One of the biggest challenges a modern yogi can face is practicing every day. The world is now built to be flashier, brighter and more exciting in every thing that we do. It’s very challenging not to get distracted by HBO’s newest coolest series or even just the every day world – such as laundry, dishes or errands – and not to mention kids! So, if you can’t get to the studio every day and you are curious about ways to fit in your practice, read on. We have 10 suggestions from yogis around the world to help you cultivate that daily time for Svadyaya – sanskrit for self-study.
1. Make your time consistent every day. Pick a time that you are going to dedicate to practice and plan you day around that. Even if its just 10 minutes, the regular timing will get into your daily rhythms and it will become easier and easier to take that time.
2. Start with firm determination. Just like you can’t bake bread without flour, you can’t practice without a firm will to do so. It’s the most important ingredient for baking yourself in the fire of tapas, or discipline. Otherwise, any little thing is liable to go higher on your priority list.
3. Have an open mind. If you consider your practice done only when you have 2 hours and a hot sweaty room to practice in, you will for sure run into trouble! Consider your practice to encompass all different styles. Some days it can be hot and sweaty, but then some days it might be perfect to meditate and do some pranayama.
4. Make it easier on yourself. We all have flashes of creative brilliance, but everyone needs to have the spark of inspiration lit now and again. Order a couple of yoga DVDs for when that time comes, or go to the internet for support. YouTube has some great videos that are free, and there are lots of subscription services out there too. AYC has classes on YogaVibes.com, so you can take Stephanie with you wherever you go!
5. Find some friends. Just like the saying, “Two minds are better than one,” it really helps to have a friend or two to practice with once a week (or more often!). This creates a energy circle, a community – your sangha. This can lift you up when you are down, give you ideas when you feel dry and generally help your motivation when someone is relying on you to be there with them.
6. Be Patient. Some days it will feel AWESOME, and some days you will have rather stayed in bed. Don’t worry, most of the most profound effects of yoga take years to come to fruition. That is one of the cool things about yoga – it’s a cumulative effect, like peeling the layers off of an onion. Some day you might run out of layers, but in the meantime you will have liberating experiences as you gain understanding of your self.
7. Add music. One of the best ways to get you body on to your yoga mat is to put on music. It can be soft music if you are tired and need a gentle practice, or pumping up the volume with your favorite rock band if you have juice to spare that day. If you are part of the digital generation, make a playlist on your iPod and commit to staying on the mat until the last note dies into silence. That can be just the boundary you need to stay on your mat!
8. Get a hit of Shakti! If nothing is working and you are just stumped, find your favorite teacher and ask her for advice. They might have a personal experience they can relate to you that will help you move past the block in your body and mind and springboard you to the next level.
9. Learn something new. Go to a new teacher, pick up a book at the library about yoga or ask a friend to borrow something from his library. Even non-yoga books can be inspirational when it comes to your practice. Ask your friends what their favorite book has been of late and try it out. A fresh, new perspective can do wonders for your attitude towards the mat!
10. Make it personal. Identify what you love most about yoga and incorporate that into your daily practice. Is it the quiet five minutes of meditation? Is it linking the poses with breath? Is it mantra? Do some simple self-reflection to find our what floats your yoga boat!
One of the most inspirational ways to keep up with a daily practice is to remember your yoga mat is your personal surfboard for life. The lessons you learn on it will serve you in all aspects of your life – how you approach each exercise, each shape will help you approach similar types of problems off of the mat. The more you practice, the more grace and ease in the breath as you move from pose to pose, or ride the wave of the breath in meditation, those lessons will directly translate into your life. Your relationships will improve, along with your health and understanding of your self. All of these things will help you ease your journey and learn as much as you can in this life. And can’t we agree that is worth a few minutes on the mat every day?
The author, Anna Ferguson, is a yoga teacher, artist, photographer and writer. She teaches weekly classes at Asheville Yoga Center and other studios in Asheville, NC. Find out more about her at ushasyoga.com.
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