We all have scars. It’s part of living on this earth. Hardships, trauma, the weight of grief affects us mentally and physically, often leading us into a rut that’s hard to climb out of. When those scars inform our daily lives, driving a series of bad habits and tendencies, how do we break that pattern?
The word samskara comes from the Sanskrit sam (joined together) and kara (action, cause, or doing). This roughly translates to imprints or patterns that have been left by events in our lives. Samskaras can show up and inhibit us from growth. When we set out to change our samskaras, these habitual patternings can be altered. Cultivating a dynamic, consistent daily practice is an easy way to challenge our samskaras and make room for renewal.
Benefits of a Daily Practice:
- Forming a healthy habit of checking in with your mind and body
- Achieving a goal of deepening ability to arrive at peak postures that require patience, strength and perseverance
- A built-in schedule to meditate and give time to yourself
- Increased awareness to your needs, mentally and physically
But how do you start a consistent daily practice?
Consistency
In our increasingly busy lives, it’s often difficult to find the time for a daily practice, but consistency instead of longevity is key. Committing to at least 5 minutes a day can start the cultivation of this habit, and allowing for more or less time depending on shifting schedules makes it more likely to keep up with your daily commitment. As with any new routine, seek out an accountability partner: a coach, a friend, a colleague. Check in daily with each other to ensure you practiced that day, or practice together. Once you start to see the benefits, it will be easier to continue practicing daily.
Start Out Easy
Completing a loop of sun salutations is a great way to start your daily practice instead of trying to emulate the last class you attended. If this still seems daunting, string together certain postures that your body wants and needs, paying less attention to forming a well-thought out class. After warming up, play with peak postures practiced in your last class, perhaps some you were too afraid to try in a studio setting.
Pair Your Practice With Another Habit
Think about daily rituals you already have. What are some that you consistently do? Marry your yoga practice with these rituals. While you’re waiting for your morning coffee to brew. Instead of scrolling through texts, emails, or social media. While you’re waiting for your carpool ride or ride share. While the pasta boils. When you need a work break. On commercial breaks of your favorite show. Our practice does not need to be in a perfectly curated yoga studio. In fact, practicing yoga in all parts of our life has the ability to radiate through our day in ways not able to be reached in a studio.
It can be easy to think that healing involves forgetting. The opposite is true. In order to grow through the scar tissue, one has to commit to facing it head on. When we bravely set out to owning our samskaras, our collective pain, we begin to create a new life, one that nurtures us and provides a foundation to build upon. Although this takes a multitude of self-determination and consistency, a daily yoga practice can allow us to move into the spaces we were always meant for.
Author: Sarah Ronau