I had an interesting discussion with a friend and client recently about how we measure progress in yoga practice, and it really got me thinking about some interesting questions, like…how do we measure progress? Is it the same thing for everyone? Is progress even necessary? Is yoga about the results or about the practice, or can it be about both?

If I think to my own progress on my yoga journey, I can say that my goals and related progress have changed many times. After dabbling with a yoga practice for many years, usually more off than on, I eventually found a regular routine to help with a lifelong back problem. I knew if I didn’t take action to strengthen my back and the body that supported it, I would end up with a chronic condition at a relatively early age. I had tried pilates and not really got on with it very well so I turned to yoga and to a teacher who helped and inspired me (still does to this day) and progress came quickly. My back got stronger, I felt fitter, happier, probably even lost a bit of weight. I practised 3 times a week, every week. I was determined to stay on the path of physical progress I had discovered.

As I moved towards my teacher training, my progress became less about the physical (although I did spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to lift up into crow pose like it was the only thing that would set me apart from being a student to becoming a teacher), and became much more about the spiritual goals of yoga. I studied the Yamas, the Niyamas, the Yoga Sutras and immersed myself in the teachings of the great gurus. I progressed physically but my real progression was in learning and putting into practice the yogic lifestyle throughout all aspects of my life.

Now I look for the small aspects of progress in yoga class. Do I feel better today? Can I move more freely? Is my posture good? Am I mindful of my breath. Yes I would still like to pop up into crow pose whenever the mood called for it. But is it progress to wish for that or should I even be setting those kind of goals to measure myself against?

I will defer to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (written about 2000 years ago but still hugely relevant) and the subject of Abhyasa and Vairagya; practice and non-attachment.

Yoga Sutras 1.12-1.16: Practice and Non-Attachment

 Two core principles: Practice (abhyasa), and non-attachment (vairagya) are the two core principles on which the entire system of Yoga rests. It is through the cultivation of these two that the other practices evolve, by which mastery over the mind field occur, and allows the realization of the true Self.

• Abhyasa/Practice: Abhyasa means having an attitude of persistent effort to attain and maintain a state of stable tranquility. To become well established, this needs to be done for a long time, without a break. From this stance the deeper practice continues to unfold, going ever deeper towards the direct experience of the eternal core of our being. 

• Vairagya/Non-attachment: The essential companion is non-attachment, learning to let go of the many attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that are clouding the true Self.

 They work together: Practice leads you in the right direction, while non-attachment allows you to continue the inner journey without getting sidetracked into the pains and pleasures along the way.

 So in understanding that we require yoga to be a regular practice, and that through that practice we must value non-attachment to the results, then we can consider progress to be a transient thing. Something that has either no importance (and is certainly not the goal of yoga) or is something that changes over time and can therefore be difficult to measure.

Of course you may be reading this thinking “well I practice yoga to become more flexible, strengthen my arms, correct my posture, avoid that knee surgery the doctor keeps talking about, do the splits, fly into handstand etc etc”. And you measure your progress against those goals. But when we lose attachment to the goal and practice regularly then progress will happen regardless of whether it is measured.

And maybe progress means you can now turn round to get your handbag off the back seat of the car without locking out your back. Or maybe you can now touch your toes. Or you just enjoy the class and the people you share it with, and you know that its better to keep moving than not. And some days we don’t feel like we are making progress but I can guarantee your teacher will have noticed it on your behalf.

Whatever the goal, whatever the progress, make it personal, don’t attach yourself to it too rigidly and notice what happens when you let go of expectation. Something wonderful may happen. That’s real progress.