Connecting With Your Internal “Why”
“When you know your ‘why’, your ‘what’ has more impact because you’re walking in or towards your purpose.” – Michael Jr.
Ever had one of those days when getting to your yoga mat feels harder than walking a straight line backwards while blindfolded? You know the benefits and all the reasons you “should” go, but the motivation just isn’t there. We have all been there, and that’s why we want to share our “secret sauce” for overcoming that resistance and really connecting with your practice!
The prize-winning solution is … drumroll, please … uncovering your deeper “why.” This, dear yogis, is the difference between forcing yourself through a routine and showing up with joy, purpose, excitement, and frequency.
Your “why” matters.
When you dig deep and find that intrinsic, meaningful reason, it becomes your driving force. It’s what gets you to the mat when Netflix is calling your name or life feels too busy to add one more thing. And, once you’re on the mat, it’s what keeps you going through those challenging poses when your muscles are screaming or focused on your breathing when sitting still feels hard.
Your “why” should resonate with you on a personal level. It’s yours and yours alone … that special something that makes you feel like the actions you are taking are aligned with your true self. Your why helps you take meaningful action in your life. And, what you connect with, you are more likely to prioritize.
Sporadic visits to the mat are wonderful (we love seeing you whether it’s once in a while or all the time!) – and, they will still enhance your overall well-being. However, as with most good habits and practices, the more you open time for yoga and meditation, the more your mind and body grow, adapt, and benefit. Surface level reasons to spend time on your mat – flexibility, mobility, exercise, relaxation, and the like – may get you in the door but they won’t usually be enough to keep you coming regularly so you can create a personalized practice and reap those deeper rewards.
If you feel inspired to give it a go, here’s a simple way to uncover your deeper “why”:
1. Start with the surface reason: Ask yourself, “Why did I start yoga?” It might be to get in shape, relieve stress, to get some “me time,” to up your self-care game, or even because your friend dragged you to class. You might have one answer or a few, so write them all down.
2. Go deeper: For each answer, ask yourself, “Why is that important to me?” When you have your next answer, ask “why” again. Keep asking “why” until you can’t dig any deeper. You’ll know you’ve hit gold when your answer makes you feel a strong emotion or brings a sense of clarity.
3. Write it down: Once you’ve found your deeper “why,” write it down and place it somewhere you’ll see it easily and often. It will serve as a reminder and motivator on the days you need it most.
Finding your “why” is about more than just finding a way to motivate yourself to show up. It enhances your mental and emotional journey once you’re on the mat, too! When you’re connected to your deeper purpose, you’ll notice that you get more out of each yoga or meditation session. Poses become more than just movements; they become a form of self-expression and growth. And, the stillness of meditation becomes an open conversation instead of just trying to quiet your mind.
Even better, this all translates outside your time in the TGY studio! When you practice with purpose, the qualities you build on the mat – like patience, perseverance, resilience, non-judgmental attitude, curiosity, playfulness, and self-compassion – start to be more present in your daily life. Imagine facing a stressful situation at work with the same calm and focus you bring to your meditation time, or handling a tough conversation with the grace you’ve developed in your asana flows. That’s your unique “why” in action!
We love it when you show up and leave everything on the mat, but digging in, finding your true self, and letting that drive your practice and forge a stronger purpose for your daily actions is what Twisted Grit Yoga is all about. So, next time you roll out your mat, let your new, meaningful “why” guide you through each pose, breath, and moment.