21 Sep Establish a Home Yoga Practice
We live in an increasingly busy world with more distractions than ever before in history. Lucky for us, there’s yoga! Yoga provides us the tools to help us pause, connect and breathe. It helps clear and center our minds, and enhances our lives with more meaning, health and well-being.
But let’s face it. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll be able to carve out the time, and many times shell out the cash, to have a consistent yoga practice by taking group classes or private lessons alone.
This is where establishing a home yoga practice comes into play. Yoga doesn’t need to be limited to the studio! You can practice in the comfort of your own home or outdoors.
I practiced yoga for more than 10 years by only going to group classes. It wasn’t until I established a dedicated home yoga practice that I began to receive many transformational benefits from yoga. Now, thanks to my home practice, I get on my mat nearly every day of the week, even if it’s for as little as 10 minutes.
What’s great about a home yoga practice is that it’s tailored specifically to your needs. It doesn’t cost any money. You can do it whenever and wherever you’d like. And, you can wear whatever you feel like!
Want to start a home yoga practice but aren’t sure were to begin? Here are five tips to get started:
1. You only need 10 minutes! Establish a consistent yoga routine and you will receive results, even with just 10-minutes a day.
2. Start with what you know. Maybe you’re familiar with Sun Salutations; pranayama breathing techniques like ujjayi breath; or poses such as Downward-facing Dog, Warrior 1, forward folds, or legs up the wall. Following a DVD is also a great place to start.
3. Keep it simple and realistic. Work on the basics and keep coming back to your mat. By keeping your home practice consistent and simple, it will begin to blossom over time.
4. Listen to your body. Remember this is your practice and doesn’t need to look a certain way. Tune into your breath and let your body be your guide.
5. Remember why you practice yoga. What’s your intention or motivation? What are you trying to gain or let go of through yoga? Being clear on why you are a student of yoga gives your practice purpose and meaning. It’s much easier to stick with your practice if you are clear and remember why you come to your mat.
Although a regular home practice doesn’t replace working with a qualified yoga instructor that you trust, it will take your yoga experience to the next level. You’ll discover that it provides you with the freedom to explore your practice on a deeper level and ultimately enhances both your group class experience and life.