In the “Yoga Sutras,” Patanjali stresses two key conditions for yoga success: persistent practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya). With daily practice, these two elements, along with other good habits, can bring about more effective results for your yoga practice.
On the path of personal growth and improvement, we should shift our gaze from others to ourselves. We should always compare ourselves with our own yesterday, fully commit to the training, and enjoy the process of persistent effort. This mindset will make us more relaxed and better able to focus on enjoying the present.
When undergoing scientific training, we need to ensure the correctness of our postures. Incorrect training may gradually cause harm to the body, so every detail of the movement should be adjusted to the correct position. Only when in the correct position can the body truly relax and stretch, bringing benefits to the body.
As a beginner, understanding the structure of various yoga poses is very important. After understanding their structure, you can effectively avoid injury during practice. Moreover, seeking guidance from an experienced yoga teacher is equally important for practicing correctly and avoiding injury.
As the practice deepens, not only will the muscles and skin of the body change, but awareness will also quietly improve. Yoga is different from other sports; it does not rely entirely on the body’s flexibility or habit but on cultivating sensation and awareness. Many people are accustomed to using force incorrectly while performing movements, rather than exerting strength in the needed muscle groups, leading to some muscles not being adequately exercised and becoming lax. Therefore, awareness of these parts should first be enhanced. Once awareness is in place, correct exertion is possible, breaking the inertia of incorrect habits.
Practicing yoga requires endless patience. It often does not bring immediate effects; it requires long-term effort and persistence on days when no changes seem apparent. Some yoga poses, like the headstand and shoulder stand, need to be held for several minutes, and patience is particularly important at these times. True progress stems from meticulous training of each pose, rather than seeking quick success and instant benefits.
Regular yoga practice is also crucial. Compared to practicing for just two hours each week, insisting on 20 minutes of daily training is more effective. The bodily changes brought about by regularity are gradual, and the body will get accustomed to and look forward to daily practice. If interrupted, discomfort will be felt.
Yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar once said, “In the material world, money can do many things; but in yoga, that ‘big money’ is the breath.” Breathing is very important for yoga practice. It can help us practice more deeply, but to use the breath correctly it cannot be hasty, it should be natural and steady, teaching us to relax and stretch.
Finally, acceptance is an indispensable part of yoga practice. Many people start with beautiful expectations for yoga, but after a few practices, they want to give up because of the pain in their bodies. To achieve results, one must accept this pain; it is a necessary path to change, and this pain will not only last once or twice but will accompany years of practice. Therefore, accepting pain also represents a commitment to growth.
In the pursuit of health and tranquility, yoga, as a widely popular practice, is often mentioned. It not only helps maintain harmony of body and mind but is also a deep experience of exploring the self through continuous practice. In this process, we may encounter a series of challenges.
In order to enjoy this yogic journey more comfortably, we need to attempt to feel the comfort in our body and mind while addressing pain. Understanding how to maintain psychological stability and readiness when facing challenges is a key step in practicing yoga. Everyone will encounter a so-called “plateau phase” on the path of yoga practice, during which it may feel like there’s no significant progress in poses and techniques, as if everything is at a standstill.
The busyness of life and work often makes it hard for us to find enough time to practice yoga with focus. However, in such situations, one need not be overly concerned about carving out a complete block of time for practice. Even just 10 minutes can be a valuable period of practice. You can use the time during a washing machine cycle for a quick yoga session, or spend five minutes each morning practicing Sun Salutations upon waking. Before bed, choosing to perform some gentle movements that promote sleep for ten minutes not only improves sleep quality but also counts as part of a yoga practice.
Therefore, it is recommended to persistently practice yoga daily, maintain self-confidence and patience, and regularly engage in awareness. These small practices, when done consistently, will eventually be recognized and rewarded. Yoga brings a special kind of sensation, one that can only remain fresh and profound through day after day of practice. Therefore, maintaining continuous dialogue with your own body and sustaining positive feelings is of paramount importance.
