Discipline and routine versus holidays

Hi everyone,

My first week back at teaching yoga after a long break. I’m glad to be getting back in the routine of the classes, hope my students are happy too after their first class of sun salutations, locusts, leg, arm and core work. They will probably feel the work tomorrow !

It’s interesting how happy I am to go back to the routine of working, after looking forward so much to the holidays. I think that no matter how nice it is to anticipate the days of having to do nothing, once you’re there it can also make you feel lost. So is it true what they say: can you attain freedom through discipline?

I’ve noticed myself I like the discipline. It serves me well. The discipline of arriving on my mat every day, no matter how I feel and just take it from there. The discipline to listen and accept my feelings, emotions, knowing that even though the feelings are real, to not believe in them, and possibly not act from them. The discipline of reminding myself that the reasons that I have those feelings and emotions, are not real anymore. Those reasons are usually long gone. The discipline of reminding myself of that, every time again and again. That now things are ok. To just observe and say the mantra ” this too shall pass”

All these things seem to come easier to me when I’m back in my daily routine. It helps me to remind myself of all I can do, to remain aware of what is really happening. And not believe in how my mind/ego interprets what is happening.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

Hope you all too, will experience, the freedom that routine and discipline can give you.

Esther


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5 Comments

  • Hello Ester:

    I thank you for sharing with all of us your positive and inspiring thoughts. I hope that you and your husband had a wonderful time duribg your vacation. Welcome back!

    Arnold

    P.S. I am new to your site and am very impressed with your work. May your success continue to inspire others as it is inspiring me.

    Comment by Arnold Sep 10, 08, 3:33 am

  • I have been craving that discipline. You’re Sun Salutation was awe inspiring and I am not dedicated to the Yoga Practice.
    Thanks for your site!!

    Comment by Adria Sep 10, 08, 4:05 am

  • Thanks guys, I’m grateful for all your positive comments!
    Yogatic!
    Esther

    Comment by Esther Sep 10, 08, 1:01 pm

  • Hi Esther,
    I’m a just qualified (5 days ago) yoga teacher and am looking forward to teaching in a couple of weeks, I have just discovered your site and find it really helpful.
    I will be teaching Triangle but wondered if you could offer any sugestions as when I practice it I get lower back pain, I’ve tried narrowing my stance but it does not seem to help, any ideas?

    Pauline

    Comment by Pauline Sep 11, 08, 2:46 pm

  • Hi Pauline,

    I’m glad you like the website, when I first started teaching I was looking for something like this and it wasn’t around, so thats why I decided to make it!

    About your question, it is difficult to say what the problem might be from a distance, it is usually something to do with alignment, to be sure I should see you doing the pose.

    However a few tips that might help!
    - Keep the legs as strong as possible, knee caps and thighs drawn up in the hips. knee caps aligned with the toes.
    - Remember the rule, strong legs healthy back!
    - Let your back hip come around to the front and extend your body out (reaching forward) before bringing down the bottom arm. So basically keep your spine straight and make sure the side bodies are both same length. Don’t dump in the bottom side body to get further down. and don’t draw the back hip back if the back hurts!
    - Use a block underneath the hand to support the back, lengthen strongly out through the top arm, gives you strength to learn not to lean too heavily on the block, till you don’t need it at all anymore.
    - come out by strongly lengthening out through the top arm (as if someone pulls you up) going in and out of poses is when most practitioners get hurt!

    Hope this is helpful, i would really appreciate it if you would let me know how you get on with these tips.

    Yogatic!
    Esther

    Comment by Esther Sep 12, 08, 2:01 pm



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