What I learned after 108 days of Yoga
“Without commitment you cannot have depth in anything. Neil Strauss”
2020 have been a year where a lot (or all) changed without any question, and we all know that. It was a quick and urgent need to adapt to a new reality where being at home, alone or far from our loved ones was for real.
Before this year, I though I was a person who commits, a doer. However, with this new reality, I was able to discover that it was partly true.
I have been practicing yoga for the last 3 or 4 years, quite consistent about presence and always finding time to be able to make even in busy times. With the COVID-19 situation, the studio closed and a decision was needed: To do or not do? And the answer became a 108 days of YES.
The day 1 was cool, new routine, everyone learning how it could be possible to do remotely. Day 5, internet issues, late for class, but it was still great. One day of ashtanga, another with Bikram, another with a great Flow, another with Care Yoga, a recover day with Yin Yoga.
Classes of 20, 30, 60 or even 90 minutes were part of my routine. Some days I was feeling tired, sore, stressed, but I kept going. It started in Summer, went through Autumn and Winter (REALLY????). Every day I committed with the YES to practice the “me time”, connecting with the colleagues, instructor, and myself. People from my city and other in another continent — but still a commitment with the moment.
The days were passing quickly, Time flied, and every days the challenge was bigger, the time shorter, the lockdown effects were there. 50 days, 60, 70 and it became lighter, part of my routine, part of my schedule naturally. The evolution started in the asanas, the mind felt stronger, the focus different. The experience became deeper and when I barely noticed, 100 days were done.
I remember that on the da100 I felt like a I did a huge thing, but also started reflecting why this consistency was not appearing other areas. How could I be so commit with a daily practice and not with a daily learning process, a daily improvement?
So I noticed that its all about choose, all about set what is right for the moment. What is right, good and aligned with your goals, respecting your available energy, time and space. And some time it will be necessary to stop.
Finally, 8 days later, due a visit to my parents after 6 months without seeing them, one day I was not able to do, I skipped — And oppositely from what I imagined, I felt good in having a day off. And 108 days later a break.
In yoga, the number 108 refers to spiritual completion. It is why japa malas are composed of 108 beads, why pranayama is often completed in cycles of 108, and why sun salutations are often performed in nine rounds of the 12 postures (totaling 108). By practicing chanting, breath work, or asana in rounds of this sacred number, the ancient yogis believed we could align ourselves with the rhythm of the creation, and ultimately bring an end to our cycle of reincarnation.(wanderlust.com)
During this period of discover, I felt myself aligning with my self. I know, sounds selfish, ridiculous, but in a Era where people do not stop to feel and dive in yourself, This moment like a life changer. Things started flowing more naturally, acceptation, organization and commitment became a normality even with this unusual times. And now another experience is running, another learning moments, that soon will be shared with you.
