Finding your Why

Now’s your chance to act like every curious toddler in the world and ask, “BUT WHY?” Specifically, ask yourself, why do you practice yoga?

Many people think “yea sure, yoga is supposed to be good for you so I guess I should probably do it”, but why do YOU want to practice yoga, specifically? Yoga is good for a lot of things, but it’s only good for you if you actually practice it. Your yoga mat rolled up in the back corner of your closet for 5 years with all the best intentions of taking it out someday isn’t doing a whole lot of good. However, taking the time to determine why you personally would like to get back to your yoga practice can be a great way to get back to it and stick with it.

In any endeavor, I have a firm belief that it is important to take the time to “find your why” before diving in. If you don’t have a good reason why you’re doing something, why bother doing it? Better yet, if it’s something you really want to be doing (or know you really ought to), finding your why can make you stick with it!

Take the time to actually write down the reason why you’re doing the things you choose to do, and you’ll be far more likely to stick with them. Better yet, write it down and make it public! There’s strength in numbers, so once your friends and family are aware of your goal and why it’s important to you, they can help keep you accountable.

Here I’ve created a sample format of how you might determine your why. I kept it generic so you can fill it in for just about anything, but take a moment and fill it in either mentally or on paper for your yoga practice specifically. Feel free to elaborate as much or as little as you need. Remember, this is a tool for YOU, to help you succeed.

• What is the thing I am choosing to do?
• Why am I choosing to do this thing?
• Why should I do this thing in this way instead of a different way?
• Why is doing this thing important to me?
• What am I hoping to get out of this experience?
• How often do I need to do this thing?
• What items do I need in order to be successful with this?
• What assistance do I need in order to be successful with this?
• If I hit a bump in the road, what do I need to do to get me back on track?
• Why is this thing more important than something else that is bound to come up during the time which I have allotted to do this?
• What determines whether I have accomplished the thing I am choosing to do?

Below I’ve created an example to get you started. Notice that each response is detailed and specific to this individual. Get creative and use this format to help you find your why for just about anything in life!

• What is the thing I am choosing to do?
  • I am choosing to practice vigorous vinyasa yoga for 60 minutes, 3 times a week, for the next 3 months.
• Why am I choosing to do this thing?
  • I am choosing to do this because I want to give myself a chunk of time that is just for me, to give me a chance to recharge. An added bonus is that I hope to gain strength and increase my energy levels for my day to day life.
• Why should I do this thing in this way instead of a different way?
  • I am choosing to do 3, 60 minute vigorous vinyasa yoga classes per week because I know I am available for one hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after work. I want to stick with the vigorous style because it seems to be the most helpful in burning off any anxious energy I’ve built up throughout the day.
• Why is doing this thing important to me?
  • I want to develop a self-care practice so that I am able to show up as my best self for my family, friends, and coworkers. I have noticed lately that I end my days burned out and I tend to be short with people when this happens.
• What am I hoping to get out of this experience?
  • I am hoping to have more energy in my day to day life, as well as an increased sense of ease and calm.
• How often do I need to do this thing?
  • 60 minutes, 3 days a week, for 3 months.
• What items do I need in order to be successful with this?
  • 60 minutes of free time, 3 days a week.
  • A yoga mat and props
  • A peaceful place to practice
  • A vigorous vinyasa flow, either that I’ve created myself or following along with an instructor
• What assistance do I need in order to be successful with this?
  • Suggestions of vigorous vinyasa flows to follow via video (live or recorded)
  • Help with household chores to ensure my free time remains available for yoga
  • Accountability check-ins once a week from my friend
• If I hit a bump in the road, what do I need to do to get me back on track?
  • The accountability check-ins mean that I will stay on schedule. If I am struggling in the vinyasa flow itself, I will ask my instructor for assistance or modifications. If I need additional props to assist in the vinyasa flow, I will purchase them ASAP.
• Why is this thing more important than something else that is bound to come up during the time which I have allotted to do this?
  • I need to prioritize my vigorous vinyasa classes as a method of self-care so that I can accomplish all of the other things with more energy and in a more positive state of mind.
• What determines whether I have accomplished the thing I am choosing to do?
  • I will have accomplished my goal once I have practiced vigorous vinyasa yoga for 60 minutes, 3 days a week, for 3 months. Then I can set a new self-care goal, which may be more vigorous vinyasa yoga, or something else.

Try using this method to get a better understanding of why you want to do anything in life, especially lifestyle changes or big changes that are hard to commit to. Let me know if you use it, and how it works for you!

Need some help with finding your why? I will be doing a workshop over zoom, so email me at coddiwompleyoga@gmail.com if you’re interested! All you’ll need to bring is a notebook (or a laptop if you prefer to type your notes and ideas) and an open mind.