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If You’re Feeling Resistance In Your Yoga Practice, Try These Two Things…

two ways to work through resistance in your yoga practice from the yogi movement by monica dawn stone

August 3, 2015 By Monica Stone Leave a Comment

One of the hardest things about being an at home yoga practitioner is being completely -> 100% <- accountable for your practice.
 
I’m guilty of it too. I’ve been known to skip postures, be lazy in my practice, or just stop early.
 
It’s so lame. If I’m in a yoga studio doing my practice there is no way my teacher would let me get away with that. If I’m not feeling pain or on a strict time schedule, there’s no reason I should be so lazy in my practice.
 
I know I’d call my students out on it too! 
 
The point is to observe and work through the resistance. If we ignore it and let it control us, then think of all of the other areas that we hold ourselves back in life?
 
This is why we practice, right? If anything, our practice is the first place we need to make the change. When we realize it, and break the habit, we can start to make improvements off of the mat.  
 
So, the question is… how do we get through this resistance? How do we not let it control us?
 
If you’re feeling resistance in your yoga practice, try these two things..
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There’s two things you can do to get you through these uncomfortable moments in your practice. Here’s what’s been working for me. 
 

1. It’s only 5 breaths: 

When I feel the resistance coming on, I remind myself that it’s only 5 breaths. We just have to hold each posture for a steady 5 breaths. Then we move onto the next.
 
Once I tell myself that, the posture seems less intimidating. Then, it’s done and I ask myself “Why were those five breaths so scary??”
 
You can do five breaths. I know you can. 
 

2. If I did it before, I can do it now:  

This is something I constantly remind myself in Surya Namaskara. I was taught to start with a total of 10 Sun Salutations. I know that some teachers do different combinations, and that’s totally cool.
 
I’m a big believer in teaching and practicing how I was taught, so I do ten.
 
Sometimes I just want to do 8 though, and I have to remind myself that I did 10 Sun Salutations every single day for years. What good reason do I have to cut it back?
 
If I’m not injured or exhausted, doing less would just be lazy. 
 

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If your feeling resistance in your yoga practice, try these two things from monica dawn stone at the yogi movement
 
So what do you think? Think you can do this with me? 
 
If I can, you can too! You totally got this!
 
So, what’s your trick? Tell me in the comments!
 
To Open Hearts & Happy Thoughts,
love monica

Filed Under: Instruction Tagged With: Accountability, Motivation

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« Why I don’t teach yoga for this pain or that pain
Paschimottanasana: It’s All About Surrender »

Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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