The 7 ways a daily yoga practice changed me
My practice wasn’t constant until I met Adriene. She taught very engaging classes on youtube. The clips were short, I was convinced.
Inspired by a friend’s story, I decided I was going to try a 30-day yoga challenge. I just had to pick from Adriene’s list of «30-day journeys ».
In the first few sessions, I was cursing and hating her. She pushed me.
My internal dialogue looked a little like: “Fuck this. It’s too hard. Oh come on Arthur, just keep going. Oh, that feels good now! No! No more crunches!”
But she always found a way to make me laugh.
And because I knew I’d laugh, I kept going.
When the 30 days were over, I thought that with all the momentum I had, it’d be a shame not to keep going. I committed for 30 more days.
And 60 days became 90 days.
“Well now practicing yoga every morning is just something I do,” I said to myself.
I’ve been practicing every day ever since.
Here’s how Yoga changed me:
-Focusing is easier.
By learning to focus on my breath, I’ve learned that no matter how distracted I get, I can always come back to my respiration. Staying focused is like walking a dog: it’s excited and runs after everything, you give the direction, pull on the leash, and reel it in.
-I prioritize my health.
I am still learning every day what it means to be healthy, though most would say I’m a very healthy person.
Adriene’s mantra is: “find what feels good.” Every day, I choose (as best I can) to focus on that which gives me deep happiness.
-I am more thorough and consistent.
It’s just easier to do the things I said I would.
-I am better equipped to be there for others.
I recognize when it’s time to prioritize me time over being with others. Which makes me in turn more available when I do show up.
-I drink less.
I’m less attracted to booze. Because I’m more aware of my body and because my body is less used to drinking, the hangovers are insane. I can’t move for a day afterward, and I’m not willing to pay this price anymore.
-My intuition is sharper.
Decisions seem less brainy and rational. They’re more heartfelt, and somehow end up working better.
Paradoxically, I’ve seen a steep increase in my capacity to connect to logic, finances, planning, and thinking philosophically.
-I’m a happier person.
Even though I don’t have a clear idea of where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing in a year, I am happy. It’s become easier to sit with the unknown because what I am afraid of only exists in my mind. And when I come back to the breath and my body, I relax.
I consistently find myself thinking positive thoughts and feeling gratitude for the things around me.
