How do you know what works for you?
I don't have to tell you that there are so many options, perspecitives, opinions and trends in this world and that decoding them can be a minefield...
We get ideas in our minds about what is good for us, and what is not, what we need and what we do not, what is the kind of things we like and what we don't. For a long time, I heard yoga teachers say you should never do other physical activity than yoga, because you should be fully dedicated to it.
Of course now, there are plentyof teachers who do "drills" to develop strength for the practice, who add resistance and weight training to yoga in different ways. Or include movement that is more creative and intuitive into yoga practice, rather than just strict yoga poses.
So how do you know what is good for you, and what you might like (we don't always love something on the first try!) And how do we know if it will be good for us over the longer term?
Check in with your goals, your obvious ones and your underlying ones. Why are you doing movement? Is it for feeling good, performing well, being capable in your life? Or is it for weight loss, trying to change something in yourself, trying to be a better person? Based on this, what will you consider the measure of your own success?
Explore what your movement practice is bringing into your life? Is it helping you feel connected, present, energised? Notice, and if possible write down the benefits you feel when you do a practice or activity.
Explore what your your practice costs your life. If you finish a "great" yoga class, but struggle to walk for a week, maybe it costs too much.
Explore how you can progressively "overload". What does that mean? That means how can you grow your practices in a systematic way, growing bit by bit. I heard someone speaking today who said no more than 10% per week. That means 10% more load, 10% more time, 10% more... whatever.
Look at your overall movement diet. Explore what else in your movement diet needs to shift as you make changes? Do you need more recovery and rest? Do you need more remedial movement? Do you need more expansive, dynamic or powerful movements? How do these different parts of your movement diet work together?
WRITE IT DOWN
Notice this is all about exploration, not about these 5 steps. You are unique. What your body needs a t this moment is different from anyone else. In your life are you in need of challenges that inspire you, or deep nuturing and rest? Do you need steadiness, rhythm and consistency or variety and fun? When you get more clarity on what you need, you can tailor your movement to that need. Reflecting helps you realise what quantity, quality, intensity and energy you need to function well so you can make your movement diet fit your needs.
Here are some things that might tell you things are going well:
You feel energised.
You have a rhythm or routine in your practices that you are able to keep to.
Movement makes you feel noticably better.
You can sense overall improvement in your fitness, endurance, strength or your capacities.
You are able to manage pain symptoms as they arise.
Here are some indications you may need to reframe your movement diet or change up your program:
You contantly struggle with motivation.
You feel exhausted, bored or find it difficult to stick to your routine.
You feel more pain after you workout or move.
You are losing other capabilities like grip strength, or daily movement abilities.
One last piece to note: If your goals are related to external markers like weight loss, it can be difficult to measure and feel what is working for you from the inside. Weight loss goals also can come at costs. Perhaps you lose weight, but you feel lower in energy or focus, or you have to let go of social engagement. Or else it creates an internal fight with your body, which means that even if things are going “right” there is conflict within. This is not to say you shouldn’t consider weight loss as part of your goals, although for my sanity and joy that is something that I have had to fully let go of.
It is to say that sometimes weight stabilisation to your body’s comfort or balance comes from that place of full acceptance, moving for joy and pleasure, responding to your body and being fully engaged with life.