Motivation & Commitment: Yoga Gold from Jeanna Lax
photo by Jeanna
by Jeanna Lax
Sometimes you are not going to feel like going to yoga class. That’s ok, and it’s totally normal.
Motivation ebbs and flows throughout our lives, but getting to your mat on those harder days often will surprise you.
Someone recently said to me: “I’ve practiced yoga for over 10 years, and I have NEVER left a class with regret for showing up. I always feel better after class no matter what kind of day I am having, or what is going on in my life.”
“Motivation is what gets you started, commitment is what keeps you going.”
I totally agree. Yoga is the gift that keeps on giving you strength, balance, focus, patience, resilience, forgiveness, stamina, relaxation, peace, & self-love. I could go on and on.
On the days when you lose that motivated feeling, you will have to rely on your commitment and intentions. Taking care of ourselves takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Self-care has a ripple effect on your life, your relationships, your work, and your health.
Your commitment can be to your self-care, but it can also be to the community. We are here to support and connect with each other as well. The power of community, is often all that we need to feel motivated and connected.
Feeling isolated and alone can zap our motivation very quickly. Being surrounded by like-minded yogis, sweating and breathing in a room together, can instantly bring you back to your child-like and happy self.
Not only is your presence motivating others, doing activities with a group of people actually increases the Oxytocin released in your body. Oxytocin is the happy hormone.
So when you are feeling lackluster, remember that just breathing and moving in a room full of people is going to make you feel great! That in itself could be motivation enough.
What matters most: you are carving out time in your day to become silent and pay attention to #1… that’s YOU!
If you need another tool to keep your motivation and commitment, create an intention. An intention is bringing your attention to a quality or virtue that you want to cultivate. Remind yourself of your intention each time you head to practice.
Try these intentions:
photo by Jeanna
- Transformation
- Health
- Strength
- Growth
- Patience
- Gratitude
- Grace
- Acceptance
- Forgiveness
- Letting go
- Releasing negativity
- Being open to receive
- Peacefulness