Affirmations

Visualize the result of your regular yoga practice.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. WHY are you committing to your yoga practice? (Healthier back? More mobility? Deeper sense of peace? To sleep better? Let go of depression?) What is YOUR reason? See it clear, and imagine it's already yours. It happened. You are done. You are there. Now hang on to that picture and don't let it go. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

"I feel connected."

I know how easy it is to take too much on and find yourself running around in circles like a headless chook. During these times, your mind can start to go along a different path than the one your body is on. This often leads you to feeling scattered, and it's not unusual to make poor choices from that space. When that happens to me, I use this intention to reclaim that beautiful sense of mind-body connection which always leaves me feeling calm, quiet, and content.

Shtira and Sukha

Steadiness and Ease (two qualities of asana)

TRY EASIER ,NOT HARDER

This is the perfect description of what is needed for challenges we face in yoga—do it, but don't force it; let it come and follow the breath. Let go, but keep doing. Enjoy the moment. "Try easier" is a simple yet effective mantra, allowing one to open up to experience a stronger and deeper yoga practice. This is not the same as being "weak," or "lazy." There is nothing easy about this approach to yoga practice. There is strength in being what an old PE teacher would probably call "soft." Letting go of our attachment to the outcome of our practice clears our mind and dispels our self-imposed limits.

Talk about your commitment in past tense.

Watch your language. Repeating words like "I really want to start practicing yoga, but..." will keep the action of actually "going" in the future. Replace it with: "I have committed to practice yoga." Remember: we already know yoga is good for us. We are now working on building it into our life. Accept that the bond has been made already, and our only job now is to show up...for US. The most important person in our life. There will be a time in every practitioner's life when showing up to the mat is not a question anymore. I believe this, because I have seen it so many times. My heroes are men and women of dedication and perseverance. For me, showing up on my mat daily is as important as brushing my teeth in the morning. My practice keeps me grounded, centred and still.

Take this analogy: Imagine you are a scuba diver.

When you first dive into the ocean, the waves will push you in every direction. Floating is hard, and it surely takes a lot of effort. But with practice, you learn to dive deeper. The deeper you are floating, you become more motionless and less effort is necessary. From here, those superficial, surface waves will not bother you anymore. You are deeper then they are. Just look up at the ocean of your mind and you will see either "This is a sunny day up here" or"Today is very stormy" but the place where YOU are is still—untouched by the weather and the superficial changes of life. I hope you will keep trying to dive deeper. I'm on the journey with you and therefore I'm grateful.