Yoga has its ups and downs

By Mindy Arbuckle, E-RYT

My husband got me into mountain biking several years ago when we were dating. I remember one of my first rides we took. It was a pretty mellow ride, a wide path, not too bumpy and pretty flat for the Rocky Mountains. I was going along nicely and saw a stream ahead. We had crossed something that looked like it earlier in the day so I decided to cross it. I rode right into it. The water was about two feet deep. It stopped me in my tracks and I fell sideways right into the water. I still have to laugh about it. I was soaked yet I had a smile on my face.

Ten years later I have a brand new full suspension mountain bike and a week off in the mountains. I’m better at mountain biking these days but I wouldn’t say I’m awesome. Yet I still go for the rides my husband suggests. I have faith that he knows my abilities and that he wont get me into trouble on a ride. And if I get in a little over my head he is there to support me and get me through the tough spots.

We were able to go on two classic rides, the Monarch Crest and the 401. It was my third time on the Monarch Crest trail but my first opportunity with the 401 in Crested Butte. Both rides were amazing with the most beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The Monarch Crest had a familiarity to me after riding it three times while the 401 was fresh, new and at times a little daunting. Mountain biking has climbs and descents, ups and downs. The ride always challenges me in some way, yet I’m willing to do the thing that tests me both physically and mentally. I used positive thinking when I came across something that seriously pushed me. I put behind me past experiences of successes and failures of where I had to push my bike or a place where I crashed so I could keep moving forward. Above all I persevered with confidence and I had fun!

What does all this have to do with yoga you ask? Plenty. The parallels are many and the experience is the same. Complete joy and elation at making it to the top of a climb and safely descending and finishing a ride successfully. When we are in our practice we have a wonderful sense of joy and accomplishment when we attempt a new pose and truly succeed at it! At the end of every class we pause in Savasana and allow the practice to sink in. We feel better after a yoga class than we did before.

All yogas, like all rides, have a sense of beauty and grace to them. Sometimes as you start you feel like yoga is a pretty easy path, free of obstructions and easy as can be. As you consistently practice you find familiarity to the postures and breath work. Even when you attempt something new you have a quiet confidence that gets you through the tough spots. Like my big stream crossing we do find obstacles, big ones at times, that challenge us to keep going. Some may quit, yet students of wisdom will persist with a smile on their faces. At times we need the guidance of a wise yoga teacher that knows your potential better than you do. Have faith in your teachers to get you through some of your obstacles and trust in your ability to get through them.

As with mountain biking, yoga has its ups and downs. Some days you find it easy to get to your practice. Other days it feels impossible to commit to an hour for yourself. Or your favorite class has changed teachers and it is different than you are use to. The challenges yoga has to offer are either mental, physical or at times both. Sometimes using positive affirmations are the only thing that can get you through. Getting frustrated at yourself or at the teacher doesn’t bring you into balance. Feeling attached to something that has been in the past will limit you in the present. Letting go of both past accomplishments and crashes will keep you growing and moving forward.

Above all persevere. Continue your practice regularly and consistently no matter what. See what comes up for you and have confidence you will make it through and be better because of it.

About the author:
Mindy Arbuckle is the owner of Green Mountain Yoga in Arvada, CO. She has been studying and teaching yoga for most of her adult life and is passionate about helping people through positive and intentional self transformation.