From the Mud to the Mat: Teachings from Theo - Following Through
Explore how the art of following through transforms your mind, body, and spirit. This reflection weaves Ayurveda, yoga philosophy, and lessons from Theo to show how keeping promises to yourself builds trust, balance, and inner peace.
There’s this thing that happens when I say I’m going to do something (and something simple like drink my lemon water, go for a quick walk, or take five deep breaths before opening my laptop), and then I don’t. It’s small, right? …but afterward, I feel a sinking, uneasy feeling like I just broke a little promise to myself…because I did.
It’s wild how something so simple can shift my whole energy. Chapter 6, Verse 6 in Bhagavad Gita says, “The mind is the best friend of the one who has conquered it, but the worst enemy of the one who has failed to do so.”
When I don’t follow through, my mind uses it as evidence that I’m not as disciplined or grounded as I thought I was. It starts whispering things like, “See? You never stick with things.”
But when I do what I said I’d do, when I follow throughm, my mind becomes an ally. That feeling of integrity and of keeping my word to myself creates an energy that’s steady and clear.
Theo and the Power of Consistency
Now, I’m not a dog psychologist, but I’ve noticed something fascinating about Theo when I say something and don’t follow through. I notice that he learns over and over again that he can just blow me off or do whatever he thinks is more fun (I guess that’s nit actually that fascinating…) It sometimes seems like he actually ends up more easeful the more I follow through on something and doesn’t have to constantly scan for what he thinks he needs to do.
It’s a reflection of how this human mind works too. It’s like the moment we say, “I’ll meditate in the morning,” or “I’ll start that project,” and then skip it, the subconscious takes note. The mind starts to believe: “She doesn’t really mean what she says.” Each time we follow through, even in small ways, we rebuild trust within ourselves.
Yoga Sutras on the Mind
There is a Yoga Sutra, “Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tan nirodhah” (1.12) T
he fluctuations of the mind are stilled through consistent practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya).
Abhyasa isn’t about perfection or force; it’s about steady effort, done sincerely, over time. Following through with the smallest daily act like drinking that warm water, sitting for two minutes in silence, or walking with awareness, anchors the mind in stability. Over time, that steadiness becomes who we are.
Ayurveda and yoga both remind us that it’s not the size of the action that matters, but the consistency. It’s the showing up and the follow-through.
When the Mind Tests You
Ever notice how the mind loves to bargain? “I’ll do it later,” or “I’ll just skip today.” And maybe you do. But later, that quiet guilt creeps in. When you follow through, you shift toward a state of calm clarity and your mind stops fighting itself. Energy that once went into guilt or self-criticism now goes toward creativity, healing, and joy.
Ayurveda and the Integrity of Practice
Ayurveda teaches that true health isn’t just about the body. Health is about being established in the self and its alignment. Alignment comes from integrity, so following through is how you can align with your own truth. It’s how you can bridge what you say you’ll do with what you actually do. That’s when healing begins.
In Sanskrit, the word niyama (from yoga’s eight limbs) means “positive observance.” The niyamas are all about commitment, devotion, and keeping promises to the self. Tapas, the fire of discipline, is one of those niyamas. It’s the inner heat that transforms us. Following through is how we feed that fire.
When I Don’t Follow Through
When I say I’m going to do something and don’t, it’s not just about that one thing. It’s about how I start to believe I’m someone who doesn’t follow through. And if I believe that, it becomes my reality. The mind is powerful and it’s always collecting data from our actions to create our self-image. If we tell it, “I finish what I start,” and prove it, even through something small, like taking a slow, mindful sip of tea, it starts believing that too.
Theo’s a constant reminder of this. He doesn’t respond to words; he responds to energy. If I follow through on what I say, I really think he feels safe - and that safety, that trust, is everything to me and to him.
The same goes for us - When we follow through, we create inner safety. We teach the mind that it can trust us. That we mean what we say.
Follow-Through as Freedom
Bhagavad Gita reminds us that freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever we feel like; it comes from mastering the mind. Following through, especially on the things that seem small, is a form of liberation. It’s saying, “I’m no longer at the mercy of my moods or distractions.”
Yoga isn’t about the pose, and Ayurveda isn’t just about what we eat. They’re about presence, consistency, and integrity. When I follow through on what I say I’ll do, I’m practicing yoga in its truest form.
Deepen Your Practice with Our Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training
If this resonates with you, come explore these teachings deeper in our Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training. You’ll study the art of rhythm and follow-through, not as strict routines, but as sacred containers for freedom. Together, we’ll explore how yoga and Ayurveda help you live with integrity, regulate your energy, and follow through on what truly matters.
You’ll discover how the mind becomes your ally through consistency, how routine refines the spirit, and how the simplest promises - to yourself, your practice, or even your morning tea- can be acts of devotion.
A Few Gentle Reminders from Theo:
A Few Gentle Reminders from Theo:
🐾 Follow-Through Builds Trust
Theo doesn’t need words—he feels energy. When I do what I say, he feels safe. When I don’t, he learns that my words don’t mean much. The mind works the same way. Keep your word, and it will follow you anywhere.
🐾 Small Promises, Big Power
Follow-through doesn’t mean perfection. It means doing something. Sip the lemon water. Step outside. Take a breath. Every time you do, you strengthen your inner fire (tapas).
🐾 The Mind Mirrors Action
The Bhagavad Gita reminds us: the mind is our best friend when trained, and our worst enemy when left untrained. Each act of follow-through is a quiet training session for peace.
🐾 Routine is Rhythm, Not Restriction
Ayurveda teaches that rhythm creates stability. Following through keeps you in that rhythm. It’s how the body, mind, and spirit dance in harmony.
🐾 Integrity is Love in Motion
Following through is how we love ourselves in real time. It’s the way we prove to our hearts that we’re trustworthy, capable, and connected.
