(…and how Dru Yoga makes the practice accessible to all, regardless of age, physical conditions or mental blocks…)
Have you ever found yourself in a yoga class, glancing around the room, and feeling a twinge of discouragement?
Perhaps you noticed your neighbor’s deep forward fold, seemingly effortless, while you struggled to reach your toes, feeling every bit the definition of inflexible.
It’s a common moment of self-doubt many of us encounter, sparking an internal narrative that we’re somehow not “doing yoga right.” This, however, is where our journey begins.
Yoga is a journey, not the destination
It’s a path we embark upon not to compare progress or to reach perfection but to discover and overcome our unique barriers, both physical and mental. Recognizing this is the first step to embracing yoga in its true essence.
In the rich and diverse world of yoga, every practitioner embarks on a unique journey towards self-improvement, balance, and inner peace. Yet, this journey is seldom without its challenges.
Physical limitations, mental blocks, and emotional barriers can often seem like insurmountable obstacles, casting shadows of doubt and hesitation on our path.
I write from personal experience: I practiced yoga at home alone for years, too shy to even consider attending a physical class full of real people. To this day I really don’t know what finally inspired me to find my group—I’m just really glad I did.
The “What’s Stopping You” series is designed to shine a light on these challenges, exploring the common barriers that individuals face in their yoga practice and offering insights into how you can navigate through them.
While incorporating the nurturing principles of Dru Yoga, I also draw upon the wisdom of the wider yoga tradition, recognizing that overcoming these barriers is a shared struggle and triumph across all forms of practice.
Physical Barriers: Beyond Flexibility and Strength
Physical barriers in yoga are often the most visible. These can range from limitations in flexibility and strength to chronic pain or injury. The fear of not being “good enough” or not fitting the stereotypical image of a yoga practitioner can discourage many from even beginning their practice.
In this series, we delve into how such physical barriers can be addressed through mindfulness, props, and specialized practices like Dru Yoga, which emphasizes gentle, flowing movements and modifications designed to accommodate all bodies and abilities.
Mental Barriers: The Inner Battle
Equally daunting, if not more so, are the mental barriers that we face. These can include a lack of motivation, fear of failure, performance anxiety, and the daunting task of quieting a restless mind.
Mental blocks often manifest as self-doubt, comparison, and the frustration of not meeting our own expectations or progressing as quickly as desired.
Through this series, we explore how the principles of mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion in Dru Yoga and other traditions can provide a foundation for overcoming these mental hurdles.
Emotional Barriers: Unlocking the Heart
Yoga is not just a physical or mental practice but an emotional journey. Emotional barriers such as unresolved trauma, stress, and the vulnerability that comes with deep introspection can significantly impact our practice.
I have completed Dru Yoga Teacher Training, Dru Meditation Training, Dru Post Graduate Mastery and a range of other Dru courses. I don’t remember a single one where at least one person didn’t end up sobbing their heart out, surrounded by loving, supportive friends. The release was always both welcome and transformative.
Dru Yoga, with its focus on heart-centered practices and Energy Block Release sequences, offers valuable tools for navigating these emotional landscapes, facilitating healing, and unlocking the heart’s potential for growth and transformation.
In this series, we’ll delve into the common poses and the myriad ways they challenge us, while also casting a light on the solutions and encouragement that lie within the practice of Dru Yoga, in which I received the bulk of my training. Dru Yoga, with its approachable, flowing nature, offers a unique perspective on how to tackle these common barriers.
The Essence of Dru Yoga
Dru Yoga is characterized by its soft, yet potent, sequences known as Energy Block Release sequences, which aim to remove physical and mental blockages.
Through gentle movements and a focus on the spinal wave – a motion that promotes flexibility and vitality in the spine – Dru Yoga ensures a holistic approach to well-being.
Terminology to Know
- Energy Block Release Sequences: These are carefully designed movements aimed at releasing tension and blockages from the body and mind.
- Spinal Wave: A key element in Dru Yoga, this refers to a flowing movement that encourages spinal health and energy flow.
The Power of Modification
One of the standout features of Dru Yoga is its inclusivity. Recognizing that each body is unique, Dru emphasizes modifications and alternative ways into poses. This approach ensures that yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point. Whether it’s using props or adjusting the extent of a stretch, there’s always a way to make a pose work for you.
Embracing Gentle Movement and Release
As we embark on this series, it’s important to remember that Dru’s focus on gentle movement and release is particularly adept at addressing mental and physical blockages. It’s an invitation to move away from self-judgment and towards self-exploration and healing.
Yoga, especially Dru Yoga, is not a competition nor a showcase of flexibility. It’s a deeply personal journey towards understanding and nurturing ourselves. As we progress through this series, we aim to shed light on how to navigate the common barriers we face and to offer solutions that empower and uplift.
A Journey of Discovery
The “What’s Stopping You” series invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery, confronting and overcoming the barriers that have hindered their yoga practice. By addressing these challenges head-on, this series aims to foster a deeper understanding of oneself, cultivate resilience, and unlock the full potential of one’s yoga practice.
As we explore the physical, mental, and emotional dimensions of these barriers, we encourage readers to share their experiences, insights, and breakthroughs. Together, we can build a supportive community where every obstacle becomes an opportunity for growth and every challenge a step towards self-realization.
Join us on this transformative journey, and let’s discover what lies beyond the barriers that have been holding us back.
So, what’s stopping you? Let’s embark on this journey together, exploring, learning, and growing in our practice. With Dru Yoga, we have the tools to navigate our barriers and to celebrate each step of our journey, no matter where we’re starting from.
You can read all about Dru here:
And get a taste of the online studio here: