Yoga ‘A-ha’ moments; ever have one?
Have you ever had an ‘A-ha’ moment during your yoga practice?
Don’t worry if you didn’t.
Not every yoga practice is a life changing moment but instead builds moments to a life change.
After Savasana, I always prompt this:
“Take a few moments to check in with how you feel.
How do you feel physically, emotionally, mentally, energetically, and spiritually?”
What does all this mean?
Yoga isn’t just the physical practice. Yes, we get on the mat, we move physically but when we move physically, it effects everything else.
Ever go into a fitness class or dance class in a foul mood but walk out feeling SO MUCH BETTER?? Yeah, it’s because of all the beautiful hormonal changes that happen when we move our bodies…
Moving your body has been scientifically proven to keep us healthy. It creates the happy hormones; Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, & Endorphins.1
Once you stop moving, your body starts to weaken and things start to deteriorate.
Physically AND mentally. Because…MOVEMENT IS LIFE.
I digress…(and I gracefully step off my soap-box)
Here’s what I’m really asking you to observe and think about at the end of each practice.
- Notice what you feel physically. The good, the not-so-good, and the bad.
i.e. tingling, tightness, weakness, stretched out, muscle fatigue, soreness, etc.
~ By taking notice, you learn what poses, what style of yoga, what breath work, and what meditations work for you and your body.
2. What do you feel emotionally?
i.e. boredom, excitement, sad, happy, peaceful, or maybe you can’t label what you feel.
~ If a wave of emotion comes up, do your best to experience it, even if it’s uncomfortable. By experiencing it, you’re allowing that energy to release. Releasing allows space for new energies to replace them.
3. What’s going on mentally?
i.e. are worries popping up, are you anxious about something, are you thinking about something else or someone else, do you want to stay longer, (Monkey Mind) etc.
~ A big part of practicing yoga, is observing our thoughts. This is the perfect time to do so. Just ‘cause the thought is there, doesn’t mean it’s true or you have to act on it.
4. How do you feel energetically?
i.e. are you fidgety, fatigued, sleepy, calm, re-energized, etc.
~ These signals help you figure out if and how the practice helped you, or not.
5. What, if anything, has come up spiritually?
i.e. any ‘A-ha’ moments, epiphanies, or personal realizations, any noticeable changes within yourself; how you cope with stress, life changes, beliefs, etc.
~ Sometimes, this is as simple as an answer to a complex issue you were having…maybe how to resolve a relationship issue or how to execute a plan.
I’ll say this: not every practice is going be a life changing epiphany. Sometimes we get these awesome ‘A-ha!’ moments but more often than not, the changes are subtle and appear over time. This is why having a consistent yoga practice is important. Small changes culminate to create awareness and mindfulness.
Have you had an ‘A-ha’ moment during your yoga practice? What light bulb went on for you?
Have an awesome day!
Namaste my friends.
1Shah, A., 2020. Happy hormones: 4 chemicals that activate happiness and how to increase them naturally. [online] Everyday Science. Available at: https://www.everydayscience.blog/happy-hormones/ [Accessed 11 June 2021].