Yoga should be a tool to release everything in your brain which does not serve you. This is always a work in progress and some days are much harder than others. There are days when we are simply not in the right mindset. Wobbly days. We have all had those days when it is simply hard to balance. In life and in yoga. In yoga, poses we mastered the day before may feel impossible. Or we try a familiar pose and we fall out of it. Life metaphorically mirrors yoga. On wobbly days, tasks which we sailed through before become hard and challenges we met the day before with ease, feel unattainable. 

Can we use yoga and mindfulness to bring our mind back to a better place ?  Not always. We often rush frustrated through our day, our practice. Finding ourselves at the end of the day mad that we did not achieve what we wanted to. I certainly have those days.

But, sometimes I can refocus. I can reframe the unbalance as a reminder of how far I have come and how fragile and humbling learning any skill can be. Frustration transforms into a release as I realize that task or that one pose has to fight through all the clutter and become that ONE THING.

When I am teaching yoga and I see students having a wobbly day, I try to remind the class to practice self compassion. Gently, remind them they do not have to endure a pose which might not be working today. There are other options. To treat yourself as you would a friend and accept there are challenging days. Pat yourself on the back for all you have achieved - and that it is enough. You are enough. Then I offer an opportunity for them to reset, come out of the pose, come back to the breath, clear their mind and try again. 

This is the yoga gift. 

You can take the muddy water of your mind and filter it, until it becomes clear. Put anything which is not serving you at that moment aside so you can see the present clearly. But it takes practice. Here are some secrets to success: 

1. Observe what is happening without judgement.

2. Let go of any expectations.

3. Give yourself permission to pause and reset. 

4. Allow yourself to leave things aside for now. 

5. Give yourself the gift of being in the moment. 

6. Start with one deep breath. 

On the yoga mat you have already dedicated time to your practice so 1-6 are easier. Finding time to wade through your everyday clutter to find clarity, takes time and courage. There are so many demands on your time and thoughts. But following the same steps 1-6 can often save us time. Give it a try. Bear in mind it may take multiple tries. Like this Newsletter which is publishing four days late. : )

Good luck Yogis. Happy April. 

Red Cat Yoga has been offered a fantastic opportunity to host cat yoga for the next few months. $25 per person for some purrs and strokes while you strike your yoga poses. At the Biscuit Cat Cafe Saturday 10am -  Sign up.  HERE

Thank you for being part of this community.  

Stay sthira sukham - Stay Steady and Joyful. 

Laura McCracken

Owner and Founder of Red Cat Yoga

Please consider writing Red Cat Yoga a google review or sharing details with a friend. I am passionate about spreading the word about Yoga. If they are beginning their yoga journey please let them know about our Fundamentals of Yoga Class. More Info HERE

Feel free to contact me at anytime with ideas or comments. redcatyoga@yahoo.com I am ready to help.