Where You're at Yoga

Many years ago, I went to the same Pilates class I’d attended for two years. Normally I sank right into the routine, even the painful moments. But that day, I just couldn’t. One thing made the day different from any other day: the next night, I was scheduled to leave for Paris.

Paris!

I’d only left the country to visit a friend in Canada, and that had happened with someone else’s help. Paris had happened with coordinated effort between myself and my former partner. I got through the warm-ups. I got through the 100. Then I realized I almost hyper-extended my legs doing hip circles.

Not only could I not concentrate, I could not get my body to stay in the correct form. I’d already caused a nasty sciatic flare overextending myself on a Pilates ball. I did not want to ruin a walking-heavy trip by injuring myself the night before.

I got up in the middle of class, cleaned my map and stashed it, waved goodbye to the instructor, and left.

So when you tell me you’re too stressed out for yoga, even though yoga is a great way to reduce stress, I believe you.

Some days, no amount of Sun Salutations and timed breathing can corral a runaway brain.

No one activity suits every person’s needs. Some folks need different physical activity. Others need a different discipline. Sometimes it’s just a bad day.

If you can’t get your brain into a yoga practice, here are some exercises to try, to try to send a love letter to your parasympathetic nervous system:

Deep Breathing

Try to take 100 deep breaths, a full inhale and exhale cycle for each, in a row. Most people don’t make it. If you realize you have stopped counting, start over.

Count

Don’t want to breath, because your asthma and allergies are acting up, or because you have a cough? Counting forwards and then backwards from 100 can bring you some calm.

Move

Put on some music and dance. Don’t put on some music and dance.

Sing

Karaoke. Just sing to sing. Don’t worry about who is listening, the activity tends to bring out joy, or at least relief of hard emotions.

Journal

I’m someone that thrives on longform writing. Journaling, making notes of my thoughts about the passing days, brain dumping, to-do lists, wish lists – unpacking my head onto paper can free up a lot of inner space.

Try a Different Yoga Practice

Sometimes the head not being in it is because the body just needs something new and different. If you practice Hatha or Vinyasa, try yin. If you’re used to slower, gentler forms and flows, explore Vinayasa. Look into a different aspect of yogic practice for what speaks to what’s happening your life.

Give Yourself Grace

Some days, you’re just not going to have it to practice. Gently invite yourself to return to it every day that you can. Celebrate by giving yourself a little applause and some bright colors when you’re in a place to do so.

It is OK to not be OK. If you fully accept a day’s not OK status, you’ll take steps towards being OK again all the sooner.

As you learn your stress baseline, you’ll learn what days yoga will be most beneficial to you. Those baselines – that’s how you know where you’re at.