Recently I was taking a class in LA and I watched the most focused yogi ever:
This yogi was sitting in padmasana against a wall
waiting for class to begin.
A few feet away from this yogi, is a very Famous and Attractive
Actress (F.A.A.) trying to get his attention.
Not only does he NOT EVEN LOOK
at F.A.A.,… He doesn’t even appear
to physically HEAR F.A.A.
He’s so immersed in the moment… Focused
on his breath… That not even one of the
worlds most beautiful women can distract him.
Watching this got me thinking…
It never takes longer than 60 seconds
to tell the difference between a Dedicated Yogi (D.Y.)
and a fly by night yogi (F.B.N.)
And having taught thousands of students and trained hundreds of teachers,
I’ve noticed a few sure fire giveaways between the
students who get it – and the students who
fall off the mat entirely.
Here’s 5:
#1:
A F.B.N. Yogi will complain that she doesn’t have
a studio or the props to train.
A Dedicated Yogi will find a place to practice at all costs… Even when it means
practicing with chaos around you –
Or using no equipment except your body and your breath.
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“I had my first baby and I tried to go to a yoga class, but my baby was too young to attend childcare at the studio. I don’t have any yoga props at home, but I turned the phone off and put in your Busy Mom Yoga DVD with my newborn nearby. Still the best Yoga practice I’ve ever done, even now that my newborn is a toddler!!!”
Jennifer Davidson
Dedicated Yogi and Peaceful Mom
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#2:
F.B.N. Yogi’s will complain they need to be in a hot room, not to be in a hot room, have music playing, not have music playing, have a teacher, have only a particular teacher.
A Dedicated Yogi will not make excuses of why they can’t practice, no matter
what the reason is. They will be okay with life’s ebbs and flow. They will accept life’s ups and downs and do their practice anyway.
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“I started practicing with you back at the beginning of January. As I followed you from Hot Yoga studios, to College Yoga Classes to Ashtanga Classes at a Sports Resort I learned to maintain the ritual and cultivation of a regular practice without the attachment to one environment. I’ve learned to work towards my goals but view my practice everyday with new eyes.
– Justine Lu
Yogi cultivating a regular practice
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#3:
F.B.N. Yogi’s will blame their injuries on yoga poses.
…And give up entirely. They’ll say that “chatarunga hurt their shoulder or
padmasana (lotus pose) hurt their knee”. They’ll demonize the pose instead of admitting…
It is you doing yoga postures wrong or pushing yourself into poses you are not ready for that is the problem.
A Dedicated Yogi will look at their injury, and say this:
“I need to let my ego go and modify my practice. I may not be able to do everything I use to, but I have a bigger picture I’m working towards and this set back is temporary”.
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“I have a group of friends that I started yoga with several years ago, now only a couple of us still have a regular yoga practice. The excuses were many, they wanted to try the latest exercise craze or they were to hyper for yoga or they kept getting injured. I’ve heard you say there is always someone out there with a disciplined yoga practice, transforming from the inside out when others are jumping from the latest exercise craze searching for something outside themselves, searching to change their physical shell. I am that person staying committed to my yoga practice through all the highs and lows of physical and mental discomfort.
The transformation for me continues to evolve physically, mentally and spiritually and I’ve never felt so grounded and content in my life.
Jesica Murphy
Yogi calming a monkey mind
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#4:
F.B.N. Yogi’s will claim they don’t have
enough TIME to get their practice in, read inspiring texts
daily, and stay on top of their responsibilities.
A Dedicated Yogi will say that she doesn’t have enough time either.
Then she’ll just get up earlier.
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“Since I’m in college and work on
the weekends, it’s tough to get my yoga practice in
– especially with exams almost every week.
So I wake up at 5:45 am to get on my mat
and although it’s tough, I persevere
because I can feel and see the difference.
It’s this discipline that has given me a
Powerful Body and a Peaceful Mind”
– Tracy McFarland
Dedicated Yogi
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And finally, #5:
F.B.N. Yogi’s will push themselves for a couple months,
and say that it’s “too hard.”
Dedicated Yogi’s will challenge themselves but will
work at a rate that’s safe and say it’s challenging.
And then continue to practice & modify as needed
until the practice becomes easy.
Dedicated Yogis will get results like this:
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“Stacy I struggled with my stomach for years after having four children. Your teaching physically changed my body. My stomach is finally flat and strong, my back is muscular, and overall my body is firm and toned. I have a greater awareness of my body, how I carry myself, and my posture outside of yoga. And I’m more present with my children and loving to my husband.”
– Patti Lorne
Dedicated Yogi, Wife and Mom
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Now it’s up to you to decide which results
YOU want.
Fly By Night Yogi…
Or Dedicated Yogi.
The choice is yours.
Stacy