5 Key Pointers to Practice Yoga All By Yourself
Here's a secret: it's hard for everyone to establish a home yoga practice. We become reliant on the guidance and voice of a knowledgeable teacher to lead us through the steps of a practice. It's easy to feel like a baby bird shoved out of the nest too soon when the words 'self-practiced' are uttered. How do we tackle this fear? Step by step, day by day. It takes a while to feel confident enough to practice by yourself. Start simple, don't worry about elaborate sequencing or a lengthy practice. Just show up on the mat and know you want to practice. Here are a few helpful tips to guide you along the way ensuring that no matter your mood, level of confidence or time frame, there's always room for some yoga.
Fit it into your routine Every day you take time to drink water, use the bathroom and eat… so treat your practice in the same way. Pick a time to practice and make it sacred. The morning is one of the best times to practice as the day often slips away and the next thing we know we're in the middle of happy hour and light years away from Downward Facing Dog. It might mean you need to set your alarm an extra 20 minutes earlier than you normally do, but you'll reap the rewards every day.
No more excuses about time! Home practice doesn't mean you need a dedicated 90 minutes per day on the mat. That's what yoga studios are for. A home practice can be anywhere from 5 minutes to a full 90. Let go of any guilt surrounding the amount of time or calories you burned and just commit to showing up on your mat. Some of my most rewarding practices have been 20 minutes long. So next time you catch yourself saying you don't have time—you do. Whip out 10 minutes of Sun Salutations, 5 minutes of breath work, or work some twists and hip openers into your seated desk work.
Use the buddy system Yoga is always easier with a buddy around. Have a set yoga date two times per week with one of your best friends. Just so come rain or shine, you motivate each other to show up. It's a great supplement to practicing on your own and may even inspire you to laugh more or get new sequencing ideas.
Find great resources Practicing yoga from memory or on your own is tricky if you're not already a teacher. Fortunately, there are wonderful resources out there right now. Online yoga is becoming prevalent so check out yogajournal.com/video
Remember to relax! This is often the hardest part to remember—it's okay to relax. A home practice doesn't mean it has to be difficult, sweaty, and exhausting. Often the best answer to a stressed out, overworked body is relaxation. Invest in some great props: two blocks, a strap, a bolster, and a few blankets. Use these props for long, restorative poses leading up to a juicy savasana or meditation. That is really what the doctor ordered!
