As a yoga teacher, this is my favourite time of year. The buzz of excitement, the positive intentions, the priority of health and wellbeing… I love to see so many people showing up for themselves in this beautiful display of Niyama*
Perhaps, you’ve committed to a daily asana practice for 2017. Maybe your intention is to focus more on meditation or pranayama this year. You might plan to attend kirtan more regularly, or it could be that you’re beginning a home practice, incorporating all your favourite aspects of yoga. Whatever your intention and whatever your sadhana (which is Sanskrit for ‘dedicated practice’), it is a time to revisit, reassess and refresh.
But how do we stick with it? When the going gets tough, and our motivation is tested, how do we stay strong in our commitment?
A student of mine once asked, at the end of a week-long retreat, “What happens when we get back to normal life, and it’s not so easy to practise asana, pranayama and meditation twice a day? How do we stay on the path, and how do we keep the magic alive?”
So, I told her about my favourite mantra, which holds special significance for me, and has helped me maintain discipline and focus over the years: Om Mani Padme Hum
The direct translation from Sanskrit is a bit of a mouthful, but it basically means that everybody has the capacity and potential to achieve spiritual evolution and transformation, providing we commit to the work. Simplified even further, this mantra means: Do The Work. Feel The Magic.
Sometimes, ‘The Work’ feels really accessible. For example, it might be easier to stick to the plan at the start of the year – it’s fresh and new, we have space in the diary as we save money post-Christmas, that January detox has us feeling strong and focused, everybody else is in the same mind set, and we’re motivated.Â
Other times, it feels more difficult. Maybe we have scheduling issues, or we feel like we’re lacking physical, mental and emotional strength. We might find ourselves working with an injury or some other physical restriction. Perhaps, our practice is evoking difficult and uncomfortable sensations. Whatever the reason, there will be moments when our commitment and dedication is tested.
But here’s the thing: true transformation and evolution (of any sort) can only come from commitment and dedication to a practice. The invitation is to stick with it, even on the difficult days, and even in the difficult moments. These challenges and tests are just opportunities to strengthen your discipline.
Yogic tradition holds that mantras are more than just words. It’s believed that they are sacred vibrations with strong psychological and spiritual potency. Whether that resonates or not, the message of this mantra is clear. And even on the days when I am struggling with my practice, when I chant, Om Mani Padme Hum, it opens the space for things to flow more easily, and reminds me of the bigger picture – transformation and evolution.
*Niyama – the second of Patanjali’s eight limbs, concerned with self-discipline and spiritual observances
Nikita has been practising yoga since 2001, when she fell in love with the sense of lightness and calm it brings. After training with Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Nashik, India, she went on to study and practice with many inspirational teachers – including David Swenson, Nadia Narain, Mimi Kuo Deemer, Jean Hall, Max Strom, Meghan Currie and Kristen Campbell. Nikita teaches a strong, slow and steady vinyasa flow with a focus on intelligent alignment and mind-body-breath connection. Nikita challenges and motivates her students, encouraging each individual practitioner to explore their own potential. www.yogawithnikita.com
