your yoga mat. Do you walk into the yoga studio and see your spot? What goes through your mind when someone else is there? Have you ever actually asked someone to move? If you usually go to the back of the room so no one can see you, try front and center. If you normally take the front row so you can see the teacher clearly, go to the back and try listening more intently.

Our habitual tendencies reveal so much about who we are. Breaking habits is a way to listen to these stories we tell about ourselves. By challenging our habits, we get a chance to rewrite them.