Turning a New Leaf

The concept of “turning over” a leaf is often used to describe making a change in your life, but it’s only two-sided and we know that things aren’t that easy. I often meet people that want to "turn over a leaf" and start a yoga practice but presenting that idea to them in a two-sided way -- either you either start yoga or you don’t -- minimizes the challenges that often present themselves when people start to think about starting yoga.
There are all the standard things that come up: Maybe a concern that you’re not flexible, or where will you go to do it, what you’ll wear, how to do the poses. But then there’s the more deeply rooted concerns; fears really, about how will you look, will you feel somehow inadequate because you’re not following along, will you have old feelings re-surface about not being able to do something well and how will that make you feel? There’s a lot more there than can fit on either one side of a leaf or another.
So what is it with people that can just turn over that leaf? In my experience in working with people in the context of yoga it could be any number of things: They find a studio that’s really convenient for them, they have a friend that started yoga and they’re raving about it, they’re just tired of waking up and feeling stiff and inflexible.

Here are a few things that can help you as you start on your path

* Find people who will support you.
* Get the professional support you need.
* Start small.
* Make time to rest.

There’s more but this is a start. If you’re looking for specific tips or resources, please contact me, I will be happy to provide you the information to your questions.