Consistent Yoga Practice Will Change Your Life

by Laurie LeCompte

I have not known many people who are as dedicated to their health and self betterment as Russell Smith. Russell started working with me through private sessions in early 2017. He decided to practice in the one-on-one setting because of his specific goals and challenges; he has a congenital heart defect and has undergone two open heart surgeries, the most recent of which was in 2014. 

In the beginning, his yoga goal was simple: he basically wanted to see if he could do it. 

“My goals in the beginning were simply to try out a consistent yoga practice and see if I could improve some of my body’s functionality a little bit. I had very few ambitions. Slight increases mean a great deal to my health and mental well-being. If I can improve my posture slightly — or even prevent its deterioration — that is a big win for my breathing capacity and lung and heart functioning. So my goal really was simply to stick with it week after week, month after month. Starting out, I wasn’t completely sure I could even do that.”

Despite the difficulties practicing with a congenital heart defect poses, Russell has made more progress than he ever imagined possible. 

“I do far more today in an hour session than I did in 2017. Of course, your core matters so much to health, flexibility, posture and strength. When I started, I had hardly any core strength. Laurie worked my core continually and smartly in our early work together. She built me up brick by brick. Today, it seems to me like half our session focuses on core work! The highlight for me was performing a 5-minute plank! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that was possible!”

For perspective, Russell and I started out doing mostly chair yoga with some standing postures, and he can now hold a plank longer than most people! This massive improvement is as much of a testament to his dedication and consistency, as it is to his trust that starting small and smart can lead to incredible long-term progress.

Over the years I have witnessed Russell undertake some demanding fitness-related hobbies with the same dedication he shows in his yoga practice. He consistently does strength training and rucking and has even completed numerous rucking challenges and competitions.

“My yoga practice has served as a springboard to a more physically active life. When I started, I had done little physical exercise since before my surgery. About 18 months after starting yoga, Laurie introduced me to her strength trainer, with whom I still train today. A couple years after that, I began rucking, which involves putting a weight in a backpack, putting the backpack on, and going for a long walk. I have walked nearly 15 miles in 5 hours carrying 10 pounds — a feat I never would have believed possible a few years ago.”

Both his progress in his yoga practice and the fact that yoga has helped him improve in his other wellness activities have affected his mindset positively. 

“My yoga training with Laurie has truly inspired me not to set artificially low expectations on my physical abilities.”

Russell knows his practice is never over, that there are always ways to improve. He is committed even when progress is slow or non-linear. Understanding that there will be setbacks or periods without drastic improvement can be hard for people to cope with on their self-improvement journeys. However, Russell keeps his sight on long-term improvements and doesn’t let the little setbacks hinder his overall progress. 

““My goals are pretty much still the same, although I no longer assume I cannot attain greater accomplishments. I aim to improve little by little, week by week, month by month, especially in my flexibility, posture and balance, and strength.””

Consistent yoga practice is one of the best long-term gifts you can give yourself, and, when approached with patience, both your physical and mental wellbeing will improve. Russell embodies this knowledge and I can’t wait to see what he decides to do next!

Learn more about our private sessions here.