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This time of year, everyone is making resolutions and promises and trying to be improved versions of themselves.
I was talking to my dad recently about motivation and he was telling me that he just doesn’t get excited about working out.
He was shocked that I could relate.
“You don’t love going to yoga?” He asked me.
I love having gone to yoga. I love it when it’s done. The majority of the time, when it’s time to go to class, I’d much rather stay home and lie around on the couch.
We have this idea that the rest of the world jumps out of bed with an enthusiastic vigor, dying to go to yoga/Zumba/the gym/whatever. We think there is something defective about us if we are not that way.
I suppose there are those nutty people who are hardwired with that kind of pep, but most of us don’t fall into that category. I certainly don’t. Luckily, we don’t have to.
Because we all brush our teeth.
Oral hygiene in itself is not a thrilling activity. It’s not something I normally look forward to or get excited about. But when I’m done and my mouth is all minty and clean, it feels good. And what’s more – when I don’t brush, my life gets unpleasant very quickly. I do it because when I don’t do it, things fall apart.
I see yoga (and meditation) that way. Sure, there are days where I am dying to get in the hot room and each posture is a joy. But usually, the motivation is in the knowledge of what it’s doing for me in the long haul. I have seen the proof that it makes my life and my health (mental and physical) better in a myriad of ways.
So, don’t worry if you are not the cheerleader who is jonesing for the adrenalin hit. You are just like the rest of us.
But get your ass on the mat, anyway, because that final savasana is going to be awesome.
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This couldn’t have been in my inbox at a better time! Off I go to class!
Woohoo! Have a great practice!
Reading this as I’m waiting for the last few minutes to tick by and I then I’ll drop my kids off at school before I head to yoga. At the moment, here in Chicago, it’s 12 degrees and the last thing I want to do is leave my house…but I’m finishing my banana and headed out the door! Sometimes it’s nice to know other people feel the same.
I think it is sooo much harder to motivate in wintertime. But you can do it!!
I needed this one today! Thanks!!!! And the funny thing is even after 2 years I still think I’m the only one in class who had a hard time getting myself to class π
Thanks
Lorie
Isn’t it amazing how we always think we are alone?? Thanks for reading and namaste!
Thank you! I needed this today too. Will unroll my mat this afternoon…
Good for you. Enjoy!
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This is awesomely true! I completely love being in yoga and HAVING GONE to yoga. I completely love having gone to teach. but getting up to do it… when there is a marathon of “My life is a lifetime movie” so difficult to get out the door! Thanks for sharing!
Ha!! Yes….I can relate to that….. π
Great post! My stepmom, who introduced me to Bikram a year and a half ago, is one of those strangely hard-wired people who crave exercise and hits the ground running at 5am, but I am not. However, I can totally relate to the feeling of the final savasana and how awesome I feel afterwards π Thanks for sharing!
I know a couple of those people- I really don’t know how they do it. But I’m so glad they introduce the rest of us to fun things like Bikram! Thanks so much for reading! Namaste.
Thanks for another great post. I can certainly relate to this! A regular practice makes me feel so good, but sometimes on cold, winter days it is too easy to stay on the couch instead.
Thank you!
What a great post! I too thought I was the only one who felt this way about “going” to class……..
Thanks so much!! (Honestly, I wondered a little before I posted if it was just ME!) But, nope – clearly it’s not just us!! π
You are so right! I’ve never jumped out of bed thinking “I can’t wait to get to yoga”…however, I mirror your thoughts on after class thinking.. so glad I went. I shared your blog with my sister today, who is now trying to “motivate” herself to go. Thank you for such inspiring posts.
Laura
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I hope your sister found it helpful, too! I really appreciate you sharing the post. Namaste.
I totally feel the same way. But I tell myself that I NEED to go, but if I am truly sick or if my back pain is especially debilitating that day, I can be easy on myself.
That’s an important difference – if there is truly a reason to not go, of course you need to listen to your body. But for me, it’s about knowing when I just don’t “feel like it” that I will be so glad that I motivated myself to go!