The world as we know it now has become a very different place. The familiarity of routine has been turned upside down and our favourite hot and non heated yoga studios are not able to open as they normally would. However, all is not bad – many people have now begun building their home practice. They’ve created some space to roll out their mat and let themselves be guided from within.
If the thought of starting though is still a little overwhelming, we’re here to help.
We’ve got 10 ways to help you feel more in tune and comfortable with building your home practice…….and you never know – if you’re someone that has had a home practice for a while there might still be a little nugget of info in here to bring into your yoga.
Enjoy xx
1. BREATHE
Make your breath your top priority for your practice. Start to notice if there are postures where you are holding your breath, if so don’t go as deep, use props or use a modified version of the pose.
2. TIME – LET YOURSELF BE A BEGINNER AGAIN
It is tempting to want to “nail a pose” or can feel frustrating at first when you don’t have the class energy, support from your teacher, mirrors for alignment or maybe even the added heat to warm up your muscles. But the beauty of your practice is when it is truly yours and you are deeply connected with how your body feels each time you come to your mat.
3. FLEXIBILITY ISN’T EVERYTHING
Yoga is for everyone and a lot of your practice is about building stability, self awareness and inviting inquiry about your true nature. If gives you the opportunity to find focus and concentration from within whilst maybe developing a safe balance of strength and flexibility.
4. DON’T PUSH THROUGH PAIN
Some postures may give you a sense of discomfort if you are new to them or are incorporating them more frequently into your routine, but pain is a big feedback message to listen to – it may be that yoga is for everyone, but not every posture is for everyone.
5. BUILD A ROUTINE
Like anything, commitment to your yoga will help you receive the benefits of your practice both physically and off your mat. Try carving out some time each day to roll out your mat – even if is only for 10 minutes.
6. BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION
Build from the ground up, find awareness in your feet, strength in your legs, stability in your hips, support in your torso, space in your shoulders and length in your neck. Avoid hyper – extension or resting unsupported weight into your joints.
7. ENGAGE YOUR CORE
You feel more empowered, stable and strong when you move from your core. Initiate your movement from here, even if you move slower.
8. MINDSET
Embrace where you are today when you come to your mat. Re-word your mind chatter, trust and believe in yourself and your practice. It is your space for observation and inquiry – not judgement.
9. STAY FOR SAVASANA
Even if you can only give yourself a few minutes to completely relax and let go, your mind and body will be completely grateful. It’s where the magic happens.
10. ASK QUESTIONS
Your teachers love questions, it is a chance for them to learn something new or approach a topic from a different perspective. Never feel you can’t ask about your yoga.
