Lessons from yoga: the power of No

In my yoga class this morning, our guide commended us on our practice observing that we were all modifying and prioritizing our bodies where we needed to. This, she said, was the sign of advanced practitioners. The class was a challenging one, I had to modify several times. Essentially saying “No” to pushing my body too far in certain poses. The studio offers all of us a safe place to say “No” to certain directions when our bodies are telling us not to push. Maybe somedays we do, maybe somedays we don’t. Maybe we push for some poses; maybe we ease off on others. The option of choosing health, of non-harming, of ahimsa, means we are saying “No” to injury and possibly harming ourselves. We approach our practice with self-love.

I am currently trying to say “No” in several work situations. Unfortunately, many job expectations are harming to our mental and emotional health. For me, I struggle deeply with my GAD. Still, on most days, I push myself and find in many cases that all was eventually OK. However, I currently find myself trying to train a difficult and incompetent individual. I have spoken at length about this with my supervisor, who is unsupportive. Meanwhile, my anxiety climbs higher each day. I don’t feel heard or understood. And on top of this there is a very ill-conceived on-call rotation plan which has suddenly been introduced into our lives by the same supervisor.

But I am saying “No” in two ways:

1. First I am questioning the on-call plan with HR
2. I am job searching

While these are long processes of saying “No”, they are still worth pursuing if there will be less anxiety and depression in the long run. Of course, to me – an introvert – these paths in and of themselves are very difficult but I need to minimize the harming expectations and environment of my work life.

The reminder and encouragement to say “No” to injury and self-harm in this morning’s class was definitely timely and well received by me.
Namaste.