The Practice of Yoga: Purpose vs. Convenience

Ever started cooking a recipe only to find you were missing the pink Himalayan rock salt? The one ingredient that not only added depth to the dish, but an inviting and inspiring color to the garnish. In this moment you make a decision: use the table salt you have in the back of your pantry, go to the corner store and hope for the best version of gourmet salt, or you drive to the specialty store 20 minutes away and risk the entirety of the dish being over-cooked or served way after bedtime. Does it really matter what choice you made? No, not really. But if the intention behind the meal was to savor the complexity of flavors and the art and flare of cooking, maybe the table salt fell short of those expectations. Now if you were just really hungry and needed something in your belly, table salt is the perfect choice.

I bring up this scenario related to food to make a point about purpose and planning. Imagine if days before you decided to cook the meal you sat down, looked at the recipe and made a list of all the ingredients, then went to the store and stocked up. The state in which you prep and cook the meal would be more mindful and perhaps fun and enjoyable because you knew with certainty you had everything you needed to cook and enjoy the meal.

Now to layer this onto something a bit more intangible, the food for your soul. You realize it is time for some yoga. You can tell not because your tummy is grumbling, but because you're a bit on edge and a little irritable, so much so that your family and friends are recommending you take some time for yourself. You acquiesce.  You glance at the rectangular oracle (your phone) and find the next conveniently available class without regard to the teacher or format. This will probably get the job done in the time that you have, true. But imagine spending the time once a week to plan for your practice, one that reminds you of the joy of being here and now, despite the obstacles that life can present. With planning, that teacher, friend or class will benefit from your energy in being there, time will magically appear in your day because the class is on your calendar, and that fantastic yoga outfit is already in your car. You’ve committed, not only to the class but to your well-being; and those are the kinds of experiences that offer sustenance for the busier, trying times.

Is one better than the other? In my opinion, no. Do what you can and make it practical because if it’s not practical, you won’t do it, and some yoga is better than none. 

Try it! Plan for a new class, a new teacher, meet friends, or see a teacher that you haven’t practiced with for a while. Trust me she (he) would love to see you too.

Namaste,

Kim