Motivation

Motivation - Kind of a scary topic! Thank you to my good friend Kenzi for requesting this topic! It completely pushed me out of my comfort zone since I too have my days (many) when motivation is lacking!

I can promise you one thing right now that I learned pretty quick with my own personal practice - Yoga is not a special pill you take to turn your muscles into laffy taffy, give you an appetite suppressant for junk food, and make raw kale taste like cotton candy.

Wait! Before you snort at me and leave, check out my other promise!

I can promise that yoga will make you feel good. On a great day you will be able to look at the parts of your body that make you feel insecure and love them. You’ll know they’re beautiful, they’re yours, and they work every day for you.

Since when is constantly searching for a way to change your body better than that?

And why is it so hard to stay motivated to be our best? Fitness-wise, Nutrition-wise, yes. But in every other aspect of life as well! As humans, we are in such a rush to see results in anything we do.

The problem when we are lacking motivation is in the way we think. Society and the media have made us think we need fixing. That all of our problem areas will change with one product or program. We start crazy diets and get discouraged when we don’t see immediate results. Yoga is completely different. It isn’t a fitness program. It’s a lifestyle change that melds it’s way into your life through your practice. It is a body and mind transformation.

So, how can you keep your motivation fire burning as you begin your practice? No matter how tiny the flame, you can fuel it into a bon-fire, I promise you!

First of all – We need keep those who give us our inspirations and aspirations in check. We need to make sure we choose our inspirations wisely, and make sure we surround ourselves by those who lift us up. In the modern yoga world, we have the beautiful benefit of social media. You can find women like you who are beginning their practice! Maybe they have fur babies all over them while in downward dog – just like you! Maybe they have a hard time with the same poses, or even better – maybe they are totally rocking the pose you have a hard time with to fuel your motivation to keep going! You can subscribe to a magazine that inspires you, or make a small commitment to go to one yoga class per week with the instructor who inspires you the most.

Shower yourself with this positive inspiration every day! If you continue to surround yourself with the things you want to be working on in your life (yoga, healthy recipes – this applies to anything!) – it will soon become your hobby and your passion!

Secondly – Keep that beautiful mind open. Always. Open to learning, especially. You will learn so much about yourself through your yoga journey. Be open to it and relish in it! If you are frustrated that you can’t get into a pose perfectly, remember that your journey through yoga is just that. A journey. What is the fun of a journey if you begin at the end? Enjoy your beginning & middle first!

I once heard an inspiring yogi give the advice to enjoy your journey through your poses, because one day you will be able to do it perfectly and then what? You’ll just be there. It’s what happens on the way that matters!

Third – Let go & let change happen. Once you love what you’re doing, realize the journey that you’re in is life changing, let the stress of “being better” go, and have fun – you will start seeing change everywhere in your life. I promise you this.

Last thing I want to add is to dismiss any judgement. Make this commitment right now - No judging yourself, or others. Your body is gorgeous, and when you open your mind to allow change to happen, your body will do amazing things. It will change on it’s own to maintain the strength you need for your practice. It will change composition the more you practice, so you’re able to get deeper into poses. But you can’t judge yourself for something by comparing to someone who is on a different part of their journey. If you find yourself in childs pose for the majority of yoga class – do not tear yourself down! That is where you are in your journey, and you know what? A few days/weeks/months later – you will notice how you are finally rocking your flow with no resting, and maybe the person next to you in class is stuck in their childs pose? We have all been at the beginning, and we all grow and learn at our own pace.

You also can not judge yourself when you have an “off” day. That is apart of the journey! It would be way too easy to have a smooth journey towards our goals, don't you think? It's in the struggles - the ups & downs - that we learn and grow the most!

We have days when we are on the top of the mountain, on top of the world even. And then there are the days when we’re back down in the valleys of those mountains. Motivation is knowing that the hike back up to the top of the mountain is an adventure. It’s a journey,

When we have a certain goal, any goal, it will never come easy. You can do this. This is for you, your body and your life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is your motivation equation, the list you'll need for your fuel:

Surround yourself with daily inspirations. – Keep your mind open & enjoy your personal journey. - Let go & let change happen. – No judging yourself or others.

Ok, one last promise! You will find joy in yoga, and your body will change. So will your mind. You’ll feel your muscles burning and working for you! That sensation will let you know that your body is working for you and the goals you have in place - whatever they may be! The physical aspects then melt into your mindset. You’ll finally be able to achieve something you never thought possible on your mat – which in turn makes you want to live more off your mat, because you know what you are capable of! Amazing things!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for this topic, Kenzi! And thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading this blog of mine. I know I am also at the beginning of my journey, and I can't wait to share it all with you as I keep learning and growing!

Have a gorgeous day!

xoxo

Ash

#motivation