I have a bunch of things to write, take care of, do, tie up, finish, etc. but I’m heading for my mat. I’m making the choice to practice instead. I don’t really feel like practicing. I feel like continuing to forge down the never-ending and seductive path of “TO DO”–continuing to knock one thing after another off the list.
Writing and the energy I put into Prana Power Yoga is addictive in that way for me—in a good way. I love to write and I love to spread the light of Prana Power Yoga, and so anything that lives in those domains feel good and I find myself lost in the task or writing at hand, time flowing by effortlessly and quickly. Someone once said “when what you’re doing feels like playing, you’ve found dharma/your life’s work.”
But years ago I learned about discipline and now is when it comes in handy. At age 12 my family and I drove from my hometown in Lake Bluff, Illinois to Calabasas, California, where we would reside for a decade. But I didn’t unpack for long—a few months later I boarded a plane for Sarasota Florida to live with Nick Bolletieri, tennis coach extraordinaire, to train to turn pro.
Nick had asked my brother and me to live with him in Florida to train to go Pro when he saw us play tennis at his Summer Camp in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. I accepted with gratitude, as did my brother–four years my senior. But once I had gotten to Florida and settled in to Nick’s home on Longboat Key, my parents informed me that my brother would not be coming after all—I was there solo.
I rolled with it and began an interesting and intense journey of challenge, growth, and discipline.
Each day played out like this: wake up, make your own breakfast, drive to school, study from 8-12, drive to the courts (eating your lunch on the way), practice from 1-5, calisthenics and running on the beach till 6, dinner, homework, make your lunch for the next day, do your chores (we cleaned Nick’s shower with a toothbrush and did his laundry), and go to bed. Next day: do it all over again. Weekends? Tournaments. No TV. No Radio. No junk food. No mall. No movies. No phone calls to friends. No social life.
We ate, drank, and lived tennis 24-7, 7 days a week.
To be honest, I kinda liked it. There was intensity and joy in giving myself wholeheartedly to something, and I connected with that.
But what was missing was balance.
And even at that young age, I sensed this. I told myself that I would commit to living at Nick’s for one full school year, and then return home to find more balance in my life.
Nick had a 30th reunion party in October and I was excited to go since I have both fond memories of those times and much gratitude for the discipline and other life lessons I learned while under Nick’s tutelage.
Because discipline was ingrained in me at such a young age, I am able to practice yoga every single day—even on the days I give birth to my children—and therefore, feel so much better and have good energy all day long. A regular yoga practice delivers these gifts. And so ironically, the discipline that I learned at Nick’s in a an un-balanced atmosphere has enabled me to maintain balance in my life daily now—because of my yoga practice.
Other things that are non-negotiable for me and for which I use discipline: time with my children; drinking green juice; meditating; eating high vibration, raw, vegan food; and sleeping. Well, sometimes the sleep falls by the wayside (when my toddler is teething or we’re doing a big event for Prana, etc.) but for the most part, I’m on it.
Now don’t go thinking “Well I didn’t go to Nick Bolletieri’s when I was young and learn how to be disciplined, and so forget it.” All it is, is practice. I was fortunate enough to practice it—a lot—at an early age. But if you haven’t found discipline in your life yet, no worries!! Begin now. It is never too late to begin—again. Practice, practice, practice and it’ll be yours. As will balance, joy, and inner peace.
But be mindful as to how this newly-found or rediscovered discipline plays out in your life. As someone (anonymous) once said: “By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be boss and work 12 hours a day.”
And as David Campbell said: “Discipline is remembering what you want.”
Now off to my mat, because there has never once been a time when I didn’t feel better after my practice. So having the discipline to get on the mat when my mind wants otherwise is always the right thing to do for me—things will flow better, easier, and more joyfully all day and night long.
Have you practiced today?
