Got Nothing Out of my Practice Last Night

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I had a first last night with my practice. I did my practice and was feeling like I was not getting anything out of it. I usually find that as I go through my daily practice, I usually gain some kind of word or knowledge out of my practice be it a thought, or little pearl of wisdom. I did not see that happen last night. I finished my practice and sat down to write about it afterwards and that is when I realized I felt disconnected and did not get anything out of it and I had no idea why.

I know as a beginner and I know that my advanced practitioner friends may say it is totally normal and I think they are right. It just felt so strange to not feel connected last night. I am not going to let it damper my practice or my getting on the mat each day but my thoughts last night were just not connecting to my asanas or my breath. How do people on the board work with this when it happens?

#2

For me there are two elements here. The first is the efficacy of one’s selected practice over time. The other is how to deal with the result or by-product of that practice.

For the first, it has been my experience that an asana practice alone is not as nourishing (again, over time) as a more robust practice. At the beginner level asana is experiential and foundational and at that level it would likely feel robust. Over time this can wane.

For the second, I tend to use self-acceptance and non-attachment to deal with the residue of my practice. When I become dependent on a particular result or feeling from my practice that practice strays away from rather than toward profundity. Instead my practice gives what I bring and what it can and that is different every time I practice.

So you can try to release your attachment (raga) to getting something AND also deepen your self-exploration while you are practicing AND end your practice with gratitude for being able to do it rather than for what you’ve been given from it. If that fails to work for you, perhaps consider doing your practice for something greater than yourself.

#3

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;65039]For me there are two elements here. The first is the efficacy of one’s selected practice over time. The other is how to deal with the result or by-product of that practice.

For the first, it has been my experience that an asana practice alone is not as nourishing (again, over time) as a more robust practice. At the beginner level asana is experiential and foundational and at that level it would likely feel robust. Over time this can wane.

For the second, I tend to use self-acceptance and non-attachment to deal with the residue of my practice. When I become dependent on a particular result or feeling from my practice that practice strays away from rather than toward profundity. Instead my practice gives what I bring and what it can and that is different every time I practice.

So you can try to release your attachment (raga) to getting something AND also deepen your self-exploration while you are practicing AND end your practice with gratitude for being able to do it rather than for what you’ve been given from it. If that fails to work for you, perhaps consider doing your practice for something greater than yourself.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for your wonderful insights. I think tonight I will concentrate on just enjoying the time on the mat and not necessarily getting something out of it outside of the feeling of just enjoying my practice. I got so used to gaining some small pearl of wisdom that when it did not happen I got a bit unnerved at what I felt was lacking. I remember something one of my favorite people taught me which is go into your practice with an open heart and that will be enough for you. Thank you again for your wonderful insight…it is very appreciated:D

#4

We all have practice moments like this from time to time.
The important thing is that you’re tending to your practice.
If your awareness keeps shifting, be in the moment with your shifting awareness, and you are still yoga.

#5

[QUOTE=reikihealer83;65036]
[B]Got Nothing Out of my Practice Last Night [/B]
How do people on the board work with this when it happens?[/QUOTE]

I think to myself it was better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips.

#6

Were you distracted? Not focused? Did you feel that you would have been better off if you didn’t do that practice?

I always find that I never regret doing a practice but there have been plenty of times that I have regretted not doing a practice.

TL

#7

Were you distracted? Not focused? Did you feel that you would have been better off if you didn’t do that practice?

I always find that I never regret doing a practice but there have been plenty of times that I have regretted not doing a practice.

TL

#8

[QUOTE=TattooLady;65094]Were you distracted? Not focused? Did you feel that you would have been better off if you didn’t do that practice?

I always find that I never regret doing a practice but there have been plenty of times that I have regretted not doing a practice.

TL[/QUOTE]

I think my mind was distracted on a level I did not realize and it impacted my focus. I did not feel like i should not have done the practice I just felt like I did not connect with it that night. Took last night off to gather my thoughts and I will be back on the mat tonight. I think my mind is so frustrated with job search that it impacted me on the mat that night.

#9

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;65084]I think to myself it was better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips.[/QUOTE]

This is very true. I did sleep well that night as well…sounds to me this is such a normal thing that happens:)

#10

I think yoga practice is like life. Some days are good and some aren’t so good. In the end they all come together though. “It is what it is”

#11

Reikihealer83, you came to the conclusion I was suspecting. :slight_smile: My thought was that it wasn’t the practice that failed you, but that you were not fully present in the practice, so did not feel the full benefit you usually do.
Also, InnerAthlete made an excellent point as well, which I think helped you realize you were also attached to a certain outcome. We are complicated beasts, you had a couple of things going on there.