Studios have closed and group classes are cancelled. Now is the time to develop your home yoga practice. Don’t stop practicing yoga because life has thrown us a curve ball. Now more than ever we need the benefits of yoga. Follow these basic steps to set yourself up for success.
1. WHY– Answer this question with something positive. And write it down. This will help motivate you on the days you don’t want to practice. Do you want to improve your physical health? Maybe you need a daily sense of peace and calm. Or is it a way to practice self care in the midst of a difficult time?
2. WHERE– Once you know why you want to develop a home practice, next, decide where you will practice. Don’t allow your space to be an excuse for not following through. Whether you roll your mat out on the kitchen floor or choose to practice in your bed….it doesn’t matter. Just define the space you will use. If you are lucky enough to have a spare corner or room, great. Light a candle, use a houseplant, decorate and make it personal and meditative. But if your space is full and you share with others, no matter, simply decide where you can practice each day and commit to it.
3. WHEN– Some of us are more schedule oriented than others. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. But let’s all acknowledge that we are more likely to follow through with a home yoga practice if we commit to a certain time each day. This is why we join studios and community classes. The accountability helps get us to our mats. Whether it’s morning, mid-day or evening, pick a time and get going.
4. HOW– If you’ve been practicing yoga for some time and/or have a bit of initiative you might feel comfortable coming up with your own sequences. Great, get moving. Most of us would prefer some guidance and lucky for us in this age of technology, there are many resources readily accessible to us. Whether it’s DVDs or YouTube videos, Apps or online studio classes, try different things until you find something you like. If you’d like specific suggestions, please email me and I’d be happy to point you to some of my favorites.
5. GET STARTED– Once you’ve taken the time to answer the Why, Where, When and How, it’s time to get going. Share your plan with a friend or family member, accountability really does help us all. And set an alarm, and make it recurring for each day.
I am here to support your journey. If you have any questions regarding a home yoga practice or want suggestions or tips along the way, please reach out.
