“Act with a spirit of detachment, being equal to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.” Bhagavad Gita (400-300BCE), India

Change is the only constant in our world. Cliche as that is, it stands the test of time as a colloquial statement we can all relate to.

On the mat, during solo or class flows, it is easy to find joy in the transitions between poses. You might add flare with a jump back or expressive hands. Even when the transition is not as smooth as we hoped, we find it easier to laugh through that challenge on the mat. Off the mat, we embark on a journey in search of any ounce of joy in a transitional situation. Even when a change, such as a new year, is positive and has a low impact on our lives, we can still get stuck analyzing the destination of the change versus allowing excitement to flow through the transition. Put simply, we may use December to only plan for the upcoming year instead of finding ease and appreciation for the journey made. 

This month, as we prepare to transition into a new year I empower you to move through this transition with ease, excitement, and joy; all rooted in yoga.

How to use yoga to ease the challenges of change:

For us, everything yoga-related comes back to the Yamas and the Niyamas (one day we’ll write a piece on that, but there’s a lot to unpack there). These elements are the foundation of many yoga practices and lifestyles and are mental practices more than physical. 

Tip #1: The Yamas - specifically Aparigraha - non-possessiveness

• If you were to break down the core of any fear or anxiousness towards changes and transitions, at the root lies possessive ideas of the current. An attachment to what is. It is strange, that attachment to the current can be present even when the current is not suitable or the change is more positive than the current. 

• To embrace change and be excited for what is next in your world, you must be able to first release your grasp on the present. Letting go allows for space to open for something else to come in. 

• Our attachments and possessions to the present can be more mental than physically tangible like an attachment to a favorite shirt. A mental possession is the possession of an idea you’ve created in your mind. A mental attachment or desire can lead to resistance to change. Where your mind goes, your energy flows. If we do not allow ourselves to release mental attachments, daydreams, and stories we tell ourselves, we will not have the capacity to invite new opportunities or changes. 

Tip #2: The Niyamas - specifically Swadhaya - “Self-study”

• It is said we communicate not to agree, but to understand. So why do we try to understand others but not try for that same understanding with ourselves?

• Self-study means sitting with yourself and asking the hard questions. Revealing and accepting the not-so-good stuff and the great stuff. Allowing thoughts, good and bad, about upcoming events and desires to float into consciousness with acute awareness, but without judgment. 

• With time and intention, self-study can help you understand why the upcoming change is causing anxiety to change and any attachment to the present. 

Tip #3: Be Bendy

• Physical flexibility symbolizes our ability to be mentally agile. 

• Roll out your mat or simply plop on the ground and allow your body to move. Don’t think about a specific flow or set of poses to weave together. Allow your body to move in ways that feel organic. Surprise your mind with the way you move your body without a plan, without a goal in mind, without knowledge of when that movement will end. Invite your mind to the idea that even without a plan, a change in position can be ok.

Tangible ways to practice the tips:

• Journal. Write a list of the changes that are coming up. List the feelings you have out. 

• Sit in Hero’s Pose for Meditation. Sitting with your glutes on your heels exemplifies a heroic determination. Find stillness for a few minutes while you meditate on self-understanding and self-acceptance. 

• Create. Create a new flow or playlist. Draw, paint, or wear a new outfit. Find your creative outlet that doesn’t require a destination or a plan. Create, enjoy, and for those moments be present.