This year we embarked on a mission to see if we could find a way to take the spiritual and physical benefits of yoga on the road. To do this we used 21 days of Yoga practice to see what we could learn about ourselves and the world around us. After 21 days we found that our lives had changed in many ways, but the biggest change was that we could make the connection between our thoughts and actions. If you’re interested in the beginning of this journal of a journey to wellness, we encourage you to read the 21 day entry.
Every morning and night, we try to do something that’s part of our spiritual practice. But if you ask most people what their spiritual practice consists of, they tend to shrug and say, “Well, it varies.” As a result, many spiritual traditions have developed different methods for nurturing spiritual practice. Some stress daily practice, some weekly practice, and some even recommend a daily practice for 21 days, 21 weeks, and 21 months (yoga’s 21-day tradition). But what does a 21-day practice look like? After reading this article, you’ll see.
Yoga is a practice that has been around for a long time. There are many different forms of yoga. Some forms of yoga are more popular than others. In recent years, a new kind of yoga has been popular. This kind of yoga is known as Sadhana Yoga. Sadhana means “spiritual practice or discipline.” The goals of Sadhana Yoga is to help people reach the highest level of spiritual awareness. Sadhana Yoga is not a religion, but rather a spiritual practice or discipline. Sadhana Yoga is based on the idea that, as a human being, we are all already divine and we can reach our divine soul. Sadhana Yoga means we can become better people, become better human beings, become more
January is the month of new beginnings, and you may see yoga challenges popping up everywhere: in gyms and yoga studios, at work with yoga additions (office yoga, chair yoga, meditation breaks), and on social media with a sea of yoga selfies.
It’s that time of year to get back on the mat! Let’s face it, yoga may go to the bottom of the must-do list on certain days (or weeks, or eeek…MONTHS). Have you decided that 2016 is the year to go for it and develop your practice by going to your mat on a more regular basis during the next few weeks?
If that’s the case, keep reading to find out more about what to anticipate (as well as how to prepare for the unexpected) throughout this transformational process.
Table of Contents
SADHANA’S DEFINITION
Sadhana is the Sanskrit word for “committed practice.” A modern-day sadhana often lasts 21, 30, or 40 days and will eventually break you free from your old behaviors by instilling new, healthier ones.
As you see your practice rise to the top of your mountain heap of priorities, the dramatic change in your schedule will lift you up and out of your yoga rut.
Without a doubt, engaging in sadhana will, at the very least, promote accountability and guarantee that by SIGNING UP, you will actually SHOW UP and have a better chance of staying with it in the days (and perhaps years) ahead.
From Resistance to Receptivity in 21 Days
The “negative” dread of change, as opposed to the “positive” fear that protects and warns of impending danger, is known as resistance. We become accustomed to going in one way and ultimately get complacent, as do all creatures of habit.
Resistance slams on the brakes and stops us in our tracks when a desire emerges and encourages us to alter direction. Critical self-talk, skepticism, and rationalizations all try to convince us to continue on our current path, even if it is no longer conducive to spiritual development.
Receptivity, on the other hand, enables us to negotiate life’s winding highways, which are full of terrifying twists and turns. During the first 21 days of your sadhana, you will undoubtedly face the obstinate obstacles of resistance that tend to come in your way. You may even think about resigning.
If you can persevere, you will find that you have acquired a quiet inner “knowing” that enables you to accept life as it comes and gracefully navigate tough changes.
From Grief to Gratitude in 30 Days
There is essential sorrow that is part of the healing process after a loss, and then there is lingering grief tinged with guilt and remorse for the things we can’t alter in the past.
This second kind of sorrow has the ability to immobilize and blind us to everything outside of our own identities, tales, and personal experiences. Gratitude, on the other hand, allows you to bow to the past, respect the lessons learnt, and let it go for good.
To transcend boredom and awaken to the universe of nuances going on throughout a meditation, asana, and pranayama practice, it takes a lot of patience to show up for 30 days.
The practice “appears” to be the same from the outside, but your internal look or “perspective” has changed, and no two practices are ever the same. Wallowing in previous failures, as well as relishing in the nostalgia of former triumphs, generates expectations.
Gratitude makes the little details as well as those lighting “AHA” moments of discovery apparent, revealing a fresh beginning in each instant. These are the kinds of moments that keep yogis going back to the mat every day!
From Strength to Surrender in 40 Days
We all want to improve our strength and flexibility via yoga, and those laudable objectives may help the muscular, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems of the body, as well as reduce stress hormones and boost energy levels.
However, as you approach the 40-day mark of consistent practice, you’ll begin to grasp what it means to “muscle” through a posture or asana sequence, and you’ll realize that even at a difficult time, you’ll require less and less mental and physical effort.
Rather than simply creating shapes with your body, you will embrace these holy yoga poses as they flow through you. Judy Rukat is a writer who lives in New York City.
The word “samadhi” refers to meditation via movement, and it happens when you can let go and allow your body to operate and perform at its best with the least amount of effort.
Surrendering, however, should not imply giving up, avoiding difficulties, or choosing the easy way out. To fully submit, you must go with your nature rather than against it.
“You cannot practice yoga,” says Sharon Gannon. Yoga is a natural condition for you. Yoga activities may help you discover where you’re fighting your natural state.”
EVERYTHING is honored by the Divine in me.
Finally, after committing to yoga for ANY length of time, you will experience an increase in energy, ease of movement where you previously experienced pain, and a pure mental clarity that will aid you in seeking peace amidst all of life’s awful gore and great grandeur.
You will just experience calm in your mind and emotions.
Whether you begin a 21, 30, or 40-day sadhana, the REAL challenge begins with simply getting up and making it to DAY 1, and you will soon discover that EVERYDAY is somehow, for better or worse, another version of DAY 1, and you will soon discover that EVERYDAY is somehow, for better or worse, another version of DAY 1. You finally stop counting the days and simply perform your practice. Namaste.
Johnny Galvan / Judy Rukat / Johnny Galvan / Judy Rukat / Judy Rukat / Judy Rukat / Judy Rukat / Judy Ru
I’ve been practicing yoga for about 4 years now and have an idea of what it takes to get to the next level. But, I wanted to see if I really could get there by practicing yoga everyday for 21 days and see if I get the same results. After all, I’ve mastered the poses, but I wasn’t sure if I was truly getting the benefits that yoga promises.. Read more about 40 days of kirtan kriya and let us know what you think.
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