date a yogi

Staying Flexible – How to Date a Yogi

Staying Flexible – How to Date a Yogi

 

Maybe it’s the tight pants, the flexibility, or the stereotype of being enlightened but I like yogi women. Most if not all I’ve ran into were always positive and would emphasize improvement and awareness of energy as their mantra. As a man who believes in setting milestones, taking initiative, and what I call “compounding self-investment” it seems like a match made in agnostic heaven. Well believe or not dating Ms. Spiritual Lululemons does have a dark side that can make dating a living hell.

Nomadic Spirit:

First off the forever wanderer can be both a gift and a curse. The yogi enjoys what seems like a never ending journey to find themselves, which in turn means they can get lost in a relationship. For example, if you lived under one roof while the non-yogi is focusing on balancing debt and meeting deadlines the yogi instead advocates to meditate and that the energy of the world will magically take care of your $240 electricity bill. That expensive bill can lead to two mindsets – give in to their request for additional candles to meditate in the dark, thus saving electricity, or realize that a compromise must be made to go from the clouds of Nirvana to the real world of responsibility.

No sweat..no commitment?:

While on the topic of responsibility, let’s take a look at vairagya, not to be confused for a performance pill, but instead defined as a belief in true non-attachment. This again has its merits when it comes to dating someone who doesn’t sweat the small stuff, but what if they don’t sweat anything other than their mat? This non-attachment applies to possessions, people, positions, and ideas so how will first date conversations go? Now let’s take a pause to realize that nothing needs to be mutually exclusive, a decisive yogi with beliefs does exist, but tread lightly and make sure this person is truly compatible with you – and not just super chill.

 

American vs. Indian yoga:

What makes it more interesting is that India, the heartland of yoga and not vain Instagram photos, understood the importance of yoga as an important tool to overthrow British rule. This is actually more pronounced by the Buddhist Dalits, another class of Untouchables, who tend to see enlightenment as requiring social and economic democracy. In essence the balance of activism, be it conservative or liberal leaning, and spiritual awareness do have a place in dating an American yogi. Ironically, the American idea of yoga enlightenment is more centered on students driving SUV’s to yoga class than utilizing yoga as a catalyst for democratic problem solving.

 

How to Handle:

Do not be confused by assuming I’m judging or stereotyping eligible yogis as commitment phobic nomads that one second are texting you and the next second you’ve been ghosted for a three month backpack expedition to Peru. People come in all shapes and sizes and it’s important to note that consideration and courtesy should apply whether you’re dating the hardcore yogi or the yogi seeking to find a quality partner. For the yogi seeking a partner that complements them, make sure clear communication and expectation is a reality. Deep down you know you don’t want to give up your hour of meditation nor will you cancel the vinyasa seminar, dating that leads to a relationship requires compromise.

 

What to Keep in Mind:

If you’re interested in dating a yogi make sure you are aware that energy projection and stress is an important part of the equation. Do not let resentment or arguments go unsettled, work through them to rebalance the vibe.

Whether you’re fully aware of the eight points of Chakra or not make sure you practice flexibility when it comes to dating – both figuratively and literally.