What’s Your Yoga Mojo?
Earlier today, I came across a post on The Yoga Flavored Life which asked the question: When Did You 
Decide to Begin Your Yoga Practice – And Why?
The post’s author, Teresa, talked about repeatedly starting a yoga program only to peter out a short time later. The problem was mindset. Teresa’s enthusiasm and satisfaction with the results of her practice quickly faded once life’s distractions became overwhelming. Despite many attempts to maintain a regimen, she’s still trapped in a start-stop cycle.
Such is the case with so many of us.
My yoga journey began nearly 12 years ago, following the birth of my oldest child. Morning sickness that lasted for the first 5 months kept me from the gym; lack of exercise exacerbated my anxiety about becoming a mom and what it would do to my career. Selfish? Absolutely, and I’ve come a long way since. But at the time, all that lay ahead was unknown and scary. My obstetrician put me on anti-depressants 8 months into my pregnancy.
After my son was born, my Mom lent me her VHS box set of Yoga Journal’s “Yoga Practice Series.” I became hooked immediately. Mastering the poses helped me to re-tone my body, quiet my mind and regain confidence. To say it was life-changing is not an exaggeration.
I continued to practice yoga through the birth of my son’s little sister, ups-and-downs in my marriage, and saying goodbye to a long-time position at a place I loved to start my own business. Through it all, yoga helped maintain my sanity.
But my practice has not always been so steady. Sometimes I go weeks without it. During those long stretches, I begin to unintentionally frighten small animals and young children. (Yes, that’s a lame attempt at humor!)
That’s usually when I hear my mat beckoning.
What’s your yoga motivation?
