You need both of these every day
I am often asked what my yoga practice looks like. So here is a sneak peek at what I practice every single day.
Currently, my practice includes a one-minute handstand hold.
Sometimes I practice against a wall, sometimes away from the wall. Then, I add 10-15 minutes of upper body and core strengthening exercises using 10-20 pound weights. After that, I hold a seated fold...maybe wide-legged, maybe bound angle, maybe pigeon. It depends on what I am feeling in my body that day.
Then, I practice 5-10 minutes of pranayama/breathing. I LOVE kapalabhati in the morning, and I may add some sighing breath, nadi-shodhana, etc....
Finally, I end with the Japa mantra and meditation. I've been practicing the Gayatri Mantra with some mudras and kriyas, and several other mantras counting repetitions with my mala beads. Currently, this part of my practice takes at least 15 minutes.
If I am short on time, I focus on the one-minute handstand and the Japa mantra.
On top of all that, Josh and I have been practicing mantra and kirtan every evening for the past two months. We had a Netflix habit for a long while, and we both got tired of it. Now, we chant for several hours every evening. It is such an incredible feeling of joy and love.
Bonus: we canceled a few streaming services and are saving a little money. And, we have many new chants to share at our next Kirtan event!
There are two philosophical concepts I always bring up when discussing practice: Abhyasa and Vairagya. These terms are often called the "twin pillars" or "wings of a bird" in yoga. They represent seemingly opposite ideas that work together to achieve spiritual progress.
Here's a deeper look at these terms and how they work together:
Abhyasa ( अभ्यास): This translates to "practice," "effort," or "cultivation." It refers to the dedicated and consistent practice of yoga, including postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, mantra, and ethical principles (yama and niyama). This isn't about how hard you work, it's about the sustained effort and discipline required for growth. It's showing up even when you don't want to.
Vairagya (वैराग्य): This translates to "non-attachment," "detachment," or "dispassion." I often bring up the Bhagavad Gita when describing Vairagya and detachment. The line repeated throughout this classic text is: Do not be attached to the fruits of your actions. It doesn't mean complete withdrawal from the world, but rather letting go of expectations, desires, cravings, and aversions that cause suffering.
These two concepts tell us that we have to show up and do the work, for the sake of the work. Yes, there are some clear and real benefits of practicing. You will get stronger. You will feel more focused and relaxed. But Yoga philosophy guides us not to get too attached to those feelings. We show up and do the work every day for the sake of doing the practice.
There are many days when it would be easy to skip my morning routine. Maybe I have a busy day, or I feel sluggish. I know those are the days when it is even more important to practice yoga. The consistent habit matters more than the specifics of what I am doing, or even how long I am practicing.
I find these phrases help me to cultivate a better relationship with practicing detachment:
I let go of being perfect.
I embrace the unknown and the unexpected.
I stay open to the field of possibilities.
You can also apply this Sanskrit mantra as a helpful tool:
Om Anandham Namah
(My actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome.)
What does your daily practice look like? It doesn't have to include asana–maybe you like to go for a walk, or to journal? What matters most is your devotion to practicing every day.
How attached are you to the outcomes? Are you flexible if you need to change your routine?
Reach out and let me know!
