These days, when you go to YouTube looking for a little yoga movement, it is very likely that you will become overwhelmed with the thousands of options I know I am, and I am an expereinced yoga teacher! How do you know which videos are going to give you what you want, keep it personalized, and help you to feel better?
Yoga is a highly individualized practice. Unlike other sports or physical activities, there are not rules or one-way-right-way standards in yoga. Even in the world of yoga teacher trainings, there is no one-size-fits-most. And there shouldn't be! Because you are a one-of-a-kind individual, you deserve a yoga practice that matches. But how do you find that?
Yoga practices can be personalized in at least two major ways: 1-you find a teacher that has a style of teaching that you really vibe with and it is easy to follow along with their instructions because you feel safe and taken care of 2- you give yourself permission in whichever guided practice you are in to listen to your body, what you need, and make adjustments throughout.
For option 1, you are likely going to need to date around a bit until you find that right fit. Good signs that you may have found that teacher for you; they connect with every person as they come into the room, the teacher offers variations and options within the practice, the teacher gets to know you over time (when in person) and starts to challenge you personally or give you specific help to improve your practice. As you grow, it is very likely that you outgrow a teacher because they continue to offer ways to get better through their instruction. It is usually at this point that the teacher might suggest continuing your study by doing yoga trainings or certifying as a yoga teacher yourself.
If you are personalizing your yoga practice for yourself (option 2) - brava! Having the ability to tune into your own expereince and trust yourself as an authority on yoga is next level! Certainly within the yoga philosphy we are continually challenged to work with our limits in both mind and body AND knowing how to discern what is the next best thing for you is the ultimate guide to personalizing your practice.
In both scenarios, when yoga becomes a practice that is internalized, you are truly practicing yoga. Knowing and understanding that practicing yoga is more than doing poses that look a certain way is a crucial step towards life-long wellness and personal growth.
So, date around a bit, find the yoga that is your fit. Internalize your yoga practice to make it truly personalized.
If you would like to hear more about how Nancy found yoga as a very personalized practice check out this podcast where she is talking with fellow yoga teacher Shannon Fritz.
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