Never Stop Starting: Embrace Consistency for Lasting Growth in Your Practice
If you've struggled with consistency in your practice, you're not alone.
It's relatively easy to start something new, but keeping up with things is what makes the difference.
So let me back up for a moment.
Back in 2007, when I took my first yoga class, I didn't realize what I was getting into...
At that time my body was so tight that I couldn't even straighten my legs. Touching my toes seemed like a pipe dream.
And it wasn't because I was super muscular either. Sure, I had dabbled in fitness - mostly running and lifting weights - but I never stuck with any of it consistently.
Looking back on it, I was comically tight, and in average shape at best.
And so it was that I signed up for a class with the deceptively innocent name: "Beginner's Ashtanga"
In retrospect, calling this class "Beginner's" was an almost cruel misnomer. Actually this class was a 1/2 version of the Ashtanga Primary Series.
For those who don't know, this is a non-stop power vinyasa flow with dozens of planks, chaturangas, and downward dogs. Easier than the full Primary Series for sure, but still laughably hard for a brand new student.
See below:
I did half of this - with vinayasa between almost every pose!
Some 90 minutes later I laid on my mat in savasana, my body exhausted and drowning in sweat. (I didn't even realize I would need to bring a towel.)
And yet, as I lay there my mind was blissfully calm. The weight of the world seemed to lift, and I felt alive in a way I hadn't in years.
Even though I struggled through the whole class and couldn't even do half of the poses, a categoric shift had just happened.
Something deep released in my mind...
...and I knew I wanted more.
And so began my yoga journey.
I'm not sure what it was about yoga that was different, but I found something that kept me coming back.
I would soon discover Yin Yoga and Meditation, adding a calmer and more introspective form of practice. I met my teacher Josh Summers, who I still study and practice with.
While I stuck with Ashtanga for some years, like many things my practice evolved. I learned about alignment and other practical details of yoga.
In 2010 I took my 200 hour teacher training, and started down the path of being a teacher myself.
Fits and starts
To be clear, it was not always a smooth and easy process. I wasn't always consistent and dedicated.
There were many mornings when I talked myself out of practice and skipped it altogether.
Other times I went through waves where I would just do the least amount of practice I could to get by. Sometimes I would get frustrated and even want to quit.
But eventually, I would always come back.
And that's what has made the difference.
Mountains from Dust
Which brings me to one of my all-time favorite Japanese proverbs:
Even dust when piled high, can become a mountain.
Or, in the original Japanese:
塵も積もれば山となる (chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru)
Wherever you are, yes YOU - you can begin on this path. And even if you've already started your journey, I want to remind you of the importance of continuing to return back to your practice.
Every day, every moment, is an opportunity. You can either take these opportunities, or you can let them slip away.
As you might imagine, I would urge you to definitively take them - again and again.
Even the smallest bit counts
While my first yoga class was a whopping 90 minutes (I don't even think many studios offer those anymore), you don't need to commit to anything nearly so long.
Every unit of practice matters, and nothing is too small. In fact, if you can do small practices consistently, you will get far better results than doing larger practices only occasionally.
Whether it's a stepping on your yoga mat every day, or coming back to the present moment again and again throughout your day, every little bit counts.
While they might not seem like much, each speck of dust will build over time to create the mountain of your practice.
Go forth and make it happen
Yoga and meditation have helped me with so much over the years.
I've gotten more flexible and strong. I learned to calm my mind and my anxieties. I learned about the importance of discipline and consistency.
Years of practice can lead to this sort of transformative shift, and you can always start the process just as I did.
But the most important thing is though, through all the permutations, is not to stop. Keep going and notice what happens over time.
You might be shocked by how all the results compound over the years.
And, so I share this with you to offer some inspiration. Start right now. Notice this breath. This moment.
If you have enough time, roll out your cushion or mat and do a longer practice. You can even pencil one in for later if right now doesn't work.
Take pride in each moment of practice. They are the backbone of something much larger. And never be afraid to start right now.
If you'd like to practice with me right now, you can check out one of the dozens of free classes on my YouTube.
For live classes, either in-person or online - see my latest class schedule here.
To make the most optimal progress in your practice, contact me to schedule a one-on-one session.
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