Thoughts of taking a break

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ll admit it - after years of regular practice, a couple of years teaching, and self study here and there, I’m thinking of taking a break from it all. I came to yoga like many for physical benefits and have gained more than I could imagine. Yet I’ve always stayed on the surface - not going too keep - not reading or studying or going to workshops to continue my development.

I don’t have a geographic advantage of a large local yoga community or multiple teachers and studios so I’ve learned the little I know from my own efforts on a non consistent and very haphazard schedule “when I have time” .

I have my theories of why I haven’t studied more - maybe I have fear about thinking maybe I’m just lazy and don’t want the responsibility of knowing more - all of this has led me to wonder out loud to some friends and I’m here now about stopping Yoga altogether.

Has anyone else ever had these thoughts ? Does anyone have any suggestions?

#2

Hi there! In fact I have had those thoughts. For different reasons. (I have Apollo much Yoga where I live, I got overwhelmed. Lots of negative feelings came about, mostly confusion.) Here is my advice, take down your asana practice. Step up to Yin or restorative. Also, just sit. Close your eyes. And simply sit. 5 or 10 minutes a day. And a really great book. Preferably an inspirational one. I hope this helps. Namaste, friend!

#3

thank you for the laugh!

I do believe that I take myself way too seriously. Actually, because of my work schedule, I only make thursday AM yoga practices…9AM is a great kundalini then at 10AM I teach YIN for and hour and a half!

and I love reading!

thank you

#4

Yoga is the practice of Awareness, you can still consider yourself practicing Yoga without necessary be engaged in long asana practice, as noisyyogi said, just 5-10 min everyday to connect yourself and continue observing your self during the day ( as much as you can) it’s a complete sadhana by itself . Yoga is not a fitness regime, even if internet or many newspaper give that impression.

#5

I have my theories of why I haven’t studied more - maybe I have fear about thinking maybe I’m just lazy and don’t want the responsibility of knowing more - all of this has led me to wonder out loud to some friends and I’m here now about stopping Yoga altogether

You were never into yoga otherwise this question would not arise. There is nothing for you to stop because nothing was started.
For real Yoga practice , you don’t need a set up of whole community dealing with yoga. Real yoga comes when you are alone.

#6

I must agree with Soham here. I agree because if Yoga was a true passion this question would never arise. In anything you do in life, if you are not pushing yourself to new levels or taking on new challenges you will naturally get bored and lose interest.

Now, I don’t know you but I can tell from your post that Yoga has become a chore for you and chores stink! You have lost your passion for your practice and thus, your mind is letting thoughts creep in like “should I just quit”, “I don’t have a big community so its hard for me” ect ect and this is simply your mind expressing your boredom with Yoga.

I would suggest you expand your practice. I recently activated an instagram account and started following other Yogi’s across the globe and that has greatly enhanced my practice as I can see what other people are doing with their practices and add new things to my practice. It has been such a rewarding expereince that I actually have started sharing my practice on Instagram as well. This could be a way for you to find new movements. Another thing I like to do is practice outdoors in awesome places near my home and I like to take pictures so I combine those two to create awesome pictures of myself practicing in beautiful places. That has cerntainly sparked my practice as well.

Also, maybe try and learn new poses. Do you have handstands in your practice? That is certainly a great way to get back into yoga if you have lost some interest. Learning to handstand has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, I can say Im an addict, haha!

Hope this helps!