Tag: yogaRugby

In our current yoga series in Rugby, we are exploring ‘Rituals.’ Do you know what distinguishes a routine from a ritual?

At first glance, routines and rituals might look similar – they both involve repeated actions, often at a set time. But the intention behind them is where the magic lies. A routine is practical. It’s something you do to get things done, like making your morning tea, checking emails, or stretching before work. It helps structure your day and keeps life moving.

A ritual, on the other hand, carries meaning. It transforms the mundane into something purposeful, connecting you to yourself, your values, or even the present moment. A ritual isn’t just about completion; it’s about intention.

In the world of sport, rituals play a fascinating role. Take Rafael Nadal – before every serve, he bounces the ball a precise number of times in a particular way. He adjusts the strings on his racket at a particular point in the class and he has a little sequence of rituals with his water bottle. Serena Williams, too, has her own pre-match routine with her trainers where the first one goes on the left, then the right, then she does something specific with her laces – these go beyond mere preparation, helping her centre her focus and energy. These aren’t just habits; they are rituals that bring intention and calm, even in the heat of competition.

In our own lives, we might borrow from this idea by finding small, meaningful actions that signal the start of something important – be it a yoga practice, a mindful cup of tea, or a moment of gratitude in the morning. A routine can keep us organised, but a ritual can nourish the soul.

This week, try noticing which of your daily actions are purely functional routines and which could become small rituals. What could you do to make the ordinary feel a little more intentional?

Exploring rituals in yoga

Photo credit 📸: crystalweed thank you.

Our latest yoga series is called Heart Work. Over four weeks, we’re focusing on a trio of backbends including Bow, Camel, and either Bridge or Wheel — giving ourselves time to build strength, mobility and confidence.

Backbends can feel uplifting and energising, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. Some days they feel open and spacious, other days a bit awkward or emotional. That’s all part of the process. These poses ask quite a lot — not just from the body, but in how we respond to what comes up.

To support this, we’re drawing on a helpful idea from the Yoga Sutras. In Sutra 1.33, we’re encouraged to practise four attitudes to help calm the mind and create more ease in ourselves:

“By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and equanimity toward the unkind, the mind retains its undisturbed calm.”
(Yoga Sutra 1.33, translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda)

Putting this another way:
– Joy in the success of others
– Friendliness towards those who are happy
– Compassion for those who are struggling
– Equanimity towards those who challenge us

These might sound simple, but they’re often far from easy. Feeling genuinely happy for someone else’s success, or staying balanced when someone tests your patience — these are big asks on a tough day. But this is why it’s called a practice, not a perfect. We’re learning how to soften, how to respond rather than react, how to stay steady even when things get stirred up — both on and off the mat.

Seated Cow

Camel

Bridge

Wild thing

Wheel

No Caption

Backbends have a way of bringing things to the surface. They ask us to lift, to open, and to trust. That might feel exhilarating. It might feel vulnerable. It might feel like both, all at once.

So whether you’re exploring backbends in class or at home, the invitation is the same: take your time, stay connected to your breath, and notice how you respond. You don’t need to force anything. Let the pose meet you where you are.

Heart Work is about creating space — in the body, in the mind, and in the way we approach ourselves and others.