“Freedom from wanting unlocks the real purpose of existence.”

Yoga, like anything else in your life, needs to be sustainable to work. When you start something new, something you find you like, you can throw yourself into it with great enthusiasm. Or you can find that something new is challenging and therefore needs you to put a lot of energy into it as you process many new things. After a while you will start to see the results. This is often the moment when you can let things slide. It is at the moment when something is working well for you that you need to readjust to keep things in balance for yourself. Perhaps slacken off a bit in how much you do of it, or relax the way you look at it as it becomes more manageable for you. But don’t drop it.

“For those who seek liberation wholeheartedly, realization is near… How near depends on whether the practice is mild, moderate or intense.”

The same goes for yoga practice. Bring it into your life in a way that it can be integrated, little by little, so that it works for you. Something as small as using the breath like you do in class, using breathing techniques to bring your energy down to ground you and give you strength. Or practicing a couple of sun salutations in the morning when a full sequence or class doesn’t feel like the practical thing to do. Certainly, don’t beat yourself up about it for not doing it in the ultimate way. Life fluctuates like waves on the water.

Keep it simple, integrate it into your life and thank yourself for whatever you do that is outside of old patterns. Your lifestyle is already changing to support the health of your mind, body and spirit. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just be present.

Natasha Gunn, Makingspace2change

Source of quotes: The Yoga-Sūtra of Patañjali