Be like a Fanatic

Well that’s something I never thought I would recommend!

So my healing teacher said at the weekend “be like a fanatic in your yoga practice, but don’t be a fanatic in your life”. Fanatic is a pretty strong word that doesn’t have positive connotations for me, but I loved what he meant! If you are doing yoga or meditation half-heartedly with your mind already on all the things you have to do today, you are missing out. If you keep checking the time to see if you are nearly done, if you find your hand reaching to check your mobile in between postures you are missing the benefits. What you put into your practice is what you get out.

So give your all into the yoga and fully commit through the good, the difficult and the boring. Carry on beyond what your mind says you are capable of. Give your full attention, your best effort, the most perfect posture available to you today. Without any comparing or judgement if it’s not as good as yesterday or better than yesterday. It is whatever it is. And when you notice the mind isn’t fully with it, not a problem - we all have times like this. Just keep beginning again and committing to the quality of your practice.

And always listen to and respect your body. Go gently into stretches, stop if you have any sharp pains and be gentle with yourself when you are recovering from injury or illness or for ladies on the heaviest days of your menstrual cycle. Being fanatical doesn’t mean being harsh and pushing your body too hard or too fast. So if you know you have a tendency to push yourself hard already, see if you can be fanatical about listening to your body fully. Take care of your wonderful body - it is the only one that you have!

And most importantly being fanatical in your practice includes giving your all to the relaxation! Really giving your body to the ground, letting go of the mind, releasing tension and letting yourself deeply rest, receive and integrate.

And is it worth the effort and discomfort? ABSOLUTELY YES! It feels incredible afterwards! The effect is exponential, you have to feel it to believe it!

So definitely be a fanatic in your yoga and meditation practice. And when you need some gentleness be fanatical about that!

And in your life stop being so fanatical! Give yourself some space to enjoy your life. Give yourself some moments to breathe and connect with yourself and with the life happening around you. Enjoy the simple things that make life special. Stop worrying about being perfect and enjoy being human. Have some fun!