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Yoga revitalizes us, it makes us feel good and it transforms us into happier, healthier versions of ourselves. That being said, every now and again the doubt starts to creep in. We find ourselves skipping a class here and there and feeling too tired/sore/lazy/busy/insert excuse here. Sometimes days without practice can turn into weeks and it becomes that much harder to go back into the studio.

Not to fear. After practicing Ashtanga yoga for just under a year I have come to realize that falling on and off the wagon is all part of the journey. It could just be time to spice things up or seek inspiration and here are a few ways I have found out how to do just that.

1. Try a different teacher

I’ve personally found that the teacher can make or break your devotion to the practice, especially when you’re starting out. The teacher is our avenue to all the gifts of yoga. They give us guidance, support and inspiration and are the reason we keep coming back to class day after day.

While I believe in giving the teacher-student relationship time to flourish, if you’re finding it hard to make a connection with your teacher then it could be time to make a change. Simple things such as how a teacher delivers instructions or whether they are forceful or gentle in their adjustments can change your perspective entirely.

Yoga is one of most intimate experiences you can share with somebody, not only in the physical sense but also in the mental and emotional journey that you will share with your teacher along the way. It’s important to find the right partner for the road ahead.

2. Talk to fellow yogis

It’s no secret that yoga is a great way to meet people and build relationships with like-minded people. What might not be as widely known is that this is the most open-minded and compassionate support group you could ever hope for. These are the people who are going to understand what you’re going through when you’re finding it hard to roll out your mat.

I recently went through a bit of a hard time due to incorporating a deeper backbending sequence into my daily practice that was bringing up a lot of emotional baggage. It wasn’t until I started sharing what I was going through with my fellow practitioners that I realized that they also had similar experiences. They were more than happy to offer me advice and support that helped me to come back to my practice from a place of love.

3. Take a break

Yes they are going to be days when we have to force ourselves to get on the mat but let’s not forget how tiring this whole daily practice thing can get. When yoga becomes a chore, something we have to get out the way, then we know we have gone off the right path somewhere along the way.

Taking a few days off can make the world of difference if we do it mindfully and with purpose. This could be by truly appreciating the rest, perhaps taking the time to nurture the body by getting a massage or giving your digestive system a break with a juice cleanse.

More importantly, it is worth making a journal of observing how you feel without your practice. I recently did this and noted that I felt tired, sluggish and irritable when I didn’t get my daily dose of Ashtanga.  Sometimes we need to see what life is like without yoga to realize how much we need it.

4. Travel away from the norm

They say a change is as a good as a rest and breaking out of your usual practice routine can certainly inject some vibrancy and renewed love into your practice.

Yoga retreats and travelling to visit teachers around the world are a great way to reconnect with yourself and the practice as well as gain a wealth of knowledge, although admittedly slightly more cost and time-dependent. However this doesn’t have to mean your own ‘Eat Pray Love’ journey to India. It could be as simple as doing a weekend workshop with a different teacher in your area, making a trip to the local park with your mat or trying a new class with your friend.

We all have our own types of yoga that we are loyal to but a bit of experimentation never hurt anybody. You may be a hardcore Ashtangi but a dose of Yin yoga could just be the restorative practice you’ve been craving or a dedicated Hatha student might benefit from some more fast-paced Vinyasa Flow.

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