I’ve been noticing recently how I am finally able to accept that my yoga practice ebbs and flows and not get frustrated by it. It’s something that is talked about alot in yoga and yoga philosophy: acceptance - being able to acknowledge thoughts and emotions without becoming attached to them. It’s only in the last few months I have really noticed myself being able to do this without trying, both in my practice and in life and it’s quite liberating.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras talk about the Eight Limbs of Yoga or The Eight Limbed Path. Two of these limbs are the yamas and niyamas - not strictly rules or codes of conduct but a bit like an ethical roadmap to guide you on life’s journey. Yamas are often translated as ‘restraints’ or things to avoid, while niyamas are often translated as ‘observances’ or things to do to help you on your way through life.

This non-attachment to outcomes is often how the yama ‘aparigraha’ is translated. I am a naturally competitive person, particularly with myself, so this does not come easy to me. I used to judge each practice in my mind with previous practices and what I had achieved in the past, mentally grading them. But now I find myself accepting that some days I will feel like I’m a yoga goddess and on others I won’t, and I’m ok with that. Just like I used to beat myself up if I hadn’t managed to practice very much that week.

Now I find myself just shrugging my shoulders more often than not and thinking ‘Ah, well, that’s life.’