I’ve been having a conversation with myself about the word and the idea of discipline lately. Mostly because I hadn’t been particularly consistent in my own yoga practice until recently when I began a training program to become an Ayurvedic Health Counselor. The first 4 months of the training are an intense personal immersion in the practices of Ayurveda. You are literally your own teacher. For me that means shifting my eating, drinking, moving, doing and sleeping patterns in new ways. I tend to respond well to structure and have been inspired by this opportunity to learn and focus my energy.
That’s why the word discipline came up.
I was doing my asana and pranayama practice (poses and breathwork) the other morning and noticing how much better I feel physically and mentally and how much less I doubt myself when I’m being “disciplined” about doing my practice. But that word has a connotation of rigidity that makes me uncomfortable. I think of punishment. I think of perfectionism which I’ve shared previously that I’m in lifelong recovery from. I don’t want to beat myself up to be the perfect yogi. Been there. Done that. And I have a herniated disc and cranky shoulders to remind me that’s not the way.
In the ancient texts of yoga though, discipline is not a punishment but what actually frees us from suffering. It is an act of devotion—to Source, whatever that means for you and within you. It’s not a dictate or a strict set of rules but a devoted intention where you show up for yourself as yourself as you practice. You don’t just follow rules blindly. You integrate with the teachings so they manifest within you. There is, of course, a letting go, a faith—a willingness to embrace not knowing and trusting that this will lead you towards insight and enlightenment rather than a fix for what’s wrong with you.
Ironically when I am being more disciplined about my practice, I feel like I have more time to do what I want to do. I’m less easily distracted and I spend less time worrying about things. I feel more at ease. I actually show up for myself and my loved ones and my colleagues in the rest of my life.
I’m really looking forward to the next 4 months and devoting myself more fully again to these incredible ancient and wise teachings. I’m so grateful to have several coaches and teachers along the way to help me build stronger habits and find even more wellbeing and joy. Yoga and Ayurveda are really practices for building resilience to hold steady in all of the storms of life and we build resilience in community with support and reciprocity.
That’s my favorite part of being a Vermont Reiki and yoga teacher and why I love working one to one with people. I can be a guide and mentor to help you find your innate wisdom and devotion—or call it discipline if that suits you best. I would be honored to support you and am happy to talk more about what that could look like for you. Feel free to set up a phone call so we can connect: Schedule Appointment with Yoga Grace (as.me). I teach at my Vermont Yoga studio and I also have online classes.
Subham Astu (I wish you many good things)
