Photo: Ronja Engelmann
I have been there. And during over a decade of practicing and teaching yoga, I have found what does and doesn’t work for me for a consistent routine. So here I will share my tips for a daily yoga practice with you!
1. Yoga isn’t just asana
Sometimes we’re injured, sometimes we’re sick, and sometimes we just don’t want to move. For a consistent practice, it has to be okay to limit your movement every now and then. And yoga consists of eight limbs after all.
Maybe today’s practice is a deep breath on the subway. Not reacting without thinking when someone pushes your buttons. Sitting and breathing on your mat for a few minutes. Child pose, toe sit, malasana. A few stretches in bed. The six actions of the spine. Whatever that makes you take some time to listen to yourself and your body.
2. Turn it into a routine
I’m most consistent with my ten-minute silent meditation. It is the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do before I fall asleep. It is a part of both my morning and evening routines, so it goes by itself and helps to keep me grounded in my practice.
Since it’s as normal as brushing my teeth, I start my day off with taking care and listening to myself, practicing asana comes naturally. My body tells me that it wants to move. If your yoga practice is a part of your daily routine, you don’t have to put in the work to get yourself on the mat.
3. Make it easy for yourself
Put a large glass of water next to your bed and drink it first thing in the morning to wake up. Make sure that your mat is where you can see it. Create space in your day for yoga and a place for practice in your home.
Pick out your yoga pants the day before. And if you are not able to bring yourself to your mat just yet, wear them anyway and see if you can inspire yourself to get into your practice. Do a pose when you are waiting for your coffee. Trick yourself into wanting to move more.
Photo: Billie Taylor
4. Find or inspire a yoga friend
Do you have a friend you can talk yoga with? Maybe you can introduce yoga to one of your friends, find someone at your studio, or online. There are so many people who love talking about yoga.
A close friend can help to fuel your inspiration and make you feel more accountable to keep up with your daily practice. And who doesn’t want to have a coffee date after hitting the studio?
5. Do what’s fun
I don’t know about you, but I love inversions. Especially handstands. It’s impossible to keep a straight face when practicing handstands because, at least I, will fall out of it frequently. They make me feel happy and refreshed – I feel like a kid.
What is your favourite pose? Get into it. Do all the prep work and do what makes you smile.
Photo: Ronja Engelmann
6. Move with your intuition
Do what feels great for you. It’s perfect for your home practice – the space where you are allowed to do whatever you want.
Some days I blast hip-hop and get groovy. I dance and don’t care too much about alignment, which helps my body to be okay under multiple ways of stress and pressure and not just strong within the perfect alignment.
Some days I practice strictly, following the traditional paths of yoga. Other days I sit in silence. Sometimes I move softly. Find what feels great for you today and honour that every day is different.
7. Just do it
Throw away all your excuses and procrastination and step on your mat!
Great ideas! I found your page through your insight meditation link. Thank you 🙂 Namaste!
Thank you, Mike! I’m sorry that I’m replying so late, I haven’t felt like my website represents me in a way that I like, so I neglected it for a bit. I’m glad you appreciated my ideas and that you like Insight timer too. Such a great free app, I love the meditation bells and the community. Namaste!
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Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂
Thank you!
I like reading your web site. With thanks!
Thank you Brian, I’m glad you like it!
Great Web site, Maintain the wonderful job. Thanks a lot.
Nice to hear that, James, thank you! It means a lot to get encouragement.