Discipline and Balance

Discipline and Balance

Discipline and Balance
Once you’ve given thought to your yoga needs and pieced together a yoga practice that’s right for you, try to be as disciplined about your approach to practice as possible. No matter which approach to yoga you decide to follow, remember: Yoga is not a “quick fix.” Its benefits are cumulative, and may seem subtle, especially when you first begin to practice it.  Allow yourself the time to practice yoga regularly for awhile before you judge its effects. All too often, men begin a practice of yoga by taking a course or two, and then abandon the practice because they don’t feel or see immediate results.
 

If you’re just beginning your practice, try to approach yoga with an open body, mind, and heart. Suspend your judgment and give yoga the benefit of the doubt. Commit to practicing yoga for at least four to six weeks, and see what effect it has on your life. In practicing yoga, it’s very beneficial to be regular and disciplined. Ideally, try to practice yoga at least two to three times a week for an hour or so at a time. If that doesn’t work for you, then try to practice as often as fits into your schedule for as long as you are able. But do try to be regular and disciplined to reap the greatest rewards from your yoga practice.
 

In crafting a yoga practice that’s right for you, also keep in mind the principle of balance. As one of my teachers advised me: “If you’re in a hurry, slow down. If you’re going slowly, speed up!” You may want to explore styles of yoga that counterbalance your predominant character and personality traits. If you’re a “Type A” overachiever, you may find yourself naturally drawn to a vigorous style of yoga such as Ashtanga Yoga. But then again, you may benefit from a relaxing style of yoga that will help to restore and renew you. If you’re a sedentary man, you may want to include some classes in a vigorous style of yoga to get the physical benefits of the practice. And no matter where you are in your life and what style of yoga you are drawn to, you can always mix and match styles to create your own eclectic yoga practice.
 

And remember to listen always to your body and your breath: They are your own best teachers.