I’m done striving for a chiseled chest, amazing abs and a tight butt, thinking these will make me happy.

I can honestly say I did it just to attract someone else.  According to Yoga philosophy, that’s a form of attachment, even grasping.  Vanity to get a result.

Oh, it’s great to look one’s best, but now I’m more interested in keeping muscles and joints working functionally.

Yoga did this to me.

It helped me to recognize and release these expectations of myself that demonstrated a lack of contentment with what I already had.

If I can’t appreciate and value what I already have, am I seriously going to be able to appreciate more?

Retain the ability to do activities that are meaningful to you – rather than strive (or suffer) for some shape or weight that you believe might make you happier.

Note: not all practices are safe for everyone.  Some move too fast, some include risky postures and some sequences pay little attention to balancing the body (they’re like boot camps).

You’ll see that I utilize postures that keep the muscles or joints safe – especially if you’re practicing once or twice a week.  Once or twice a week is fine – as long as you’re feeling better as a result and not requiring a few days to recover.

Bottom line: Choose a practice that leaves you feeling better than when you started it.

Your Yoga Guy