We’ve all been through stages in our lives where we lose our mojo. It doesn’t matter what it is, we can all lose our rhythm and lose touch with doing the things we love the most, Yoga is no different. As a yogi and yoga teacher, I know I go through stages where I struggle to get on my mat, which is funny because deep down, yoga is the one thing I love doing the most. Whether its teaching, creating or just doing my own thing, being on my mat is something I love. So, when I lose my mojo, it really pushes me off balance, and knocks me, but then at the same time, I really struggle to get back on. If you’re feeling the same way, or you’ve felt the same way, the first thing to remember is, You’re not alone. There are so many people out there who feel the same way. The second thing to remember is, be gentle on yourself. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You will eventually get back on your mat, in your own time. And if you don’t, that’s ok. Remember, nothing in life is permanent and things change constantly.
So how do we get back on our mat and find our mojo? I feel it's important here to think deeply about what it was that brought you to your mat in the first place. Whatever the reason may have been for you, think deeply about it and sit with that for a little while. This right here may be the Tapas of your yoga practice, the passion and determination to follow your heart’s desire. What sets you on fire. For those of us unfamiliar with what this means, Tapas is the 3rd Niyama of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of Yoga. The Niyama’s are the 2nd limb, and there are 5 Niyama’s, (Tapas being the 3rd)These are our moral codes that we try to live by as Yogis. So, what is it about your Yoga practice that tapped you into the Tapas in the first place? Can you relight that fire?
If finding your Tapas again is still evading you, we may have to look for another solution. Ask yourself why you are avoiding your mat? Are you stressed, tired? Is it the thought of a challenging vinyasa flow that is turning you off or lack of time? If this is the case, than consider an alternative practice. Instead of a challenging vinyasa flow, try a gentle restorative practice or Yin. If it is lack of time, than a 20 min practice is still a practice. It does not have to be an hour to qualify.
Maybe it’s the physical practice itself that is causing a blockage, no matter if it is vinyasa or restorative, if this is the case, try yoga Nidra or work to deepen your meditation practice. The 3rd limb in Patanjali’s 8 limbs is Asana. Asana meaning seat or posture and can be explained as the posture that prepares us for meditation. It can be easy to think of the asana as just the physical movement of our yoga practice, but asana has a much deeper meaning than just the movement or athletic physical flow that we often see in a yoga practice. The deeper meaning of asana is a posture that we can move through and maintain whilst still focusing our mind and breath. Asana can teach us patience. Our yoga practice will not respond to force, rather it responds to patience and time. So, if you are struggling to find your yoga mojo consider the patience that the asana can teach us, the physical practice or the seated preparation.
Lastly, take a deep look at yourself and turn inwards. Tap into Svadhyaya, the 4th Niyama, Self-Study. This Niyama is where we dive deep within ourselves and practice self-reflection. Right now while you are struggling to get on your mat could be an opportunity for self-reflection to really get to the heart of what it is that is causing the blockage.
Be gentle on yourself, practice Ahimsa, show love and kindness to all, including yourself ❤️