Should I Be Having a “Good Time” Practicing Yoga?

During training sessions, I field a wide array of queries. “How do I breathe” (a simultaneously hilarious yet extremely profound question) is probably one of my favourites.

But today I’ll address whether we should be having fun, feeling peace, or enjoying ourselves, whenever we step on our mats.

In the age of social media and a culture of comparison, it’s easy fall into the misconception that we must at all times when practicing yoga be at peace, feel ease and contentment, and have a radiantly alive disposition and manner.

After all, we often see content expressions of lithe and agile bodies contorting their bodies like teenage gymnasts (perhaps in hipster studios renovated with sustainable furniture)… or an endless sequence of 10 second clips of people flowing effortlessly through poses.. (which showing the 10 months of practice needed to perform those 10 seconds)…

… but I digress, this is for another post ….

Back to it …

So, what if you’re not always having a “good time”?

What if, some days, your yoga practice feels more like a struggle, even a chore, or a naggy commitment that we begrudgingly endure …

Is something wrong, or is this an essential part of the journey?

Yoga, at its core, is a practice of self-awareness and deep inquiry. It’s not always about feeling true and absolute and divine-like bliss.

In fact, one of the hallmarks of a mature practice is the willingness to show up even when it’s difficult—when you’re stiff, distracted, or just not in the mood. Discipline, in this sense, is not a denial of enjoyment; it’s a deeper commitment to the process—a trust that even the tough days are shaping you.

There’s a common misconception that we should feel joyful or serene every time we step on the mat. This stems partly from the way yoga is often depicted as a panacea for stress or a mind hack to happiness.

But yoga, like any long-term discipline, has seasons. Some days might feel light and effortless; others might feel heavy, frustrating, or even tedious. That’s not a failure; that’s just a natural rhythm. And within that rhythm, you’ll often discover hidden growth.

In fact, many longer time practitioners will tell you that the most profound insights come on the days they least expected them.

When you stay with it, when we push through a difficult pose or sit with discomfort in a breathing practice, something subtle, in a deeper layer of the body and kind, shifts: We learn that we don’t need to chase happiness; you just need to stay present.

This idea is somewhat similar and aligns with the concept of svadhyaya, or self-study, one of the Niyamas, or ethical observances, in Sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Svadhyaya reminds us that the practice is a conversation with ourselves. It’s an opportunity to explore what we resist, what we avoid, and what we deeply long for. And yes, sometimes that exploration is hard, but it’s also real. It’s where transformation quietly takes root.

So kids, if you’re asking yourself, “Should I be having a good time?” Perhaps it’s time to think about how to, instead, rephrase the question which reflects a mentality more in line with what you’re seeking to achieve.

Perhaps, or maybe. Or not. Yes?

Either way, as long as you’re reflecting, really.