I’ve always enjoyed a well-rounded yoga practice that not only promotes flexibility, but also builds stamina. Physical endurance diminishes with age. The problem is not the age, though, but the lack of varied interval-based workouts. I personally discovered that strenuous power yoga doesn’t always result in greater physical tenacity. It is the right balance between strength and flexibility, between willfulness and tenderness that harnesses the oomph to withstand any challenge, and learn from it.

I kept on changing my practice to accommodate my inner need for enhanced tenacity. From a class perspective, I boldly altered the flow. I refashioned the standard Vinyasa class into an interval-driven sequence that modulated between high intensity levels and moments of rest. I also incorporated more resistance based stretching, so the joints were more supported through the poses, and the muscles more elongated – to promote deeper myofasical release.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that empowering poses were not the only game changers. They had to be justified by more dynamic pulsing and rocking in and out of each pose. The pace always had to be moderate and not too accelerated, and the transitions more fluid than static.

This new concept of interval Vinyasa struck the right balance between physical endurance and mental determination. I felt stronger, not only in the muscles, but in my cells. By skeletal structure firmed up. My bone density increased. I felt in charge of my breath, able to navigate the flow and fully centered.

Stamina is the fruit of nailing the center and owning your movements, your thoughts, and your practice. It brings inner focus and mental clarity and fosters courage and the ability to go for things unencumbered by fears or hesitations. In fact, stamina breeds on a strong will, a glowing and flexible body and on a mind that is resolute, but not fixated on just one single goal. Attention brings focus. A clear focus fuels our inner drive to accomplish things with grace and grit. Grit is the fruit of landing in our power. Being empowered makes us decisive to pursue an inner course of action without drifting away from what’s pertinent.

Since I tailored my practice to build more stamina, I have gotten more focused and disciplined. I am now more curious to pursue an alternate routine and find out new things about my self and my habits.  My work performance has doubled. If needs be, I can burn the midnight oil without getting tired and I am more alert and in synch with my desires. It is fascinating how such a little tweak in the sequence cultivates the right balance between effort and ease.

Endurance classes should not be hard and impossible to sustain. They shouldn’t be too rigorous and muscled, either. They should be smart, engaging, and fun. Then you get strong, centered and able to build your reality the way you want.

You want an engaging and effective stamina routine. Endurable will do the job!

Yoga Routine for Stamina: Endurable (open level)

This yoga routine combines empowering and strength-building poses to promote physical stamina and mental focus. The resistance-based stretching builds a strong center and amps up endurance levels for optimal performance.