As with everything in life, I find my yoga practice goes in cycles. What might seem interesting is that the cycles are more about what part of my practice I am actively engaging in at any given time. While I am always doing my best to live in a yogic way when I am not on my mat, I am not always actively practicing each of the three most commonly known yogic behaviors – asana (the poses), pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation.
Instead, I do my best to listen to my mind and body and engage in the parts of practice that I feel like I am in need of… and often, this is where I see cycles or patterns emerge. At times I really need to get on my mat and move my body. I tend to find this happens when I need to process big emotions — moving my body in a smooth, controlled way seems to let the emotions flow in a similar manner — giving me space to deal with them.
Other times, often in periods of high stress, I rely heavily on my pranayama practice. Using techniques like 4-7-9 or alternate nostril breathing to help me calm my agitated nervous system. This isn’t just a yoga thing, btw – there is a lot of scientific data out there on the power of breathing. If you are interested in more info on that – check this article from the University of Washington: https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/stress/why-deep-breathing-makes-you-feel-so-chill
My meditation practice shows up for me most often when I am actually doing pretty well. When life is flowing and I feel like I am keeping up — then I rely most heavily on my meditation practice. Believe me, I can hear some of my own meditation teachers giving me a talking to over this… telling me that my meditation practice should be part of the harder times too. I’m keeping it real here though, and that’s just the truth right now. That doesn’t mean it will be the truth forever.
I want to invite you to think about some of the cycles that show up in your life – entirely for your own self-understanding and awareness – which is part of your yoga practice too.