Yoga and Consistency
Consistency, I wrote about in a previous post, is my nemesis. My motivation feels very black and white, I’m either all in or not in the boat at all (or maybe just occasionally in the boat). This seems to be my mode of operation when it comes to both diet and exercise. The times I feel most consistent are when I have a rigid routine. But, once I fall off, I really fall off; and sometimes it can take weeks or months to get back on track. I know this is a similar feeling for a lot of people. But, I also have friends and family who are very consistent about their diet and exercise. I have just never been one of them. It’s one of those things I’ve been critical of myself in the past. I know that I can make changes, and if I put my mind to it, I can be that consistent person I admire.
I do give myself some grace and try not to be too hard on myself (maybe that’s my biggest problem?). When I look back on my yoga journey, I can say I have been consistent because I can look through a long lens. I started yoga while on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2009 when I lived at Polestar (an intentional, spiritual community I wrote a little about in my post on eating a Nutritarian Diet). That was over 15 years ago, and I have been practicing yoga since then. However, the daily, weekly, and sometimes even monthly consistency can be hit or miss. Weeks and months can go by, and I may not make it to a class. Other times, I go every week.
Today, I went to my first yoga class since having the baby. It felt so nice. It truly is my happy place. There is nothing better than finding a studio and teacher you really enjoy. It becomes a welcome community. The studio (Tosha Yoga) and teacher I found here in Arcata are magical. Suzanne, who owns the studio, has a way of making the class challenging, but in a soft, creative way that never feels boring. She infuses spirituality and poetry, and it’s such a lovely way to start the week on Sundays. I’m fortunate to have a physical outlet that I love and an able body to practice.
It’s easy to become complacent in this body and not take advantage of building strength and stamina, and I admit that is my weakness sometimes. I don’t want to take this healthy body for granted. Where is the balance between becoming the best version of yourself and not being too critical of your shortcomings? I believe that question can only be answered individually. We can always strive to do better and take notes from those around us who we admire and want to be more like. It’s okay to fall off the train and get back on over and over and over again. Because down the road, you’re still making progress.
One additional comment I will make is that having children truly changes the game. I don’t have an abundance of free time to myself anymore. I have to strategically find time in my day and week where I can be baby and toddler free. I don’t want that to be an excuse, but it is a reality, and I have much more limited time to focus on myself these days. I know this time is temporary and beautiful, and I am so grateful for my children. So, I don’t want to complain, but I do miss the days of endless free time all for myself. It’s a journey, and this post really is about encouraging myself to remember that I am not perfect, but I am making progress. I can and will continue to make more progress towards my mental, spiritual, and physical health.
