Confronting Resistance…

Congratulations! You’ve taken a big ole giant step - a LEAP towards a more peaceful, fulfilling and energized life.

Daily yoga practice will set your body and mind free. The positive effects will be immediate and profound. Bet you’re noticing some already.

Of course…there is the hurdle of the DAILY part of the practice. It’s certainly not easy to even find the time for practice some days. Plus, there are so many excellent excuses to miss a day. My personal favorite is so lame as to be ridiculous. “I don’t feel like it”.

It’s amazing how well this childish reasoning has worked to keep me from my practice over the years. Happily, I’ve spoken with several of you and you seem to be far more mature. You simply refuse to listen to any voice that would lead you off your path these 30 days.

I can take a page from your book. But let’s say that somewhere along this exciting journey that voice of resistance does pop up with something like, “I’m too sore” or “I just can’t find the time today” or whatever your personal little voice of resistance says that seduces you into taking it seriously.

How does one respond to the little voice who can’t? In my long and checkered yoga practice, I am finding that the answer to that falsely charming voice is….YES! Yes! I hear you and Yes! I’m practicing anyway, because Yes! I can do this and Yes! I am committed to this challenge. If you can say the word Yes! while smiling, even better.

There is something about the actual word of Yes! that, just like a smile, instantly puts us in a positive space. Yes! I am now rolling out of the sinfully soft, warm bed and going to yoga. Good for me! Positive affirmation is always the anecdote to resistance, or negativity in any form. Practice extending this aspect of your yoga into your “real world”. “Yes! I can be kind to other drivers on the road.” “Yes! I am capable of being on time to work.” Etc. Etc. Etc. Say it with a smile!

-Lela Cloud