How to maintain the discipline in my daily practice?

Have you ever come across some struggles in maintaining your daily practice? Although people often refer yoga to a way of ‘self’-discipline, I think we can all agree that some days can be a bit more difficult than others.

Even though, it should be a ‘self’ discipline, a little help from the external can be very supportive.  For the past years, in order to keep my practice on track I have applied many different methods.   I would like to share some with you and I hope they can support you in any way.   Maybe one or two methods sound funny.  Hey, as long as it works!

 

1, Connect to your heart

Whatever drove you to yoga in the first place, I am sure it holds a great significance in your heart. On a difficult day, when you are struggling to get started with your practice, just place your hands on your heart, with your eyes closed and reconnect to that element.  Maybe it is a higher purpose, a great longing, or whatever that you hold important to your life.  Take a moment to re-connect and remind yourself the great cause behind your action.

 

2, Visualize the after effect

Despite the pain sometimes you might feel in the body, if you haven’t stretched for a while; most of us will agree that the effect of yoga is clearly visible.  To motivate yourself, a simple way is to visualize the after effect and re live that sensation again:  the feeling of joy, peace, relaxation, fulfilment and satisfaction, or whatever experience you might have… How can you deny yourself to those amazing sensations?

 

3, Graphic path

To maintain a mandala or a period of preparation, I always keep a graphic record.  It is a simple piece of paper where I list the dates, name of the practices.  As I complete each of them, I mark it with a solid circle.  For whatever reason, if I missed one, I will mark it with a cross.  There is no judgement over it, it is a simple recording.

Over a period of time, as I look back I could see clearly my practice path in a graphical way.   Then I took a moment to reflect on the journey I went through and re adjust myself going forward.

To face the up and down sincerely can be a powerful way to get yourself back on track.

 

4, Point your own auditor

If you need a kick on the butt every now and then, you can also point yourself an ‘auditor’.  It can be anyone who you don’t want to ‘lose face to’ or a person on a similar path as you or someone who simply understood what you try to accomplish.

After explain your purpose, you can simply ‘report’ to your ‘auditor’ your daily progress.  This can be a simple message via Whats’App as: Day 1, Surya Kriya, 3 cycles x 2.   The ‘auditor’ doesn’t need to do anything, you are the one who is responsible for the reporting.

Initially it might feel a chore, but after a few weeks you will see that you are much more established and the frequency of reporting can be gradually reduced until you are fully on track.

 

6, Regular correction or review

Regular correction or review sessions can be extremely supportive.  During the training, we have review and corrections very often.  Each time, it is like re-learning the practice again.  There is always something new for me to learn.  At the same time, I noticed the corrections were gradually refined and my flexibility was clearly improving.  This encouragement just keeps me going for a long way.

Take a regular correction or review session to get your postures checked and discover a new layer of snow in your practice.  Even a minor correction can be significant. It will support you in a long way.

 

7, Reward yourself

Last but not least, do not forget to reward yourself with some delicious healthy green raw food.  The body, mind, emotion and energy can get a great treat from a healthy meal.  Not only will you feel lighter, happier but your body will also become flexible and agile. With less barrier in the body, you will enjoy the practice even more.

 

Disciplined way of practice is like a nourishing water.   With daily watering, attention and care, the flower will definitely blossom and the tree will soon bear fruit.   Find your own fun way discipline and enjoy the practices!