admin Feeling down about Downward Dog? Burned out on Sun Salutations? You may be suffering from “alaysa,” listed in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as one of the obstacles to yoga practice, along with disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, sensuality, and false perception (1.30).
It is perfectly normal to be unmotivated at times despite the many benefits of yoga. After the honeymoon phase of yoga, resistance, and boredom can creep in and sabotage progress.
There are still ways to maintain the momentum that comes with regular yoga practice.
Here are a few suggestions to get you back on the mat:
Find a yoga partner.
It’s not without reason that spiritual teachers stress the importance of sangha or spiritual community. You need people to encourage and support you when the going gets tough. An English study revealed that women who exercised with friends were more likely to exercise harder than those who did it alone. You’re more likely to show up when you know that your friend is counting on you.
Take part in a yoga challenge.
You might have heard it takes 30 days to change or form a habit. Why not take on a month-long yoga challenge? You can find many online challenges (such as DOYOU’s 30-Day Yoga Challenge), which will help you stay on track while learning new asanas.
Check out Instagram for a variety of yoga challenges that will suit your interest and skill level. Stay motivated (and accountable!) Tracking your progress over the month is a great way to stay motivated. You’ll join a community of yogis by using hashtags.
Aromatherapy can boost your practice.
The right essential oils will increase your motivation and focus for your yoga practice. Try out essential oils to find scents and combinations that inspire you and lift your mood.
You can use bergamot or sweet orange oil to refresh your mind, ylang-ylang or lavender for relaxation, and frankincense for grounding and stabilizing the mind.
Use different methods to spread the fragrance. For example, you can spritz your home yoga area gently, apply it directly to your pulse points, or use a diffuser/oil heater. Follow the instructions carefully and take care when applying the oil to your skin.
Try a different playlist.
Start rocking to new tunes and get out of your comfort zone. Enjoy some new and exciting sounds instead of the same old tired music. Why not switch up your workout music from new age to jazz or reggae if you’re used to listening to it? You can ask your yoga friends for recommendations. You can find pre-made playlists on Spotify and Apple Music. Or, check out this morning’s Yoga playlist.
Tune into spiritual inspiration.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali advises us to focus on anything that elevates our spirit (1.39).
There are many resources available to help you uplift your soul. You can listen to inspiring podcasts, watch videos on YouTube featuring saints and holy people, or read about yogis. You can fuel your practice by bringing in spiritual inspiration. Yoga is about more than just loose hamstrings or firm abs.
All yoga practitioners eventually experience low periods. This ebb-and-flow of motivation and mood is a good reminder that everything is impermanent and that the yoga slump will pass. Try something new, keep your spirits up, engage your senses, and get back to the mat!
