5 Obstacles to Developing a Yoga Practice

Wellbeing promises ‘transformation’. But it can feel like anything but transformation at times. Blocks inevitably arise, often resulting in the pausing or even stopping of the practice altogether. To this extent, before you start doing something brand new (like learning yoga for example), it is important to acknowledge some of the obstacles or barriers you are likely to encounter along the way.

1. Resistance?

'Resistance' is the phenomenon of a person seeking to make changes in their life but acting as if they don't want to change at all.?? This is entirely natural and a part of your psychological makeup. It works to maintain a barrier between your conscious awareness and unconscious process and memories. ??When things become difficult or onerous, people resist that and pay attention to the present moment. It is much easier to fall back into old ways once the going gets tough.??

When developing a yoga practice, it will feel like so much effort. When this happens, you just need to be mindful of these feelings arising and push through it. These things are usually temporary and will respond quickly to pushing ahead and getting on with your practice.?

If the resistance is persistent, you may want to stop and ask yourself:

'why is this repeatedly occurring?'

Pay attention and acknowledge its presence. It may require some further investigation or even self-realisation.?

2. Laziness?

Linked to ‘resistance’, we tend to adopt an attitude of 'I can’t be bothered' or whatever other excuse the mind presents. You may be feeling tired, would rather stay in, watch tv and eat pizza, or just don’t feel like practising. Whilst these feelings are normal, when they arise, ask yourself if are you just being lazy or if is there a genuine reason for refraining from practising.

Again, bringing this into your conscious awareness will help you make the best decision about whether to practise at that moment or not.?

3. Injuries?

Injuries are part of life and they happen to all of us at some point. Whilst having an injury may seem like a sufficient reason not to practice, in most cases a yoga practice can be done with the appropriate modifications or avoiding doing some poses so as to not risk aggravating injury. You can choose to let your teacher know about the injury and he or she can advise on what’s the best way to practice whilst injured.?

If the injury is significant and requires medical attention, then consulting with your GP or specialist is advisable.?

4. ‘Plateauing’?

There will come a point in your yoga practice when you don’t feel like you are making any progress. There tends to be significant progress in the early stages and then you may feel like you aren’t making any progress at all. This is normal.

Some postures are harder than others. For some postures, it will be impossible for your body to do them. When this happens, know that the secret to practising yoga isn’t about being able to do all the postures, it’s about becoming more intimate with your practice. It’s learning to appreciate what it feels like to be still. To appreciate the space around you.

So ‘plateauing’ is just a state of mind. The actual journey of yoga is never-ending.?

5. ‘Don’t have time to do yoga’?

For finance professionals, you will hear this all the time. This is usually because people are actually very busy with their jobs. The more responsive part of your brain will move into hyper-focus mode and there will be an urge or tendency to give up on or not attend to your wellbeing. You will make up an excuse. Again this is natural. However, there is something you can do in these circumstances.?

First, know that you will do your best work when you are more relaxed and have a clear mind. Yoga can help with that. You may even become more creative.?

Secondly, when it does arise, even if you are really busy and have pressing deadlines or other commitments, you can still do something. For example, you can do a micro-practice, which takes around a minute or so. Keeping up your progress, even in challenging times is the key to maintaining a healthy yoga practice; and the less you stop to take a break, the more likely you are to continue.?

Thirdly, make the time. Get up earlier, be more focused. Spend less time scrolling on social media and looking at your phone. Prioritise your wellbeing and your body will thank you for it, and you will perform better at work too.?

There’s a famous zen saying that says:?

‘if you are too busy to meditate for 20 minutes, meditate for an hour’.??

Scott Robinson is the Yoga Coach for Finance Professionals. He has helped hundreds of finance professionals feel better in their bodies and minds through yoga, mindfulness & meditation. If you would like to start your yoga or mindfulness journey, feel free to book a 20-minute complimentary session with Scott, or email at [email protected]

You can find out more about Scott's work at Yogibanker.