Coming from a physical background, I found it a challenge applying the philosophy of Yoga to the practice of Yoga. I mentioned in my previous post about the practice of Yoga, and the first thing that is required is discipline. The discipline of practice; whatever it is you may be practicing. So, if I look at my Yoga practice, then it’s having the discipline to do my practice everyday. If I look at my work with Les Mills International as the UK Bodybalance Head Trainer, it’s the discipline of learning the choreography 100%, knowing that particular release inside out, of filming myself every so often to self-evaluate. If I look at writing this blog, then maintaining the discipline of writing whenever I’ve decided I would write.
Now, I’m not very good with discipline. The word just doesn’t sit well with me. So, I ask myself if discipline as we’re referring to here is any different to cultivating a habit? Habit, I can cope with. Surely both words, acted out on a daily basis, mean the same thing? I develop the habit of practicing my Yoga everyday. I develop the discipline of practicing my Yoga everyday. I develop the habit to write everyday. I develop the discipline of writing everyday.
Whilst on the surface, they may seem to be the same thing; TAPAS, as referred to in the Yoga Sutra, about the action of Yoga, can also mean “heat”. We need to generate some sort of “heat” with our practice. Therefore, if I think of discipline, just the thought of the word makes me hot under the collar. Is this what it means? Yes, the physical practice of Yoga does get you warm; and if you practice Bikram Yoga, more than warm?!
But applied to life, what do you think?
