Do you think I could touch my forehead with my ankle the first time I did this yoga pose? Think again. If you want to progress in your yoga practice or achieve anything else as 2015 unfolds, use a gentle approach. "Ease" into it. Take consistent baby steps.
A week has already passed since we "rang" in 2015. No doubt, despite myriad, previous failed attempts, on January 1 (or shortly thereafter) many people sat down and wrote New Year's resolutions and goals. Or, they may have verbally vowed to close friends and family that "this year" was going to be THE year they finally stopped smoking, would go to the gym, swimming pool, or take that yoga class "once and for all!"
During the first few weeks of January, the parking lots of local gyms, swimming pools, yoga studios, and weight loss classes are overflowing with "eager beavers." It is virtually impossible to grab a turn on a machine, find a free swimming lane, or land a coveted spot to roll out your mat in the yoga studio. Almost everyone it seems, is "committed" to making positive changes in the new year.
Sadly though, by the end of January, it becomes much easier to find a parking spot near the gym, pool, or yoga class. By mid-February, it becomes even easier. And, unfortunately, by mid-March or so, we could conclude that at least half of those "eager beavers" have disappeared.....and that some of those gyms, pools, or yoga classes have become ghost towns.
Why does this happen? Many reasons.
Making dramatic change is never easy and people's expectations can be inflated by the promise of a New Year. So what do you do?
Simple. As I have said ad nauseum in this blog since January 2008 (celebrating 7 years of writing!), be gentle with yourself, be consistent, and take baby steps or focus on tiny, incremental changes.
As absurd as it may seem, don't dive into a yoga practice by doing 30-60 minutes right off the bat. No - really, do not. Start with 2 minutes, maybe 3 or 5 every day. Definitely no more than 10 minutes. And just add a few minutes a week.
Why does this work?
1) Your body has time to adjust- it is much less likely to rebel or get injured.
2) It's easier to start scheduling 2,5, or 10 minutes a day of a new activity than 20 or 30 minutes isn't it? And when you practice such a short time, you're less likely to dwell on how little you can do! Moreover, your subconscious and old negative patterns and emotions are less likely to balk when change is gradual..
Why not try this for the month of January and see what happens. Even if you have been practicing yoga for a while, you can apply this approach to mastering a new pose that has been challenging you. Or consider applying it to any goal or "resolution" you created a week ago. And, please report back.
I believe easing into your goals for 2015 ever so gradually will enable you to achieve more by the time January 1, 2016 rolls around. Please report back your results!
Yours for easing into 2015 with a gentle, baby steps,
Laura Venecia Rodriguez, The Beginners' Yoga at Home Coach
TM
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