Yoga for Motivation!

Image ©OKDavid

I have always had a tendency to over-analyse – making endless lists and plans, instead of going ahead and actually taking action. There are, however, two things which have really helped spur me on over the years: (a) The encouragement of friends, one of whom regularly recommends I adopt the Nike mantra “Just do it!” and (b) Yoga!

Here are the reasons why I believe yoga has helped inspire me to take action over the years:

• Competitive and pressurised situations often discourage me from taking action because they cause me to put myself under scrutiny – and I am more likely to hold back as a result. However, yoga encourages acceptance – both of oneself and one’s situation; and I feel so much more inspired to take action when I am at peace with myself.

• Yoga’s emphasis on organic development as opposed to reaching a final destination has helped me accept life’s stumbling blocks as valuable lessons from which I may progress (or, at worst, as mere temporary “blips”). Similarly it has helped me feel gratitude as opposed to complacency during periods of success.

• Yoga causes one to focus on the present moment; and I find this helps prevent me from ruminating on the past.

• Yoga helps people to observe themselves and their situations objectively; and this raises self-awareness and understanding of what might be the most appropriate action to take. I am sure yoga must have had such an effect over me.

• I have chosen to interpret the concept of karma to mean that it is within everyone’s own power to make changes to their personal situation, if only they take positive action! Where it might appear as though bad luck is occurring, it is possible to change the course of events, with one’s behaviour and self-belief. I am naturally a sceptical person, but I try to convince myself of this!

• To state the obvious: A general sense of well-being always has the effect of putting a spring in one's step! The physical and mental effects of practising yoga are both energising (ie. relieving symptoms of lethargy) and relaxing (ie. releasing tension).

• The practice of yoga involves mental concentration and discipline (for example, in the case of the balancing poses). This is good training for increasing one’s focus on completing tasks.

For anybody else who has trouble with motivation, and/or has a tendency to procrastinate and/or make decisions, I would definitely recommend they try yoga!