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The good, the not-so-easy, and the plan
For someone who feels incredibly happy with life, I was not supposed to feel stagnant and empty, blocked or stale. Something about me was getting mechanic and before I knew it, I had started cooking the same things over and over like a template, listened to the same songs as though they were my morning prayer, and went to bed with increasing scrolling time on social media.
Living the same life every day is an addiction too and what it takes to break free is more than will.
So there I was, registering for yoga and filling up the form without really thinking it through. I checked the basic 21-day plan on the form and felt a surge of happiness rise inside. Wow! A confirmatory email to a changed lifestyle.
When I think about it, it was the wisest choice I made in a while. Yoga has its origins in India and yet I wonder Why, every time I see the word, I automatically hear ‘yoga’ in a foreign accent. This might have something to do with the many many global yoga practitioners learning the art and teaching Indians now!
Anyway, this proved to be a good cue to start Day 1 at 6.30 am.
I am going to skip the detailed account of asanas and kriyas (postures and positions) that I learnt. However, I feel elated to share my takeaways.
What I Learnt:
- A good teacher will make you fall in love with the art/ subject. (Yes, I do blame my mathematics teacher)
- A good yoga instructor will ensure you get the postures right. A great yoga instructor ensures you have the right emotions while performing the asanas. For example, I remind myself to ‘let go’ while performing a certain asana, while I purposely keep up a gentle smile throughout some other asanas.
- The setting. My instructor would station herself in her balcony and conduct the online sessions. I tried it, in early mornings though, and it felt amazing, to say the least. One of the moments when the chirping birds and breeze delighted me!
- The biggest takeaway for me is definitely the end of each yoga session. I was taught to close my eyes, hug myself and say that ‘I loved me’ while gently swinging my torso from side to side. The hour-long yoga asanas would finally melt into this beautiful moment, after which I felt like I could take over the day and finally make it to bed without whining.
- I soon transformed from the droopy-eyed-yawning student to the one sitting-straight-with-shoulders-rolled-back-and-logged-in-five-minutes-early student. (which, if you know me, is a big feat!)
The Not-So-Easy
As I finish counting my (yoga) blessings, I must also share my worries.
To fight one’s own mind is, according to me, not-an-easy task. After successfully completing the 21-day yoga program, I fear losing to my own demons, I fear getting into the old rut and waking up from this short blessed dream called ‘yoga’.
So I designed a plan (also, stuck on the inside of my wardrobe door)
The Plan
- Sleep early.
- Invite no thoughts on existential crisis. Get the yoga mat on the floor before your mind has time to come up with excuses.
- If it occurs to me that sleeping some more is easy, comfortable and cozy, I remind ‘me’ of how yoga sessions boost mental and physical fitness.
- Also, if I ever happen to miss an early morning yoga practice, I still have the evening.
- Finally, not let ‘I-still-have-the-evening’ lure me into abandoning morning practices!
I might sound like a grandma at this point. But I am in my 30s, which means half my life is almost over. What I can really do is, catch up on things that will make me proud, happy and disciplined. Also, things that will keep me away from hospitals in the old age. But for now, yoga is truly helping me spend quality time with myself and when I take my learnings to the outside world, I realize how robust I have become.
I hope our community of yoga lovers grows, and that someone in need finds blissful answers to his or her life in yoga, like I did.
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