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Five bad Yoga habits you need to break
1. Stop comparing yourself to others. It really does not matter what anyone else can do, so stop feeling bad about the people who seem to be more advanced than you. Likewise, don't let yourself get too excited if your poses seem "better" than a fellow student's. We are all on our own paths here. Staying true to yours will keep your ego from getting involved and also reduce the likelihood that you'll get hurt trying to keep up with the person next to you.
2. Stop comparing yourself to yourself. Tricky, right? Thinking about what you can do right now compared to your expectations or your past performance can be just as troublesome, and possibly injurious, as competing with the person next to you. Each day offers us a different body, so don't worry about that awesome pose you were able to do last week but seems elusive now. It's all just experience, so labeling it as good or bad is a habit worth breaking.
3. Stop being a creature of habit. Challenge yourself to try different places around the room, or even try a new class or studio if you're feeling like you're in a rut. Changing your physical perspective can help you change your mental perspective too. If you are in the habit of inwardly groaning when your teachers calls for ab work or parivrtta ardha chandrasana, see if you can change your ways there too.
4. Stop listening to the teacher. OK, you should listen to the teacher most of the time, but don't forget who's really in charge here: you. If your teacher instructs a pose with which you don't feel comfortable, if it causes you pain or aggravates an injury, don't do it. No one is inside your body but you, so you're the one calling the shots. And if a teacher gives you a hard time about it, find a new teacher.
5. Stop being nervous about speaking up. If it's your first yoga class, you have an injury, you are pregnant, you are scared of handstands, speak up! Some teachers will go around the room asking everyone how they are at the beginning of class, others may not, but part of taking charge of your yoga experience is making sure your teachers have all the information they need to safely lead you. If it's a private matter, tell them one-on-one before class. Likewise, many teachers invite students to stay and ask questions after class. Take advantage of this! Most teachers are thrilled to help you delve into your alignment or brush up your Sanskrit.
2. Stop comparing yourself to yourself. Tricky, right? Thinking about what you can do right now compared to your expectations or your past performance can be just as troublesome, and possibly injurious, as competing with the person next to you. Each day offers us a different body, so don't worry about that awesome pose you were able to do last week but seems elusive now. It's all just experience, so labeling it as good or bad is a habit worth breaking.
3. Stop being a creature of habit. Challenge yourself to try different places around the room, or even try a new class or studio if you're feeling like you're in a rut. Changing your physical perspective can help you change your mental perspective too. If you are in the habit of inwardly groaning when your teachers calls for ab work or parivrtta ardha chandrasana, see if you can change your ways there too.
4. Stop listening to the teacher. OK, you should listen to the teacher most of the time, but don't forget who's really in charge here: you. If your teacher instructs a pose with which you don't feel comfortable, if it causes you pain or aggravates an injury, don't do it. No one is inside your body but you, so you're the one calling the shots. And if a teacher gives you a hard time about it, find a new teacher.
5. Stop being nervous about speaking up. If it's your first yoga class, you have an injury, you are pregnant, you are scared of handstands, speak up! Some teachers will go around the room asking everyone how they are at the beginning of class, others may not, but part of taking charge of your yoga experience is making sure your teachers have all the information they need to safely lead you. If it's a private matter, tell them one-on-one before class. Likewise, many teachers invite students to stay and ask questions after class. Take advantage of this! Most teachers are thrilled to help you delve into your alignment or brush up your Sanskrit.
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