Moving Mantra Yoga Studio - Raleigh, North Carolina

The Consistency of Practice

I am often asked how long or how often one needs to practice Yoga before the benefits are realized. The benefits of Yoga practice are many; some obvious and immediately apparent, other benefits more subtle, slow to build and long lasting.

We often have the expectation of a quick fix to our problems or result from our efforts. Impatience is common. For some the feelings of being overwhelmed are constant. Consider for a moment all the areas in your life that are fraught with impatience and frustration. How do you respond to a traffic jam?, a long line when in a hurry? A loved one who just doesn't seem to 'get' your point of view? A personal goal that seems elusive? A necessary task that you feel resistant to? How often do you lament over some past experience or worry about an outcome that has yet to arrive?

This being human is a challenging assignment! Modern life can be complicated. However, it is our perception of life as complicated and the belief that we have no power to choose differently that perhaps has greater impact on our sense of impatience than the frustrating or challenging circumstances themselves.

Most people come to Yoga looking for change. They might feel the consequences of protracted stress, some sort of difficult change like divorce or loss of a job, a health problem, depression or anxiety that feels overwhelming, or simply have set themselves a goal for self improvement and enhanced quality of life. These can all be great motivators to start a practice, but what keeps you returning to that practice time and time again, season to season, year after year, steady on the path?

The attitude we bring to the stuff of life and our Yoga practice can help or hinder our progress towards growth. One's commitment to carve out the time and stay the course to learn, practice and assimilate these teachings in to everyday life must be steady.

Yoga is a patient process. When you first begin, the primary benefit is the feeling of a relaxed body and a calm mind when you leave class. Many are not able to sustain that peace because they have yet to integrate the "attitudes" of Yoga that invite us to be patient, accepting, disciplined, and content with what is. It is a slippery slope from peace back to the proverbial rat in a maze where we attempt to cope with stress using largely ineffective distractions like TV, incessant busy-ness, alcohol, food, drugs, compulsive exercise and excessive consumerism. While these distractions may temporarily quell our discomfort, they inevitably lead to a deep sense of disconnection and dissatisfaction.

I try to encourage students to make a solid commitment to practice for 3 months; to make attending class, practicing at home, meditating and study part of their daily life for this relatively short window. It can be just 30 minutes and still be quite effective in creating a habit of practice. At first, practice requires a discipline that some may find challenging, but with a steadiness of practice, eventually Yoga will call you back again and again. Once you get to that level of practice, integration of the "attitudes" begins to permeate at a deeper level and that's when our perception of stress begins to shift, where we can recognize the space in between feelings, thoughts and reaction and can then make a different more self-honoring choice. That's when our lives begin to transform!

Everyday life does not have to be stressful, worrisome and unfulfilling. The sages of many traditions teach us that we can gain access to a Divine intelligence that is greater than our small human mind. Yoga is such a comprehensive path of mind, body and spirit that can enhance any journey. If we have faith and can rely upon it, the wisdom of Yoga can help uncomplicate and transform our lives.

We hope to see you soon!

Peace, and Many Blessings,

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