A yoga practice is meant to be done consistently and over a long period of time. While there is the goal of enlightenment, it is not assumed that one will reach samadhi within an individual lifetime. In a goal oriented society, that could potentially be hard to grasp. However, while it isnāt necessary to reach an āend goalā within yoga, it is assumed that oneās yoga practice will grow overtime. Even though we may not reach nirvana right now, one should still strive to move the needle forward in gaining peace, integration, and contentment. Whether youāre a beginner or a seasoned yogi, hereās 3 tips to grow your yoga practice.
Find the teachers that resonate with you.
Iām not talking about the teachers whose playlist you can dance to or the teachers who you can talk about your late nights with, not that thereās anything wrong with this. Iām talking about the teachers who provide the container for you to step into YOU. Iām talking about the teachers who you learn something new from when you take their classes. Iām talking about the teachers who show up authentically and grounded, which naturally creates space for you to do the same. This applies to yogis of all levels because teachers sometimes cycle out of studios. If your favorite teacher leaves after 25 years of practicing with them, it would be in your best interest to find another teacher who helps you continue your journey of growth and connection.
Participate in concentrated learning experiences.
This includes but isnāt limited to specialized classes, workshops, trainings, courses, privates and/or retreats. There are many different formats for these types of experiences from 2 hours to several weeks and beyond! You might do a 2 hour long workshop focused on the pelvic floor or you may decide to do a 10 month long teacher training. Either experience is what I would consider to be āconcentratedā because youāre diving deep into the topics at hand. There are so many options to choose from live or online, but every time I have decided to do a workshop or course (especially with teachers who resonate with meā¦see point 1), I have walked out having gained knowledge and a deeper awareness/understanding of myself.
Try different styles and lineages of yoga.
Every style of yoga and every lineage of yoga has something different to offer. To grow your practice, itās best to expose yourself to the various teachings that this ancient practice has to offer. If youāre used to power yoga, try taking yin classes and/or restorative classes. If youāre a vinyasa only yogi, try taking Iyengar yoga classes to learn more deeply about alignment and prop usage. The more perspectives you can gain from the different offerings of yoga, the more knowledge you have the opportunity of embodying. This will grow your overall understanding of yoga, and of yourSELF.