New Year, New You Bo**ocks
New Year, New You Bo**ocks: Embracing authentic transformation through yoga
As the new year approaches, the familiar twaddle of "New Year, New You" begins to echo across social media, fitness studios, and wellness communities. While the intention behind setting new goals and resolutions is admirable, the idea of a complete overhaul of oneself with the flip of a calendar page may be more detrimental than beneficial. For yoga teachers, we have an opportunity to guide students away from the unrealistic expectations tied to this clichéd phrase and encourage a more mindful, sustainable approach to personal growth.
Yoga philosophy teaches us that the path to self-realisation is a lifelong journey, not a destination to be reached within the confines of a single year. Suggesting that an entirely new version of ourselves can emerge overnight oversimplifies the profound and transformative nature of yoga.
And, as we know, yoga is a balance of many things; the balance of trying new things with sticking with the old, the balance of working hard with rest, and the balance of crafting self-improvement with self-acceptance. Oh boy.
Whilst setting goals for self-improvement is commendable, the emphasis should be on realistic and sustainable goals. The New Year, New You period is an opportunity to encourage your yogis to set intentions that align with their values, allowing for incremental progress and long-term gains rather than radical transformation.
So, as yoga teachers; let’s encourage students to reflect on the past year with gratitude and mindfulness. Instead of focusing on what needs to change, guide them to acknowledge their achievements, no matter how small, and express gratitude for the lessons learned, and then (and only then), from that place of kindness and gratitude, set intentions for 2024.
Doesn’t that sound lovely?!
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