If you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you may have experienced times when your progress seems to come to a standstill. It's normal! You're not doing it wrong! But yeah, it can be frustrating. However, it's essential to understand that plateaus are a natural part of any journey towards growth and self-realization. So, what to do about that stuck feeling? How to break through?
You're Not Alone
At 17 years old I practiced yoga in studio about half the size of North Adams Yoga. There was nothing on the walls, no plants or pretty deities. The ceilings were low, with a few large windows that looked out on a parking lot, or maybe a dense shrub. Still I remember the feeling of the first warm evening when downward facing dog was challenging, my warm breath and sweaty skin felt difficult to manage, yet, alive.
My father died when I was 15. I numbed to life in a lot of ways for a while.
Those yoga classes in that tiny, unaesthetically pleasing studio put me back into my body, and I felt again. Every single pose was wonderful, even Revolved Triangle which was my nemesis (and still is). ((Maybe that's why so many of us make yoga our personality when we first discover it.)) I saw growth every time I repeated a pose, with every challenge my teachers presented to me. The wonder kept growing.
In 18 years of practice I have hit more than a few plateaus. Uninspired plateaus when I felt stuck. Perspective plateaus where I needed a new voice in my head. Information plateaus when I needed more knowledge. Ego plateaus when I needed to check my expectations. Painful and healing plateaus that were there for my own safety.
Understanding Plateaus
When you first start yoga, everything is new, and everything blows your mind and feels life-changing. In fact when you pursue a new physical exercise routine the first 6-8 weeks are neuro-muscular gains, meaning your body/mind are learning to tap into what is already there. Yoga is the same. The first short while you are finally aware of what's within you: strength, connection, peace. Then you think we have found all that was there.
Plateaus in yoga can occur for various reasons, such as physical limitations, mental blocks, or sticking to the same routine for too long. When your body and mind become accustomed to a certain level of practice, progress can halt. This is where the need for a new challenge arises to push past your current limitations and continue evolving in your yoga journey.
Try Embracing 'New'
You roll a ball forward and it stops at a wall. If you push the ball again in the same direction, it's just going to hit the wall again...or harder. Yet if you push it from the side it can travel around the wall or onto a new path altogether. By stepping out of your routine and trying something different, you may exercise different muscles, literally in the body, or the mind. You approach the problem from a different direction. Try a new class, a new time of day, a new variation of a pose, a new teacher. Try something totally different and see what shakes up.
Breaking the Monotony
Repeating the same sequences and poses day after day can lead to a sense of monotony that contributes to plateaus in your practice. To break through this stagnation, consider taking a break from what you're doing. The NEW ideas can do a lot to shift energy and patterns but it may not be enough to just add new. Sometimes you have to stop doing the 'old' for a break. When you return to your old habits after a break you may find a rejuvenated passion for your practice or refreshed muscles.
Cultivating Mindfulness and Awareness
Sometimes, the key to overcoming a plateau in yoga lies in introspection and self-awareness. Take the time to reflect on your practice and identify any areas where you may be holding yourself back. Are there limiting beliefs or negative thought patterns that are hindering your progress? By cultivating mindfulness and awareness, you can address these internal obstacles and create space for growth and transformation.
Seeking Guidance and Support
If you find yourself struggling to break through a plateau in your yoga practice, don’t be afraid to seek guidance and support. Consider working with a yoga teacher or mentor who can provide personalized feedback and help you navigate the challenges. Sometimes, an outside perspective can offer valuable insights, tips, and encouragement to help you move past your limitations. Teachers can help you to identify where the challenge is coming from and design plans to work through them.
But, Do You Have to Break Through?
Progress is not always linear, and breakthroughs may come in unexpected ways. Keep an open mind to understanding what you expected to be a vertical gain may be a longer (and enjoyable) walk forward before the next climb. Plateaus aren't a backward slide, they are sustaining where you are. So, would it be okay to just enjoy it for a bit? Consider what's calling you to do more or push forward. Could a plateau be a welcome rest? Only you will know if you really want to do/know/go more right now.
It's Okay
Remember that patience, persistence, and an open mind are key to breaking through obstacles. Sometimes there's a quick adjustment, but sometimes it can be a long and deeper shift (maybe a lifetime?).
Hitting a plateau in your yoga practice can be a frustrating experience, but it is also a sign of growth and transformation. Plateaus aren't bad; see them as opportunities to explore to new depths in your practice.
Wishing you a practice full of wonder.
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