The nine obstacles on the Yoga Way.

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a good week.

Fitting a yoga class a week is a commitment. Sometimes the head wants to, but our mind prevents us from.

In the Yoga Philosophy, it says that there are 9 obstacles on the Yoga Way.

What is the Yoga Way?

It is the path we embark on as a human being to take away distractions from our mind and be able to see more clearly in ourselves, which in turn enables us to take better action. When our understanding is clear, we feel quietness and calmness deep within us.

"When we see something correctly, there is profound peace within us. We feel no tension, no unrest, no agitation." - The Heart of Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar.

My Yoga Way is now extended beyond the mat. As I have shared with you, journaling and meditating are part of my daily habits. I also practice yoga on the mat daily even if sometimes it's 5 or 10 minutes.

I also believe that my other physical activities are part of my yoga journey. I enjoy swimming. The breathing of swimming gives me tremendous benefits. Walking and running also help me bring clarity to my mind.

Having sufficient physical and mental activity helps me regulate myself better. I see more clearly, I make better decisions, I make fewer mistakes.

But like everyone, obstacles come in the way of this "ideal routine."

I thought I would share with you what they are, so you are able to recognise them when they arise and maybe the next time take the conscious decision to change your action on that day, to make a better decision for yourself:

The nine obstacles on the Yoga Way:

1. Illness

2. Mental stagnation

3. Doubts

4. Lack of foresight

5. Fatigue

6. Overindulgence

7. Illusion about one's true state of mind

8. Lack of perseverance

9. Regression

   
   

   I want to remind everyone that yoga isn't a destination. It's a path, a practice.

The practice of yoga involves addressing and overcoming these obstacles to attain physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Come this week to my class, overcome your obstacles, and take what the practice offers you, may it be relaxation, breathing, or the physical practice.

Have a beautiful week,

Helene