How to make yoga a practice and not a chore.

[rawpromises]

My question ???? I have been an avid exerciser for years. Many times to the point of being anxious if I don't fit a workout in. I have done heavy weights at times, different forms of cardio, and even have run many races including a marathon. By far my one true love is yoga. Over the past two months I have lost my purpose for exercise in the form of it's intensity.. I can't bring myself to slug 15lb bicep curls anymore. I don't want to do hour long cardios. All I want to do is fine the inner peace and purpose yoga gives me. My problem is that in many ways I feel like I lose focus when I really am starting to get the point of serenity. For instance, when I ran the marathon, it was an all or nothing mentality for me. I map out a plan, stick to it, no holds bar. My focus the day before is what is on tap for the following day. Don't get me wrong, it was a thrill of a lifetime to actually run a marathon but still I feel that is not my path right now. Then for instance YOGA. I will practice yoga only for 3-4 months become really focused and then all of a sudden give up on it for one reason or another. I being to really love what I'm doing, then make it a chore.Why!!!! Then I will do other workouts, not really loving any of them. I will than get fustrated with myself for losing the peace and, flexiblity the yoga gave me and have to begin again. The mindset of yoga is what I love. Why do I give up on it. I really don't know. Am I afraid of where it's taking me internaly. I have questions but no answers.

Does anyone else do this to themselves??? Become commited to somthing they love but then push it aside for one reason or another. When I was doing heavy weights I don't know if I really loved it. I did it because of the way it made me look to be honest. Not for the way it made me feel on the inside. I practice yoga becuae I love it. If I love it, why do I give up on it. Now at 38 I don't want any workouts to be a chore. I want to workout because I love what i'm doing.

I don't even know how to miss a workout to tell you truth without guilt. Why is that ??? Any insight. I'm thinking of goals for 2011. One is to find meaningful workouts in my life ( yoga ) and then not be anxious over missing them or turing yoga into somthing I do instead of somthing I practice.. I know many people who can workout three days a week without thinking twice, listen to their bodies if they have a cold. What is it in me that won't allow that. Any insight or thoughts into my ramelings. Thanks.

[rawpromises]

Maybe the title as Yoga being a chore really isnt' what I mean. Yoga is not a chore but I ( myself ) turn it into one. Still thinking about what I just wrote out above. I think maybe there is somthing that makes me give up on yoga when it starts to hit home with me. I really do question what it does for me, if it's enough of a workout, or why aren't I doing what I use to do as far as workouts. When those questions arise I give up on yoga and being somthing else, to only have a month later back practicing yoga again.Hummmm. Thinking again.

[Revvell]

Actually, you do know. It's the monkey mind that says "I don't know". Who else knows? No one. One way to find out is to do sentence stems and completions. In this case, do the stem...

"One reason I give up on yoga is..." then, complete it with 6-10 responses. At first, the monkey will insist "I DON'T KNOW!!!"... yet, if you persist, it'll come to you.

Next one ~

"If I continued doing yoga when I wanted to quit...."

Another ~

"One reason I'm calling yoga a chore is...."

And on and on until you get to the sub-conscious reason(s) for quitting.

~ Revvell ~

[rawpromises]

Revvell- I have to say that this is quite eye opening for me. I have been sitting here with scratch paper with tons and tons of excuses it seems for why I quit yoga. I still am peeling it away but to be honest it looks like a load of crap. Some reasons I find are very valid but it takes a good bit of writing to get to the heart of this. I thought I was going to sit down write a few sentences and be done. But the more I write the more I think of, from, I'm tired of doing it, to I'm afaird to go deeper because I'm going to quit anyway. Really, I do do that. I'm also afraid if I stop that I wont' do any workouts ever again.

I had lost a ton of weight exercising that way. Sometimes I feel like I have to do that again in order to lose this weight again. That was eye opeing.

The one statment that was very easy for me was " If I continued to do yoga when I wanted to quit" This one was super easy for me.

I would be the person I imagine in my head who I want to be. Living a healthy life without anxiety over my next workout, without anxiety over my life and health. Eating a raw diet, no health worries. Very at peace with myself and my choices as I grow older. I would be living life the way I want to without giving up on myself the way I pictued it could be. Taking breaking without feeling bad about it. Not feeling like vigerous exerxise is the only way to health. Wow. I could go on and on.

I really want that. So it seems I need to go finish out the other two statments. I'll keep you posted. Thank you.

[Revvell]

You're welcome and thank YOU for your willingness to do the stems and go deeper. I often post some in response and most ignore them. You're willing to look and realize what's crap (monkey mind chatter) and what's the truth.

See, the monkey would like you to believe its crap and not look deeply yet, do these without editing, without thinking... you'll always know the truth.

Good on ya! :)

[RawLibrarian]

Am I afraid of where it's taking me internaly.


I am a yoga teacher (part time) and I think Rev's advice is spot on.

I also advise you to think about your question "am I afraid of where it's taking me internally?" The real changes that yoga can make in you transcend any physical benefits; sometimes change can seem intimidating.

Best of luck and I hope your inner wisdom helps you find the answer. It's there, inside you.

[Revvell]

"One reason I'm afraid of where it's taking me internally is...." (finish w/ 6-10 endings)....

OR, "One reason I'm afraid to examine where it's taking me internally is... (if in fact, you are).

[rawpromises]

I honestly appreciate anyone who takes the time to reply to me. Even if it takes some work on my part to get to the answers, I need somtimes for others to point out what is in front of me even if I don't like the outcome. So thank you.

All day long I have been going over and over on paper to get to some of these answers. I felt at one point really irritated too. One time I even put down the paper and said I didn't want to think about it anymore and move on. Light bulb..... So after much writing I have the answer to one of the other statements. I have to say I was suprised to find out how much self doubt I have.. I always thought I was laid back, knew where I wanted to go. How to get there, but I think I dont' go deep enough and that is why I fail. On the surface I seem to do all the right things but underneath I think I tell myself give up because I can't obtain what I want in my head.

So here it goes. One reason I'm calling yoga a chore. Surprise-- I make it one. Why??? I won't allow myself breaks to do other things or give my body a rest without guilt. Why??? I won't push myself over that place each time. Why??? I fear I will fail at the image of the person I want to be. Why will I fail at that person. ??? Because I have an all or nothing attitude. Either do it right or don't do it. Yoga is about being happy where you are at and apparently I dont' feel like I'm good enough where I'm at. What !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I really hate to say that. Are you kidding me. But there it is and I think it's true.

I'm going to continue to work on this Revvell. I have to sit with that for a while. It didn't surprise me that I have an all or nothing attitude but it does surpise me that I don't feel good enogh. I guess I play the part so well it didn't dawn on me.

[Revvell]

In the last 24+ years of doing my work, that's what it almost always comes down to ~ not good enough... don't know enough, not man enough, not woman enough, not slim enough... not enough right here, right now... which doesn't mean we can't improve.. As we are right here, right now, we are good enough. The reason? Because we exist. That's it!

Thanks for the feedback RP. You're doing GREAT! :)

[Stella Green]

The reason I give up on yoga is

1. I have such a small apartment, and I'd have to do it in the living room. This means my roommate might find out, and I'm super shy about anyone finding out about my yoga routine.

2. It's so cold! When I get home, it's difficult to want to stretch out my body because all I want to do is curl up under blankets.

3. I don't want to "waste my time." No, it's not actually a waste of time, but that's the pathetic excuse I give myself. I think, I should be spending my time on something "more important."

4. I have to do yoga on an empty stomach, and I'm always eating.

5. I'll probably just quit soon after I start, because I'm better at beginning something as opposed to sticking with it. Why bother.

6. I don't actually know what I'm doing during my yoga routine, and I'm probably doing it all wrong. There's no benefit in doing something if you're not doing it right.

Next one ~

If I continued doing yoga when I wanted to quit....

1. I could do it in the morning and it would make me feel both light and at peace throughout the day.

2. I would feel more awake and more in the mood to eat healthy and make other wise choices.

3. My flexibility would improve.

4. I would have more patience.

5. I would stop beating myself up every day because I actually DID do yoga that day.

6. It would just be a minor thing. It would just be a part of my day and I could tackle even greater challenges.


I'm going to stop there, because I really like the last sentence I wrote. I am so completely overtaken with the idea of turning yoga into something I just do, mindfully of course, but having it part of my routine as naturally as drinking water.

Thanks for allowing me the space to write this :).

[rawpromises]

Stella Jervis- thanks for sharing. It really is amazing what the mind can tell you. The bad thing is that we actually believe it, and then we live it.

Still working on my last question. I'm having such a hard time getting to the peak of this issue. Lots of it has to do with gaining and losing weight and lots of this has to do with being a failure once again which is what i'm manifesting as I go.

So glad I shared and was able to go though this process. Revvelle - can't say thanks enough. Who knew this quesiton would lead to so much more. For one thing it has led me to other questions ???

Why am I not satisfied with where I'm at.

Why am I not good enough. ( don't like that question but I will answer it anyway)

RawLibrarian- Wow, that is a good question. It seems when I read that post I immediatly did not want to know where it was taking me internally. Back to my childhood. That's where. Not that my childhood was awful but my parents were so combative. They had a parent child marriage. As a child I felt like my parents marriage counslor. Most of the time I felt responsisble for keeping them together. How this related to yoga, I think, it makes me feel not good enough, so why continue. . Wow. Hard quesitons with sad sad answers.

I'm on the right path. I really need to do this work for sure. Maybe then I can get my raw life and yoga life in order.

[Revvell]

One reason I'm not satisfied with where I am is ....

One reason I don't feel good enough is ....

You're welcome... and you're pronouncing my name Rev VELL in your head which is why you're mis-spelling it. It's REV vell. :)

[Conscious Midwife]

Grasshopper here just worked through a few of the questions and want to say thanks to the OP and REVVELL for the homework!

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=324458782432&id=a71ffed0c5f7c1256302a515ff4f147a&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ticotimes.com%2ftico.images%2 fretreats.jpg

Already cleared a space and pulling mats out in the morning.

NAMASTE :cool:

[monkapotapus]

Grasshopper here just worked through a few of the questions and want to say thanks to the OP and REVVELL for the homework!

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=324458782432&id=a71ffed0c5f7c1256302a515ff4f147a&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ticotimes.com%2ftico.images%2 fretreats.jpg

Already cleared a space and pulling mats out in the morning.

NAMASTE :cool:

I agree!
I am going to clear (vacuum) my space in the livingroom in the morning for my yoga session!! :)

[rawpromises]

Very true, I am saying it that way in my head. Got it now.!!! REV vell.

I think you helped most of us here this evening. Thanks eveyone for sharing in this process with me.

[Revvell]

*does happy dance all over the place* :D

[Stella Green]

I did yoga this morning. A short session but I feel wonderful, and more grounded. I'm so thankful! Namaste*

[monkapotapus]

I cleaned up my livingroom space & did a yoga dvd "Chakra Balancing Yoga" - 55min~ Yay!! :D

[rawpromises]

Me too. Did a live class with Baron Baptiste. a la' dvd....

[rawpromises]

On another note. Do you think yoga can give you all that you need as far as cardiovascular benefits as well as strenght training. I have read an article on which Bryan Kest said that he hasn't been proven that lifting a weight is more beneficial than lifting your own body weight. Any thoughts.

I do think that when doing power yoga or heated yoga you do get a very good calorie burn. I have burned myself 500 calories in a 90 min heated yoga class before.

[Revvell]

You answered your own question.

The only thing I can see with "heated yoga" is, they tend to do the same moves over and over.... After awhile, your body adjusts and you lose the efficacy. That's why I do different things EVERY day. Some bodyweight, some with Bulgarian Training Bags; sometimes with kb's or sand bags; clubs ~light and iron. Not boring and fully using my body. Getting in cardio as well as weight.

Today I'm doing Hunza breathing, stair push-ups, (both of these, I'll have a hundred a day done); Turkish get-ups with a small 8# ball (possibly 30-50) and squat, press, twist and squat with a large 8# ball (probably 50). I do these throughout the day which keeps me energized and my metabolism going. Oh! Also did some hooping and, may go for a walk later.

The more variety, the more fun for me AND the body is confused so, imo, a better playout. :)


On another note. Do you think yoga can give you all that you need as far as cardiovascular benefits as well as strenght training. I have read an article on which Bryan Kest said that he hasn't been proven that lifting a weight is more beneficial than lifting your own body weight. Any thoughts.

I do think that when doing power yoga or heated yoga you do get a very good calorie burn. I have burned myself 500 calories in a 90 min heated yoga class before.

[rawpromises]

That is a very intense workout. Turkish Get- Up's are very tough for me. I have never heard of Hunza breathing. I'm going to go google that now.

How often do you workout? If you don't mind me asking. I use to workout 6 days a week. Did this for over three years. I feel ( digging deeper into the layers) that it was the only way to keep my weight off since this is what I did when losing weight. It became a chore once again as oppose to what you are saying above ( feeling more energized ) I felt like I had to keep up that pace and it wasn't for energy or keeping my metabolism moving, it was more out of if you don't do this workout today your going to gain all your weight back. What horrible thinking, but it's true.. Then after running the marathon, I felt as if I needed a break and for some reason ( need to figure out why) I finally allowed myself one. From that point on I worked out for 5 days a week which is where I have been doing over the past year. I wonder how much is enough exercise for one person. The standards change constantly that I have heard in the media. First it was 3 days a week, then to 5 days with varying how long one needed to be active. I need to figure out what works for me. Lots of work going on in my head on many levels this weekend. It seems like the more I dig, the more questions I have. It's hard work. Honeslty. Somethings what I think about my thought process really puzzles me about myslef. I really need to change.

[Revvell]

Yeah, Turkish get-up is a (monkey mind is saying "miserable) challenging thing to do. Conscious mind says "challenging". :D

How I'm working that is, doing parts of it daily ~ or, every day that I playout. Notice I'm calling it playout rather than workout? Sounds more fun, yes?

Do you remember being a kid and how fun we used to have playing? when did that stop? Maybe when we called it "exercise" or "working out"? Was gym REALLY fun? Did our instructors really look as though they were in good shape? (mine didn't)

When I lived in Ct., I couldn't wait for the pond to freeze. If I could have, I'd have gone ice skating EVERY evening after school. In the summer, I'd go swimming EVERY day I could! No one told me I was overdoing it, blah, blah, blah!

Currently, it seems I train 2 days on, 1 off and that's not a thought out thing either. I just go by how I feel. Even on days "off" I may go for a 5,000 - 10,000+ walk and, the streets I live on and near are all hills.
I take one very intense 90 minute class every Monday evening as well.
My teacher of this class and two of his female students have played 1600 days straight as of Dec. 1, this year. Not one day "off".

I NEVER go by the media. They're paid to write articles and they HAVE to keep coming up with new articles or, actually, regurgitate some old ones. I don't listen to much of what others are doing or saying. Not my business; don't care. They don't live in my body.

When I was lifting weights I was told to do upper body on certain days and lower body on others. Crap! How about if we do full body EVERY day we feel to and make it play? That's what I say!

[rawpromises]

I love it. Every day we need to and make it play. That is what I have trouble getting in my own mind. Sure is eye opening when someone points it out to you. I really appreciate you taking the time to share and have this converstaion with me. It' s doing me wonders on many levels.:)

[Revvell]

You're welcome. Play on!!! :)


I love it. Every day we need to and make it play. That is what I have trouble getting in my own mind. Sure is eye opening when someone points it out to you. I really appreciate you taking the time to share and have this converstaion with me. It' s doing me wonders on many levels.:)