Do you remember to give yourself permission to have fun & play as an adult?
I have been thinking about the topic of play as an adult lately and a conversation with a student recently reminded me about this topic.
After a yoga class, she told me her intention for her yoga practice was to have fun. She said it made such a big difference for her practice, and helped her to feel super strong and open - she laughed that she felt that way '“even though it may not have looked pro-yogi from the outside”.
I loved hearing this, the motivation you can find in your yoga practice by just letting go and trying to have FUN is real.
I can totally relate as I remember in my early days of practicing I would show up to class after or before my full time job - and would have to give myself a pep-talk about “how I'm gonna get though this class?” I would repeat to myself…”let go, follow the breath..just breathe, you'll feel amazing afterwards”...and this pep talk always worked!
You're allowed to have some fun and play in your yoga practice. I think this is what drew me to practicing Rocket Vinyasa Yoga: the ability to move in an Ashtanga style, but with the permission to have some fun and be creative, and try things you wouldnt be allowed to in Ashtanga ‘until you’re ready’. I still practice my Ashtanga 4 days a week as my foundation for grounding and strength/resiliency, but add in a Rocket practice about once a week to remind my serious Ashtangi side to have some fun and try new things.
My spiritual practice is my practice, but it doesn’t have to be so serious all of the time. It’s a time to actually get to have fun in my busy week, create joy and play as an adult, and to bond with my friends. Yoga is about looking inwards, and it’s also a practice of finding the ability to let go and become open-minded. Yoga is a place for self healing, connection, expanding consciousness, building compassion and overcoming fears, and also to find enjoyment in your life - right!?!
This is part of what yoga is all about - letting go, detachment, putting in the work without expecting reward, coming into practice with a curious, open mindset to experiment with what you can achieve.
Letting go of what happened and what didn't happen, letting go of fear of failure, pressure to perform, perform for admiration or being competitive, and instead just trying your best and having a great time in the process.
Through the practice you can observe yourself experiencing a range of feelings and emotions and catch yourself when you're trying to hard and then remind yourself to let go and play.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!
Like this and want to keep reading?
Check out my blog about my thoughts on why your yoga class is the perfect place to build community: