Endurance: the quiet strength in practice and life

In yoga, we often celebrate flexibility, strength, or balance - but quietly holding all of these is endurance: the capacity to stay, to breathe, and to be present through discomfort, challenge, or uncertainty. It’s our theme for August, and as always is important both on and off our mats.

Asana should be steady and comfortable

Endurance is not about pushing through pain or forcing ourselves into postures beyond our personal limits. Rather, it’s the ability to stay with the moment - especially when it’s difficult. As Patanjali reminds us in the Yoga Sutras, “Sthira sukham asanam” (2.46): asana should be steady and comfortable. This teaching invites us to find the balance between effort and ease, a perfect metaphor for endurance itself.

Slow-twitch muscles

From a Western anatomical perspective, endurance relates to the function of slow-twitch muscle fibres - the ones responsible for sustained activity over time. These fibres are what hold us in a five-minute plank or carry us through a long warrior sequence. They rely on consistent oxygen flow, which is why breath control (pranayama) is so essential for building both muscular and mental stamina.

Prana and the nadis

Eastern anatomy speaks of prana (our vital life force) and the nadis (the energetic pathways through which it flows). When we cultivate endurance through a steady yoga practice, we’re also training the nervous system to remain calm and resilient, allowing prana to move freely. In this sense, endurance becomes not just a physical attribute, but a spiritual one - an inner steadiness that supports us on and off the mat.

Become curious about discomfort

In our daily yoga practice, explore this month’s theme by slowing down. Hold poses for longer. Notice the waves of sensation, breath and thought that arise. Resist the urge to escape discomfort and instead become curious about it. This is where the work begins - not in how long we can stay, but in how we stay.

Off the mat, endurance is equally vital. Whether it’s navigating a stressful job, a relationship challenge or personal growth, resilience is built through presence and self-compassion. Yoga teaches us that enduring isn’t about gritting our teeth - it’s about softening into the moment, trusting the breath, and meeting life as it is.

As we continue to explore  this in class let endurance become your quiet teacher - firm, steady, and infinitely patient.

How has your endurance helped you with life’s challenges?