How Can We Avoid Resistance?

Author: Michelle Bartolo

Michelle Bartolo is a Yoga Guide based in Gozo. Blending the styles of Vinyasa & Kundalini with Pranayama Practices, Mindful Meditation and Quantum Physics, she offers holistic classes, private sessions, retreats and training using yoga tools to heal the emotional, mental and physical bodies.

Follow us on a journey of exploration into avoidance and resistance and learn these simple home practices to aid expansion from Michelle Bartolo.

There’s nothing like some time away to inject some inspiration through the senses. To step out of daily life and see through a wider lens.  It is a different experience travelling in these times with all these restrictions. Filling out passenger locator forms, showing vaccine certifications, and waiting in long queues you can feel resistance and fear on the rise as many of us resist change.  Sometimes we get frustrated if things don’t stay the same, yet at that point, is exactly where we get stuck on a personal and global level.  

Have you ever noticed how we resist and avoid all sorts of feelings, thoughts, actions & situations? I feel it in myself, it feels like a shield beams upwards and my insides are shrieking a  solid ‘No Way!’  

In the practice of Yoga we are taught to soften the areas we resist. We wholeheartedly dive into our resistance and that leads us into growth and expansion. We become creators, not just a piece of creation. 

what is avoidance and/or resistance behaviour?  

Avoidance behaviours are any actions a person takes to escape from difficult thoughts and feelings. These behaviours can occur in many different ways and may include actions that a person does or does not do.  

What do the words ‘resist and ‘avoid’ bring up in your body?  If we continue to resist or avoid the same things year after year we, unfortunately, continue to live the same life. Year after year.

Growth doesn’t happen there. We witness others moving upwards and onwards and we feel like we’re living in this spiral with no way out.  

This year I made a decision to use ‘Yes’ more than ‘No’.

And I am happy to say, that it made a huge difference. It has made me aware of what I was resisting and helped me explore why. I learned a deeper insight into my own behaviours that helped me to release a hardy amount of heavy baggage.  More doors began to open wide,  more opportunities were being offered and I felt more inspired as my energy opened and I felt willing and able for it. 

Since making this decision, things that I have been avoiding have crept up on me. (what we resist persists as the cliche goes). I faced challenges I’ve avoided for years and it made me feel great!

In exchange for my self-affirmations, my energy has expanded and I feel lighter. My door is open which makes it easier for everything to move in.  from an energetic point of view, the ‘yes path’ is open and the ‘no path’ is not. I was comfortable with the way things were, yet I wasn’t being challenged enough. There was idleness that craved spark.  

Every now and again, we need to get out of our comfort zones. It’s important to feel face fears and challenge all aspects of our lives, to avoid the feelings of beint stuck, rigid, or boxed in.  We often purposely do things we are uncomfortable with to challenge ourselves. To grow ourselves. To be living this gift of life wholeheartedly with open arms.  

‘Yes’ Man!

This ‘Yes’ process for me, has paved the way for opportunity. Plus, I  feel more open, expanded, and free.  Have you seen the film ‘Yes Man‘, with Jim Carrey? If you have, you will know his character’s life transformed in a truly marvelous way, although I am not advocating we become like him! Check out the clip below – It’s hilarious!

Practices To Try At Home

Write your answers to these questions of inquiry

• What do you resist and/or avoid?  
• How does it feel to dive into what you resist and/or avoid?  
• What small steps can you take to soften your resistance and follow that as your point of growth?  
• What would someone who loved themselves do?

Join Michelle for a practice of expansion

Here’s a four-minute video practice to expand yourself. I’d love to hear your reflections if you’re willing to share or just use these inquiries as a journal entry.  

Thanks for your readership!  

Michelle Bartolo's 2021 Offerings

1.) Yoga Teacher Training
Commencing 20th October 2021 Michelle is running a 200hr KriyaAsana Teacher Training in Gozo which is also available live online via Zoom. 

2.) Weekly Classes In Gozo
Two classes a week on Mondays & Wednesdays from 18.30 - 20.00 in Gharb, Gozo.

3.) Weekly Classes On Zoom
For the global community, Michelle offers a live class on Zoom every Tuesday from 18.30 - 19.45 (CET).

For more information and to book: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Email