When I enrolled in a 200-hour teacher training, it wasn’t because I wanted to be a teacher. I’m much too selfish for that. I want to learn how to sequence poses together so I could practice at home so I wouldn’t have to pay for yoga classes any more. (I’m selfish AND a cheapskate, what can I say?)
Anyway, I finished my teacher training, I worked at a yoga magazine where I took classes for 5 years, and I STILL do not have a home practice. I just… don’t. I know many poses inside and out. I know how to sequence and build up to advanced poses. I have all the best props. I have access to a TON of great yoga DVDs, podcasts, and iPhone aps. I KNOW how to practice on my own…
But I can’t DO it! I don’t know why. But I haven’t ever been able to carve out the time, unroll my mat, and get to business. I’ll practice some poses here and there, but it’s not a REAL home practice.
Anyway, it’s been two weeks since I’ve been to a yoga class, and I haven’t practiced more than 15 minutes at a time even once! It’s so FRUSTRATING! Lately, I spend more time thinking and writing about yoga than actually DOING it!
Am I the only one with this problem?
OK.. I’m going to go practice now. By myself. Ask me later how it went, so I can’t wiggle out of it, OK?
Ok, how'd it go?
It is funny what having that leader can do for your motivation. My other passion is cycling and I have a trainer at home that gathers dust in the winter; however, put me in a spin class and I am as committed as they come.
It must be something inside us.
I am also a lifetimer Weight Watchers member and year after year you can get stale and lose the fire. The first thing (which you already have) is to recognize that. Next you have to find a fresh angle, some new goal that motivates you because we really all are goal oriented people. In your mind you achieved your goal (200YTT) and have mentally looked for the next challenge. You need to find what your next challenge is that can encompass your yoga practise and you'll be fine.
An old adage that really helps is 'fake it til you make it'
Ciao
Frenzy36
I just finished my YTT and the only time I actually practice sequences instead of a "pose buffet" is when I'm preparing to teach a class.
When and if you (or I) get this figured out, let's share the secret. Ok?
Please turn on e-mail notifications in Blogger. It should show up as an option just to the right of the comment section below. (I don't know where to turn it on in Blogger, though.) Thanks.
Ignore last comment. Notifications working now. Must have been a problem on my end.
I did it! It was short, but great! I needed that.. will have to do it more! Thanks for all your support, everybody! It really does help.
Yay Erica! Some is better than none…
Keep it up 🙂
You are not alone in this one! My friends and I actually recently made a DISincentive bet: if we don't reach our goals, we have to pay some sort of penalty. (In this case, give $100 to a cause we patently disagree with.) My commitment was to do yoga 5 times a week, and given my cheapskate state as well, it's helped me develop a home practice. Might be something to think about. You can follow along on my blog if you're interested.
Thinking and writing is a practice in a way. My asana-awareness deepened significantly when I started blogging.
But, yeah, practicing at home…not so much. I think it's having to think about the next move and not having some one to check on your form. It's a lot more work and not as much of an escape.
The Cheapskate might have to give a little. At least she did for me…
This is all good advice. I've been squeezing in at least 15 minutes a day since I wrote this.. and I'm feeling a lot better about things!
Brenda! Thanks for stopping by and for linking to me on your blog!