Is your practice lacking depth?
Is Your Yoga Practice Missing Depth? Here’s How to Find It
Ever feel like your yoga practice isn’t quite hitting the mark? Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how our piecemeal approach to yoga can shortchange the immense potential of this transformative practice.
Most of us approach yoga as something we fit into our busy schedules—a group class here, another there, with whichever teacher happens to be leading. Sporadic and casual, this method often lacks the critical elements of commitment, consistency, and depth.
While group classes are a wonderful way to build community and catch glimpses of yoga’s philosophical richness, they can sometimes be treated as just another workout. The sweat, the flow, the “check it off my to-do list” mentality often overshadow yoga’s deeper purpose.
Yoga isn’t just exercise; it’s a lifestyle and worldview with the potential to transform how we relate to ourselves and the world. When approached holistically, yoga can inspire solutions to our global challenges—our environmental crises, societal divisions, and individualism. But to unlock this potential, yoga must be practiced as a complete system.
At Thrive, we strive to weave philosophy, breathwork, and mindfulness into every class. But even with our best efforts, a 60 - 90 minute class can only scratch the surface. For students who attend sporadically, these glimpses into yoga’s depth often feel disjointed. True understanding requires commitment—a regular practice that builds on itself over time.
Yoga is most transformative when approached with dedication. As Swami Satchidananda beautifully said:
“There’s no value in digging shallow wells in a hundred places. Decide on one place and dig deep. Even if you encounter a rock, use dynamite and keep going down.”
In our “quick-fix” culture, we’re tempted to scatter our energy across countless pursuits, always chasing the next new thing. But yoga asks us to stay the course—to dig deep and find fulfillment in commitment.
4 Ways to Add Depth to Your Practice
Commit to Consistency
Find a teacher who lives and shares yoga as a lifestyle. Attend their classes regularly and notice how their teachings start to resonate in your daily life. Over time, concepts will connect, and your practice will feel more cohesive and purposeful.Dive into Self-Study
Ask your teacher for book recommendations to explore yoga philosophy on your own. While some ideas may feel esoteric at first, engaging with these texts will enrich your understanding and give your practice new layers of meaning.Explore Beyond the Mat
Deepen your practice by attending workshops, teacher trainings, or specialized programs—even if you don’t plan to teach. These settings allow for focused study and exploration beyond what a regular class can offer.Work One-on-One with a Teacher
Partnering with a teacher for private sessions can provide personalized guidance and help you incorporate yoga’s teachings into your daily life in a systematic way.
The Depth is in the Dedication
Yoga is a lifelong journey, and its rewards come from staying the course. When we commit to digging deep—whether through consistent classes, self-study, or personalized guidance—we move beyond the surface. We begin to experience yoga not just as something we do, but as something we are.