Your Yoga Journey
Practicing yoga is a sacred act. Yoga has the power to transform our lives. Yoga also provides lessons for leadership. Our practice continues even after we leave our mats. The practice of yoga is part of a larger philosophy about the ways in which we live our lives. The “Bhagavad Gita” speaks to the journey humans embark on to realize peace and understanding. This journey is the transformation. When we become conscious of our practice on the yoga mat, we have an invitation to get clearer about our journey off the yoga mat.
The Stages of Yoga
Each stage of yoga, from the moment we arrive on our yoga mats until we roll away our mats, represents a part of the journey we face in our everyday lives. We begin our practice with intention. We settle into our bodies and attempt to focus on minds on practice. We shift slowly into our practice. Initially, our movements are slow and long. We feel our bodies. Perhaps we push ourselves or maybe we begin our movements with a bit of hesitation. Then, the mind reminds us that it is still there. It invites us to tune into the experience. As we intensify into the yoga flow, we negotiate with our minds in an attempt to focus and will ourselves through each posture. We remember to connect with our breath. The dance repeats itself until finally, the time for stillness present itself. The integration and reflection that follows brings our yoga practice to an end.
The Lessons Yoga Provides for Leadership
The internal process of yoga is the practice. Why? Because when we leave our mats, our minds and bodies remember the experience. It is real. As we go about our days, our minds reflect back on our practice. This happens consciously or unconsciously. As we flow through our days, yoga gives us clues about how to face situations in our lives. In our workplaces, the yoga learnings for leaders are quite clear. Whether you are leading teams or managing a special project, these yoga insights provide practical guidance to improving your leadership:
- Set an intention: Before beginning a project or embarking on a new task, set an intention. The time and energy you take to focus on the tasks at hand is necessary to ensure you are clear about what you are doing and why. In leadership, clear vision and the motivation behind the vision is critical for success. As a leader, you must consider your team, other departments and the company’s goals as you set your goals. This creates alignment.
- Tune in: Once we set an intention or goal, it is time to move into action. Movement is good, especially if you are working toward a deadline. However, taking the time to observe and be mindful about how the vision is being received is crucial. Lead, but stay connected to your team. Check in to see if adjustments to the vision or the path forward needs to be adjusted.
- Flow: Work your plan. Stay engaged with your team. Move with confidence. Look for new solutions to problems. Focus on what you can change. Accept you may not be able to change everything at once.
- Reflect: Take time to reflect on the work you completed. What worked? What can be improved? How did you intention shape your actions? Reflection is when we integrate, so honor yourself by taking time to do it.
Yoga provides clues for developing your leadership. Yoga inspires. As it inspires, it teaches. Read more about my yoga journey in Hotep to Namaste – A Yoga Journey and take a moment for yoga inspiration and motivation.
