Week 19: Extended Side Angle

Practicing yoga poses, for me, is not about doing a perfect pose. My practice is about learning and persevering. 😁💕

If your mind is like my mind, then thoughts occur when they desire. When I’m practicing yoga poses, part of my practice is to be aware of these thoughts without being influenced by the thoughts. Sometimes thoughts about future activities enter the mind. I recognize this, and as soon as possible, I remember I am not doing those activities. I am practicing a pose and breathing. Sometimes I’ll have a thought about a situation in the past and start analyzing or justifying my behavior or feelings. Again, as soon as possible, I remember I am not living in the past. I am practicing a pose and breathing. And sometimes I have thoughts that are criticizing my ability to do a pose and suggest stopping and doing something more comfortable. As soon as possible, I remind myself I am building self-discipline with practicing the pose and breathing.

The mind can work against us when we are making efforts to learn and practice because persistence with something new creates change. And the mind can be fearful of change because change means entering the unknown. (The unknown can be very exciting to be in.) So, I encourage you to persevere when learning and practicing, and laugh and smile as much as possible as you are aware of those thoughts in your head. 😁💙