Coaching as a Yoga Practice

I just spent three days at a CTI training intensive. I feel centered and energized, and I feel a little sore, too. It occurred to me yesterday that coaching is like a yoga practice for the soul. Coaching asks us to stretch ourselves – to envision possibility, contemplate new perspectives and take risks. It requires presence and awareness.

When I neglect my yoga practice, I tighten up, and I have trouble noticing the present moment. Away from self-exploration and coaching, I tighten up. I forget to be present in the moment. I forget to hold on to awareness, and I begin to live from a place of constricted consciousness. Old and familiar habits of mind come back quickly- jumping to judgment, defensiveness, impatience.

With yoga, I…                                  

• stretch my body                       
• listen to my body          
• explore sensations
• set an intention for my practice
• hold myself with gentleness   
• follow the pace I need

With coaching, I…

• stretch my awareness
• listen to my heart
• explore sensations and emotions  
  
• set an intention for my practice
• hold myself with gentleness
• follow the pace I need

Yoga…

• requires presence   
  
• helps me become aware of where I am holding tension
                  
• promotes healthy lifestyle choices 
  

• fosters a sense of wellness, balance and confidence

Coaching…

• requires presence
• helps me become aware of how I am holding on to old patterns and limiting beliefs
• promotes healthy relationships and lifestyle choices

• fosters a sense of wellness, balance and confidence

Coaching as a yoga practice means: I tune into my body and my heart, and cultivate a centered internal place of ease and flexibility. I am recalled to the present moment and invite self-awareness into my daily living. Like yoga, coaching is a life-affirming and heart-opening exercise. It requires diligence and commitment, but whenever I am immersed in my practice, I wonder why I ever would choose to live without it.