Gradually my morning yoga has made it’s way back into my life. No inversions, but nice gentle poses and a short period of meditation. Not every morning, but most.

With the return to the mat has come a realisation – it isn’t the yoga poses themselves that I love, it’s slow and focused movement. Quiet time spent linking body and breath in a deliberate way. Conscious embodiment. This has freed me from the need to follow a set routine, or incorporate something typically seen as yoga into my routine each day.

Instead, my focus is on celebrating movement every day, one way or another.

This might mean:

• An evening walk.
• A brisk morning cycle (in the gym, until I get a bike again, which one day I will!)
• Stretching before bed.
• Strolling on my lunch break.
• Pilates. Yoga.
• Getting on the trampoline with my little brothers.

At this point in my life I need a routine that is simple but effective. Something that doesn’t seem too daunting on bad days, that can still be fitted in on busy days. Now, when I don’t feel like/want to do yoga but I can get out for a walk, then that suffices. I can still breathe deeply, and my walk can still be an opportunity to practice staying present. Instead of devising a set practice, each day I mix it up and do what feels right. My focus is on movement – movement with purpose, with awareness; movement to be celebrated.

It feels good to get back on my yoga mat in the mornings, but it feels even better not beating myself up on days when I don’t.

How do you like to get moving? Can you relax your approach a little?

This week posting here just didn’t happen. Life got busy, I started 3 different posts but didn’t finish any of them.

I’m also questioning the value of my Sunday round up posts. Do you actually read them and enjoy them? I bookmark lots of links during a week, and I enjoy sharing them… Hmm, this one will hang in the balance for a while.

For this week & weekend, I’m going to share four inspirational videos that I really enjoyed. I did this a while ago too, so you can check out more here.

First up, the lovely Tanya Geisler on Owning Your Authority. Love it!

I have just started reading Lissa Rankin’s excellent new book, Mind Over Medicine, and this talk from late last year was also inspirational:

Check out this short film set to David Foster-Wallace’s speech to a graduating class. Sobering perhaps, but still beautiful.

Finally, check out this Milky Way Timelapse. Goodness that’s gorgeous. Wondrous. Awe-inspiring

“Reality provides us with facts so romantic that imagination itself could add nothing to them.” ~ Jules Verne

Have a lovely weekend. x

Wow, I was blown away this week by your responses to my last post. Thank you, I think this is a topic worth discussing! There will be more on this in the coming months here I’m sure.

How has your week been?

My weekend has floated by with delicious biscuits, fun with friends and late lunching. Fabulous.

Here are a few bits and pieces I’ve enjoyed reading this week, mainly yoga focused!

First up, Harvard Business review had an interesting piece titled ‘How You Will Measure Your Life’.

New online mag, Nautilus, featured ‘Where Uniqueness Lies’ and Matthew Remski wrote this interesting article over on Yoga for Smart People.

Speaking of Remski, Danielle of Body Divine Yoga wrote a good, detailed review of his new book on the sutras.

Yoga Dork told us that the next Grand Theft Auto game will feature a yoga mini-game, can’t wait to see that!

I stumbled across this on Slate, all about Franz Kafka’s calisthenics routine called the Muller System. Interesting!

25 Vegetarian recipes, and totally want to make this. Oh and this. Yum.

Finally, as I mentioned in my last post, I’m looking forward to Julian Walker’s ebook. I certainly enjoyed this excerpt over on Elephant Journal.

That’s all folks, anything you’d like to share please leave a link in the comments

xx

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” ~ Buddha

There’s something I need to get off my chest.

As much as I love yoga and meditation I just can’t get behind the concepts of the energetic subtle body and chakras. At least, I can’t wrap my head these things as real phenomena that actually effect me. Not metaphors, not concepts at the early stage of investigation, but accepted as truth; excused and heralded as being above the need for scientific scrutiny.

Does that piss you off? Change your opinion of me? Make me a bad yogi?

My fear of being seen as a bitch, judgemental and closed-minded has held me back from openly discussing my skepticism for years. I’ve reached a point though, after nearly a decade of yoga practice, where I feel it is a lie by omission NOT to state that I can’t stomach some of the woo woo new age stuff that is seen as part & parcel of the yoga scene.

I first tried yoga after a severe back injury left me unable to sit down, and a severe eating disorder was ravaging my body and mind. I loved then, and love now, how yoga helps me connect my body, mind and breath – drawing me into the present and calm. Over the years, my practice has helped me still my mind long enough to realise some hard truths, and let go of hefty emotional baggage. It  has been an invaluable tool, a beautiful part of my life.

However, talk of the subtle body, the energetic system and the chakras as spinning colourful wheels of energy has always left me cold. In fact, it’s these supernatural phenomena, often presented as inexplicable and beyond scientific investigation (faith based, not fact based) that have held me back from committing myself wholeheartedly as a yogi. A gnawing scepticism in the pit of my stomach that wants answers to my questions, not wishy washy ‘just because’.

I’m not religious, for the same reason. Agnostic since my first day in Catholic school when I was told that I would go to hell if I didn’t believe in God (by a nun). Never atheist, because that term always implies (at least in my mind) a kind of arrogance and dogmatic belief of its own but agnostic – comfortable on the fence.

You might ask – well then, why not just agree that to each their own, and if it works for someone to align their chakras and believe in the law of attraction, so be it.

Well, sure, that has actually been my approach for years.

Thing is, when it comes to religion I’m totally fine with people saying that it’s a matter of faith. When it comes to ideas like the law of attraction, chakras, crystal healing, reiki and psychics, these are often presented to us as things that are to be accepted – not as a belief, but as fact. As if they are really provable and backed up by science. Which, they are not. No, really, they are not.

It’s something that makes me really uncomfortable. I actually find all of the above fascinating, and have read a lot about them. I think they are fantastic jumping off points for rigorous debate and investigation. Wouldn’t it be incredible if we could one day provide testable theories as to why reiki helps people?? (Above and beyond the placebo effect)

I’m not writing this to offend or criticise, and I don’t mean to judge. Though I suppose I am in a way. My bad, and my apologies if this pisses you off.  I’m just trying to be completely totally and utterly honest. That means coming clean – I’m a skeptic when it comes to all things supernatural and inexplicable. That doesn’t mean I’m not open to the possibility that they work, or that we will find out why some day.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this, I’ve already asked on Twitter. I’m asking for your honest opinions.

Earlier this year I confessed these thoughts to a far more experienced yogi than I. In an honest discussion I simply admitted that my brain can’t quite wrap itself around the idea that we have energy channels that are unseen and unable to be monitored. I was told (kindly) that the question I should be asking is (paraphrasing here). - why must everything be reduced to that which can be scientifically proved?

Is that the question I should be asking? Instead of asking for proof that Reiki works, should I instead be asking why I feel the need for evidence at all?

If that is indeed the case, is a belief that the chakras are real like a belief in God? Same for the belief that the Universe has a purpose and each of us a personal fate that we can shift with positive thought?

I love yoga, truly I do, but why do we need to explain the exquisite beauty of a regular practice  in supernatural terms? Why can’t it simply be a method of rediscovering yourself and feeling at one and peaceful with the world & cosmos?

I believe it can, or at least it certainly is for me. I feel truly connected to all that is at times through yoga. I have experienced  that same staggering feeling you can sometimes achieve by looking up at the stars, or out across a mountain range. I feel so amazingly at one with the universe – a being of the universe, a now-conscious collection of atoms that were once in the belly of a star. This mysterious wonder doesn’t need a supernatural element for it to be valid – no God, no energy that guides my life.

Life is brilliant in its reality – messy, chaotic, mind-bendingly complicated, largely unknown, wondrous and exciting.

I call this spirituality. My heart soars when I realise my small, humble place in the cosmos. Reading books like A Stroke of Insight, Wild, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Carl Sagan’s books and anything by Pema Chodron fills me with a sense of peace. I love the ideas of secular Buddhism, and I’m always fascinated by how human spirituality has evolved since ancient times. Equally fascinating is the question – where to from here?

Am I alone in the belief that the spiritual ideals and feelings of connection don’t need to be distinct and removed from scientific exploration and discovery?

“I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong.” ~ Richard P. Feynman

Earlier today I read a great article about Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Parts of our cosmos that are currently theoretical, without hard  evidence but full of possibility.

Could we see the ideas of the ancients in similar terms? Chakras and energy centres and chi – can we build on these ancient concepts with modern scientific knowledge and curiosity about the hows and whys?

People think that if you are a scientist you have to give up that joy of discovery, that passion, that sense of the great romance of life. I say that’s completely opposite of the truth.  ~ Ann Druyan

There are some people who have already tried to integrate these fascinating ancient ideas with the knowledge we have acquired using the scientific method. Julian Walker’s ideas on chakras as metaphors for mind/body processes are definitely worth a read I also love the NPR blog 13.7 Cosmos & Culture.

Hand wavy assertions that there are things that are beyond knowing, to be felt (by our brains) but not explained, just doesn’t do it for me. It leaves me with oh-so-many questions!!

Is there a greater supernatural force in the world that dictates what happens in my life? Does this energy flow through my body and govern how my cells work?

If so, do crystals and reiki and certain yoga poses somehow interfere with this great and mysterious energy?

Is this energy the same as God – another unknowable supernatural force?

If you believe in one, do you automatically have to believe in the other?

If your rational mind can’t take the leap of faith required for either of these then does that make you a bad yogi who might as well do pilates?

Oh blogosphere, help me out here!

I would love to debate this with people who are as fascinated by these topics as I am. None of my close friends are yogis, they haven’t experienced some of the exquisite loveliness a practice can bring. They also don’t know enough about chakras or the subtle body have this debate.

I’m honestly asking if any of you are willing to step forward and chat about this – whether you agree with my concerns, or disagree completely.

What appeals with energetic healing? What convinces you?

Do you believe, or are you  skeptical like me?

Is there room for science here, or will it always require a suspension of disbelief for the magic to work?

For a while now I’ve called my link posts “Something for the Weekend…” and I’ve posted them on a Friday. I’ve come to realise that Fridays are super busy for me, and Sunday night tends to be when I browse the blogs I read and gather inspiration for the week ahead. So, I’m trialling a new name and a new time slot – “Sunday Reading” on a Sunday evening!

This week has been good for me, I’m feeling positive and have been writing again, which is always a good sign We took a trip to the beach this weekend (pic above) and I spent this gorgeous Sunday brunching with a bestie, drinking cups of tea and visiting the one remaining swan in the park.

How has your week been? How are you feeling this Sunday evening?

I’d love to know.

Here are a few links to things I’ve enjoyed this week:

Loved the photos this post from Sprouted Kitchen. I was in Paris last year, and their pics just capture the mood beautifully!

Justine Musk hits the nail on the head again with 11 quick + dirty things you should know about writing

My sister has a crazy little blog now along with her awesome online portfolio. Be warned – eccentricity ahead!!

Chia seeds, a wonder food. Inspired by this, and totally going to make this.

Beautiful post on NPR blog 13.7, become a scientist when you’re out and about to live in the present and practise awareness. Love it.

A longer piece from Aeon about tracking your personal stats. Interesting.

For anyone feeling a little down, 21 Tips to Keep Your Shit Together When You’re Depressed. Honest, helpful, worth bookmarking!

Finally, 10 Rules for Brilliant Women – not sure how I missed this from the fabulous Tara Mohr!

“Bloom where you are planted…” ~ Rhonda Hetzl

I remember reading this quote on Gaby’s beautiful blog last year, and I was struck by how much her post resonated with me. Since then, this quote has stayed with me, a little reminder in the back of my mind.

My husband and like to take day trips out of town – sometimes north, mainly south – and we dream about living beside the sea in a cottage with a view.

When life gets busy and overwhelm creeps back, it’s easy to get lost in future fantasies of a fairy tale time with no anxiety and no financial worries. We would spend our days working on passion projects and digging up fresh veggies from the garden. Bliss, basically. In fact, this day dreaming even extends to actual property hunting at times, along with browsing beautiful interiors blogs and researching for a future garden.

I realised recently that I have spent far too much time building this idea in my head, and neglecting the simple truth about life right now. Life, right now, is pretty fucking awesome really.

We live in a beautiful apartment, in a gorgeous city, work in jobs we are passionate about and have a truly lovely circle of family and friends. We travel, cook, swim at the beach and spend quality time together. While I know one day I’d like to live by the ocean and write a novel or two, constructing this dream life in my head is not actually helpful.

You see, there’s a darker side to this idyllic dreaming. An insecure, self-doubting feeling that this perfect life will only be available to me when everything falls into place. Once I’ve completed yet another course, mastered handstand again, have my tummy toubles and stress levels totally under control at all times, can write a beautiful article and am dedicated enough to write every day.

If, when, but, after – self-constructed barriers between me and my awesome future life.

Hmm. On closer consideration, this is bull shit. Those barriers? They come down to one word – fear.

Fear of not being good enough, smart enough, happy enough, calm enough. Life by the sea has come to represent an ideal of perfect health, success and satisfaction.

There’s no such thing as perfect health 100% of the time. Success depends on how you define it and satisfaction comes when you give yourself what you need to feel happy and whole. 

The truth of the matter is, there will never be a right time to step into my fantasy. There’s no perfect combination of pills, teachings, exercise and writing rituals that will catapult me into being ready. I need to stop being afraid of failing and start right now.

I want to write – so I must write. I want to create a life where I work for myself and I would like to live by the sea – time to start putting the pieces of that puzzle together.

In short – we must learn to bloom where we are planted. To start where we are right now, embrace ourselves in the present for all our flaws and foibles and work from there.

My intention is to shift from dreaming to appreciating, from doubting to doing.

For me this means:

• Cooking a delicious meal and enjoying a glass of wine tonight.
• Enjoying a few moments of meditation, even if there’s no yoga-asana yet.
• Writing on a more regular basis, even if I don’t publish it here. Practise is important.
• Taking stock each day for all that I have and how far I’ve come already.
• Spending more time having fun, and less time stressing over the little things.

How about you – how can you bloom where you are right now?

What are you grateful for in your life? What barriers have you put up mentally between where you are now, and your picture-perfect life?

Let’s stop dreaming and start appreciating.

Life is now, and now is pretty bloody brilliant actually.

What a week!

Firstly, heart felt thanks to everyone who dropped me a line after my last post. I had emails, tweets, SMS and lovely comments – none of which I expected, though all were appreciated.

The good news is, I’m feeling better. Not marvellous and perfect and jumping for joy, but steady and well-rested and ready to start moving and socialising again. It turns out a week with lots of sleep, good books and chamomile tea can do wonders

No long post today, I just wanted to share a few links that I have been saving up for you guys.

First up, 101 ways to motivate yourself from Sarah of Silly Grrl.

Crocheted Sushi anyone? (via Stephanie)

I enjoyed Carol’s take on ‘new age flakiness’. Also got into a discussion about agnosticism and atheism here.

From the minimalist blogs I love, Courtney set a mini-mission to banish doubt, and Josh discuss the productivity that comes with doing less.

Finally, have you met the Mantis Shrimp yet? Love The Oatmeal.

That’s it from me. It’s raining in Sydney today, so I’m going to bake some cookies, read a little more, then go out for a simple dinner with friends. Perfect.

How about you? How has your week been?

xx

It has been a while! A whole month in fact. This post has taken me so bloody long to write. There have been a good few drafts scrawled out and thrown in the bin – old school frustration.

I must admit, I considered lying about why I haven’t been blogging. Pretending that life has just been one big whirlwind of fun since I last wrote. I even toyed with ignoring the gap between posts and pushing straight on with a piece on yoga for full time workers. Either of these posts would have sufficed, but they would have been lies of a sort.

The bare, honest and ugly truth is – I’m not doing so great.

[If you came here for yoga advice, and don’t fancy reading personal life-stress stuff, please see the archives and pop back another time.]

It started back in February. I found a lump in my boob. I wasn’t even that scared, as I was told that this is fairly common (check yourselves regularly ladies!). However, on the second day of my brand new awesome job, I got a call from my Dr – the first biopsy hadn’t ruled out nasty possibilities. The second biopsy was much yuckier, and the week between biopsies, plus the 5 days I had to wait for results was awfully stressful. Thankfully, and I really am truly thankful, my boobs are fine. No nasty C word to deal with at this stage, just a lumpy lump. Phew.

Frustratingly, around the same time, my chronic acid reflux (yeah, ew is right – this is not the sort of shit people normally blog about) kicked it up a notch. It got BAD. Like, I’ve woken up with a sore throat every morning since February even though I’m on all the drugs they can give me kinda bad. In pain, all day, most days. I have a hiatus hernia, but have managed it successfully for three years. Last month the drugs just seemed to stop working.

Enough? Apparently not. Family shit went down, and the stress went up. And up.

In the meantime, with all the stress and the heartburn and the anxiety, my yoga practice dropped off entirely. I added guilt to my list of shitty feelings to stress about.

Eventually, last Sunday, I had a terrible panic attack. I became a quivering, fists clenched, hyperventilating wreck for the first time in ages.

I’ve been really unsure about posting about this. Anxiety and panic attacks aren’t glamorous, they aren’t the sort of things people write about very often. In fact, I’d wager that many people who suffer with this don’t talk about it at all. Not with their friends, or colleagues, and certainly not online. Anyone who has suffered an anxiety attack before, can understand why. They are scary, messy and hard to explain. They make you feel like you’re seriously losing your mind, and dying, all at once. It feels like I’m admitting something embarrassing, which I guess I am in a way – I’m not perfect, I have shit to deal with.

However, recently I’ve found solace online, reading accounts from a few brave people who have shared their experiences. Those who aren’t afraid to bare the raw, ruffled, sometimes unattractive parts of themselves. It was comforting to know I’m not alone.

As someone who writes a blog about how a simple yoga practice can help you stay balanced in life, I feel that I need to be honest. Moving, breathing and meditating daily can help with many things, but there is no silver bullet when things are complicated. No magic cure or instant fix-it for really shitty things.

Yoga can help, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. 

This has taken me a long time to admit to myself – yoga isn’t a perfect, magical cure. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t blogged for a while – I felt betrayed I guess. Betrayed by my body because asana practice isn’t really possible when reflux is as bad as mine. Betrayed by my mind because there are days when I’m way too anxious or down to sit and meditate, even for a couple of minutes. I also felt dishonest – how could I write about how amazing a daily practice is, when I hadn’t rolled out my mat in weeks?

The thing is, yoga is not an infallible panacea. It isn’t the only answer. Life and the human condition are way more complicated than that. Starting a new full time job, dealing with family dramas and medical issues all at once has been tough. Worth it (loving the job) but tough.

At my lowest points one question often comes up – when will the bad shit stop coming? When will I be able to have a period of time where no bad shit happens?

I think the honest answer has to be, there may not be a time when nothing bad happens. This is just life.

Right now, the reflux persists and I’m still not quite myself. Getting there, but that’s the honest truth. My mat remains rolled up lying against the wall.

So, where to from here? Am I going to give up the yoga and blogging and wallow in self-pity? No, no I’m not.

I’ve been reading. That’s my solace, that’s my practice when the shit hits the fan. I have read lots since I last posted, fabulous yoga classics and a couple of awesome new texts (details soon). Modification baby – I can’t asana, but I can read. Yoga might not be the magical cure all, but it continues to weave through my life buoying me up when things get rough. It’s a valuable part of my toolkit, along with the support of my friends and family, and medical help for medical problems.

At the end of the day, you can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.

I’ve been getting up before work and going for a walk. Making super tasty, healthy, low-acid foods. Enjoying long phone calls with friends and nights on the couch watching trashy shows.

I’m modifying my practice and working with where I’m at each day to use what I need to get through. Even if the honest answer on a Sunday is - I can’t practice at all today, I just need to watch TV and go for a walk. Giving in to what your body and mind really need doesn’t mean giving up, at least not giving up for good.

Which brings me back to blogging, and my guilt about not posting. I have so many plans for this space – I want to share videos of what has worked for me, books on establishing a practice, and much much more – but for now I need to give in to what my body and mind need. Whatever that may be. Time off yoga-asana, less pressure, more self-care. I still want to share the joy of yoga and simple living. Along with all the bad, these past few months have also held good – we have had such a massive clear out at home, and really honed our vision for the next couple of years. I’m just not ready, or able, to share this yet.

It’s time I focus on healing myself before I try to help others. I’m not going to hold myself to being totally 100% reflux, anxiety & depression free before I return – that’s unreasonable. However, I do need to practice a little more self-care for a while.

I’m giving in, but I’m not giving up. I’ll be back, with more details about how I have modified  by practice to get me through this rough patch, and what I’ve learnt from returning to full time work. I have also been saving links for weeks, things I think you’ll find interesting, and I’m planning to share these on Friday this week, so I do hope you’ll stop by.

Oh and the eBook? You know what, it’s actually finished and it has been for weeks. I didn’t feel I could publish it because I felt it was a lie when I wasn’t doing my yoga everyday. Now I’m going to hold off for a different reason – there’s more to add, a little more self-compassion to be worked into the mix.

If you’ve read this far then thank you. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, thanks for popping by. It truly means a lot.

Em xx

Spring and autumn are my favourite seasons – transitional, beautiful, crisp. The morning air reflects a slight cool change, but I love that – brisk, cardigan weather. Perfect.

This week’s word has to be flowers.

These gorgeous flowers have surrounded me at work all week and they are delightful. The striped roses are a particular fave. Sunflowers are also a sure fire win. It was my boss’s birthday on Monday, but the whole team benefited from these colourful presents.

How has your week been? Could you sum it up in a word? 

As for yoga, this week my practice has been slow but savoured. I’m so grateful for the time off, it has made me even more appreciative for the moments I have on my mat.

I have had a super social few days – dinner with friends on three nights and music & dinner with Karl on another. The music was lovely (listen to this lovely lady’s stunning voice) and the venue was a crazy cool (I felt way too hip) old warehouse decorated with candles and tea provided. This weekend I’m looking forward to some down time – reading, writing, relaxing.

A month has passed (!) and I am still loving my new job, but yet to settle into a routine that works for me. I so want to write more, and teach more, and spend more time doing yoga.

There’s plenty of time for all of these things really – it’s simply a matter of scheduling and prioritising. That’s one thing that I’m hoping to achieve this weekend – I want to sit down, write out a plan for the week ahead and stick to it. Yup.

As always, here are some links for your reading pleasure:

First up, as I’ve mentioned before we’ve been on a decluttering spree. There are a few things left to sell on ebay (auctions end tomorrow) but I’ve really enjoyed taking it slow. Cutting down, inch by inch.

Speaking of minimalism, one day I dream of pulling together a capsule wardrobe for myself – the simplicity is so appealing.

Read books to feel happier. Also – a reminder that we’ll never be able to read all the books we want to read.

Great read about neuroscience, popular science and the complexity of the human brain.

I’m really enjoying Kimberly’s posts about her new routine & life refresh over on Dream Delight Inspire. Hope to try something similar myself soon!

Speaking of, this post on self-care was lovely, found via the always awesome Rowdy Kittens.

Lastly, I’ve been thinking about blogging and plans a lot recently. I loved this post by Shauna of Nubby Twiglet. Shauna reflects on the one things she wishes she’d known about blogging. She writes:

Remember, there is no shortcut. Do what you do because you love it but also have a goal. Eventually, you will get to where you’re trying to go and it doesn’t matter if someone else gets there first. All that matters is that you get there on your own terms.

So so true, applies to blogging and to life.

Right, I’m off to enjoy the sunshine on this beautiful Saturday afternoon!

What do you have planned? How has your week been? 

Thanks for stopping by xo

Healthy habits take time to develop. A daily yoga practice is built slowly but surely – one day at a time. Unfortunately,  it’s fairly easy to let our good habits drop off for a couple of days – and even easier to let that turn into a week or a month. The trick is to take a deep breath and start again. Persistence and consistency pay off – whether you are trying to eat healthier food, or benefit from a yoga practice.

As you know, I’ve had a little time off blogging. Just a couple of weeks, but it was necessary. In fact, if I’m honest, I had a couple of weeks off yoga too. For the first time in well over a year I let my daily practice go. Why? Quite simply, I didn’t feel like it. Not the – I’m too lazy, just can’t be bothered – kind of feeling. More the, I really just don’t want to today.

Eventually, as I knew I would, I longed to unfurl my mat and get moving again. After more than two weeks without my practice though, I started to encounter different resistance – laziness  (ugh, even 7 minutes seems like so much effort!) doubt (maybe this yoga stuff is rubbish really) and procrastination (nope, not today after all).

How did I overcome this and get back onto the mat?

Just sit. I coaxed myself onto the mat by promising myself that if all I felt like doing was sitting and breathing, then that’s all I would do. No pressure, no grasping for a perfect tree pose, just allowing my body whatever it needs each day.

Short but sweet. Here on Happy Tree Pose I advocate practising for at least 7 minutes every day. Inspired by Mark Whitwell, this does seem to be a sweet spot – not too long, but not too short. However, after a little time away there’s nothing wrong with taking it back a few minutes as you get started. Sometimes I don’t set my timer, I simply take Downward Dog and a few stretches & twists before sitting for a couple of minutes of meditation. Keep it simple, keep it doable.

One day at a time. Just because you practice today, doesn’t mean you need to tell yourself – this is the beginning of a life of doing this every single day without fail. That said, some people love that sort of structure and commitment, I just find it a little intimidating and it can put my off starting at all. Instead, I promise myself I’ll give it a go today, then see how I feel tomorrow.

Seek inspiration. If you are tired of your routine, mix things up a little. Drop into a new studio class, google for some inspirational videos or hire a yoga DVD. Just adding a new pose every now and then or changing your sequencing a little can be all you need to refresh your practice.

Above all, be kind to yourself. Over time you’ll get to know yourself well enough to sense when you actually need a break, as opposed to when you are being a little bit lazy. Roll out your mat, breathe and move for a few minutes, then put it away and move on. When you make it less of a big deal, the daily practice seems far less intimidating and more achievable.

As for me, I’m gradually getting back into the swing of things. I picked up the practice again, have missed one or two days since but am not going to let that phase me. If I don’t feel like doing a big sequence I don’t do one. Simple breathing and a few minutes of meditation can be enough some days. I still love yoga, and taking a short break actually allowed me to maintain my motivation –  the daily practice is a pleasure not a chore.

How do you maintain your healthy habits? Do you have anything else you’d recommend?