How To Master Difficult Asana Poses: The Power of Patience

When one embraces the true practice of yoga, patience is crucial. Yoga therapy can help you cultivate patience, and patience can help you cultivate - well, your yoga goals!

Catchy photo of a yoga pose (Scorpion) that I still cannot do ;)

As yoga students we cultivate patience by noticing and accepting through all five "layers" of the koshas: we notice our physical limitations and honor them so we don't end up injured or in pain. We observe the breath and notice if we are holding- or allowing the pose to lead the breath, as opposed to allowing the breath to be our guide. We observe how our practice is affecting our energy -is our energy over-abundant or are we becoming depleted? Can we relax and allow the practice to unfold, so we sense how that affects our energy level and feel what is appropriate on "this" day? We watch the stream of thoughts (beliefs? opinions?) that often become our habits, and allow a detached sense of witnessing to occur. We learn to develop patience with our emotions, realizing that what we are thinking is likely to determine what we are feeling, and use it as a guide to bring us closer to our true self - and to happiness. We are learning to allow for a gradual unfolding of our practice. - like the petals of a lotus.

So what is keeping you from enjoying where you are right now, from enjoying your yogic journey? It is often the very habit of always looking toward doing something 'more", being someplace else (further, higher, better). Never is the yogic art of patience more important than when we aspire to do more advanced asana. Perhaps it was a photo you spotted in Yoga Journal, a video or meme you saw online, or a student or teacher in your class, but you got the idea that somehow you NEED to do that pose. What can yoga-and the practice of patience- teach you about that?

There's a purpose to my logo, and to the name of my program: A healing journey. Notice the stepping stones leading you to a heart-centered space. The path allows you to move forward - or take steps backward if necessary. There is no space along the path that looks any "better" than another. All of the steps eventually lead to a goal. There is no sense of urgency, just one of curiosity. That's also a reason I describe yoga asana suggestions (poses) as "destinations" you might visit and explore...none better than the other, just a different destination. There are interesting things you can see and experience, learn from and explore, at each and every destination - or stepping stone - along your journey. What exactly lies at the end of the journey is up to you. My hope, as a yoga therapist, is to help you find the path, explore fully each stop along the way, be aware of how the journey is unfolding for you, and patiently allow for the "goal" to appear. It is to assist you in learning how to heal yourself of all of the pressure of the "should'" and "shouldn't", the "have-to", the "can't", the "I don't have time" or the "I'm not good enough", or any other obstacle you might encounter (or throw) in your way. And to do it in your own time, in your own way, but from your heart, with self-awareness - and kindness - and patience.

"Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it's how we behave while we are waiting." - Joyce Meyer

Now you might be asking "How does that get me to that pose?" Well, we can understand that each and every time we show up on our mat, we are one step closer to realizing that goal. Perfect practice makes perfect. Body gets stronger, breath gets steadier, balance, mobility, and focus improve. We could realize that the journey to that goal might be one step forward and two back - especially if we get sick, or end up injured from trying so hard! We could also recognize that we are moving in the right direction, moving through fear -or anxiety -or impatience. We could honor our body by noticing the improvements we are making, the way our bodies feel. Recognize the baby steps are making our hearts happy, our souls sing, and our minds clearer. Maybe we let go of a timetable or just trying so darn hard. Or maybe we could let go of the NEED to do it at all -especially if we KNOW it is out-of-reach for our level or age, due to injury or anatomy. Or perhaps because we are only trying to do it to "impress" someone (usually imaginary!).

How that journey unfolds is up to you...so just get on your mat and practice. And enjoy the journey. After all, yoga therapy has prepared you by cultivating patience every.single.step.of.the.way.

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