Practice On
Jan 23, 2025Life is full of fluctuations. Seasons change, our moods shift, and circumstances constantly ebb and flow. Yet, amidst all this impermanence, there is one thing we can anchor ourselves to: our practice. As yoga practitioners, we are often reminded that it is not the perfect conditions but our consistency that shapes the depth of our journey. Practice when it’s hard; practice when it’s easy. Practice when conditions are good; practice when they are bad. Practice when you feel light; practice when you feel like cement. Practice when it’s hot, and practice when it’s cold. Practice on.
Recently, the Ashtanga yoga community experienced a great loss with the passing of Sharath Jois. His presence inspired thousands, and his dedication to the lineage was unwavering. Losing a teacher of his caliber can feel like losing a compass. But if there is one lesson the practice teaches us, it’s that, ultimately, we walk this path alone. The teacher lights the way, but we must place one foot in front of the other. We will lose all our teachers - to retirement, illness, or death. Even in the face of loss, we must practice on.
The ancient texts remind us of this truth. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the concept of “abhyāsa”—consistent, disciplined practice—is emphasized as a cornerstone of the path to self-realization. Patanjali tells us that practice becomes firmly grounded when pursued over a long time, without interruption, and with a sense of devotion. This is the essence of commitment: showing up, day after day, regardless of external conditions.
The Aparokṣānubhūti echoes this sentiment. It speaks of unwavering determination and the necessity of continuous effort to transcend the illusions of the mind. Similarly, verse 25 of the Yoga Taravali emphasizes the importance of abhyāsa in the path of yoga. It suggests that through persistent effort, the practitioner gradually attains a state of yoga.
These texts are not mere philosophical musings but reminders from practitioners who walked this path long before us. They faced challenges, losses, and doubts, just as we do. Yet they persisted, leaving behind a legacy that reminds us that the journey of yoga is not about perfection but perseverance.
When we face resistance—whether it’s the heaviness of grief, the distractions of daily life, or the discomfort of physical or emotional struggle—we must remember that we grow from resistance. Resistance creates friction, friction produces heat, and heat is tapas, one of the five Niyamas, burning away impurities. When the practice feels hard, it leads us to growth and change. When it feels easy, it’s inviting us to savor the joy. The practice is always there, waiting for us to return, to meet ourselves exactly as we are.
For the last several months, I’ve been going through many changes. You may have noticed that my online presence has scaled back. My practice has, too. Today, I’m 28 weeks pregnant. I have kept this mostly to myself, sharing it with only family, friends, and the students with whom I work closely. This pregnancy has felt very uncertain after years of trying, multiple losses, and countless medical procedures. After the heartbreak of every loss, I returned to the mat to find my solid ground. And for the past six months, I have experienced a very different type of Ashtanga Yoga (more on this in a different post). I’m stiff, I’m big, I have terrible acid reflux, but still, I practice on. Every practice is a new experience in my particularly impermanent body.
As we navigate life's inevitable ups and downs, we hold on to the practice. We honor our teachers by embodying the lessons they shared, even if they are no longer here to guide us in person. We remember the wisdom of the ancient texts, urging us to keep going. We adapt to our ever-changing bodies and minds, recognizing impermanence. In the end, it is not the conditions, the teacher, or the circumstances that matter most. It is our willingness to show up. To step on the mat. To practice on.
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