There’s a secret weapon in your arsenal when it comes to your asana practice. And it’s not your poppin’ quads.
Your state of mind plays a huge role in how your practice goes. If you’ve ever tried to handstand after a stressful day, you’ll know what we’re talking about. An anxious, unbalanced mind often shows up in an angry, unbalanced practice. So how can you use your mind to your advantage in yoga?
Pay attention to your mood
Raging after Rocket? Furious halfway through a five minute frog pose in Yin? Take heed. All of the emotions you let out on the mat have probably been swirling around at the back of your mind all day (and perhaps for longer). No need to do anything about them, but it’s good to know what’s driving your decisions.
Stop trying so hard
“Just let go!” is probably the most infuriating cue when you’re pushing hard to get into an advanced asana, but it is really solid advice. Give up on trying to put your foot on your own head. Be gentle with your incredible body and think about how each part of it feels instead. You’ll be amazed at how much faster you progress this way.
Focus on the bits that hurt
A caveat: if it tingles, feels numb, or there’s a sharp pain, then back the heck off. But if the pain is just some tight, tight fascia getting a good stretch, focus on it and try to really feel it. Sounds irrational, but it’s incredible how impermanent that kind of pain is. Within ten seconds of focusing on it, you’ll notice that it’s never exactly the same feeling. There’s comfort in the fact that those burning hip flexors will burn in a different way in ten seconds.
Regulate your breath
Holy moley, this is a tough one if you’re in your nemesasana (nemesis asana – don’t tell us you don’t have one). Use counting to slow your breath and direct it to the areas that feel particularly challenged. The longer you can sustain a calm and slow breath, the more benefits you will reap from the pose. This is totally applicable off the mat too – breath through life’s problems and you’ll find they’re a little bit easier to withstand.