As we approach the end of Q3 (July, August, September), a quick update.
At the beginning of July, I started Project Daily Yoga.
I committed to David Swenson’s 45-minute Ashtanga Yoga Practice. I told myself, come hell or high water, I would make time to do this sequence every day.
But more than that, I wanted to do it pure. No hidden agendas like greater flexibility or more toned abs. I wanted to embrace the Zen adage: “Goal is Path. Path is Goal.” My idea was: Commit to the path. Do it every damned day. That was my only goal. I wanted to focus on the process, not the outcomes.
I’m 60 days in now, and the fact is, my flexibility gains have been minimal, and my body is no more toned than it was in early July. The mirror shows no change whatsoever, and my fancy scale says I’m actually moving in the wrong direction.
I don’t get it, and I’m getting a little depressed.
I saw The Odyssey for the second time yesterday, and now I’m thinking this might be a test by the gods. Are they testing my resolve? Putting storms and gargoyles in my way to see if I’ll quit?
If so, bring it, gods! I’m not quitting. Not yet, anyway. It’s only Day 60. Check back on me on Day 600.
Back in July, I wondered if I could make this project interesting and fun. Could I do it without whining and complaining? Could I just fall in love with the process?
Apparently, the answer is:
Or not yet.
I know, at least theoretically, that the act of showing up to train, day after day, month after month, year after year is the alchemical ingredient.
Persistently, with reverence, for a long time is my mantra.
At the same time, I still want evidence of transformation. Just a little. Especially when it’s a body practice, and a hard one at that. Surely after 60 days, shouldn’t I be able to get my nose a teensy bit closer to my knees in a forward fold?
My hidden agendas are revealed in my disappointment. The goal of falling in love with the process, or falling in love with reality (Amor fati), is still in the Ideal Realm, not a reality for me.
Yet.
Intellectually, I know that:
1. Change takes time.
2. Change takes consistency over time.
3. Change takes incremental change over time.
4. It takes time to turn the ship around.
5. While the ship is turning around, there is no visible change.
6. Persistence is the key.
So as it stands now, there are still 4 weeks left in Q3.
It’s time to refocus on just showing up, speaking more kindly to my body, lowering my expectations, and learning to love the discipline of habit change while genuinely enjoying the ride.
Onward.
Inspiration Location 