Here’s My Exact Guide To Creating a Consistent Yoga Practice
Written by: Michele Lyman, 500-RYT
You already know yoga is good for you. You may have even tried it a few times and felt the benefits!
Maybe you got excited and told yourself this is going to be your new healthy routine! You may have even said, “I’ll definitely practice tomorrow!”
And then...life happens.
You have so many things on your to-do list that you never seem to get on your mat. You know you should, and you probably even beat yourself up for not practicing, but you still can’t seem to find the time to make it happen.
You are not alone - every single person that practices yoga has gone through this exact thing. Including me. It can be really hard to start a new habit, even one you know is good for you. But don’t worry! I got you! Here are my tried and tested steps to start a consistent yoga practice with confidence and excitement so you can better experience the benefits of yoga in order to live a more balanced and happy life.
Shift Your Mindset
My guess is that you consider yoga a leisure activity, something fun to do with your friends, or something you have to “squeeze into” your already jammed packed schedule. If something “more important” comes along, it can be pretty easy to jump ship on your practice. Unless you change your mindset.
Consider your yoga practice as maintenance for your overall health and wellbeing. If you didn’t change the oil in your car as frequently as the manufacturer suggests, your car would probably stop working efficiently. If you didn’t have your HVAC systems checked on a regular basis, you might run into costly heating or A/C issues down the road. Your body and mind are no different.
The benefits of yoga are endless. Consider why it is important for you to begin a consistent yoga practice. It could be injury prevention, pain reduction, increase heart health, improve strength and flexibility, reduce stress and anxiety, or improve sleep. Then, when you think about skipping practice, remind yourself of the benefits you want to achieve to maintain a healthy and happy life.
Start Small
The number one question I am asked all the time is “how long do I have to practice to feel the benefits of yoga?” Some would say it depends on the goals of your practice. My answer? You can feel many benefits of yoga simply after 5 minutes. The length of your practice does not matter. As long as you are practicing staying present in your mind and body; you are practicing yoga.
With that in mind, you don’t have to practice for 60-90 minutes on a regular basis to feel the benefits. And, sometimes thinking you have to practice for a long time will keep you from practicing at all. When starting a new habit it’s best to dip your toe in the water and wade around a bit before diving in the deep end.
To set yourself up for success, commit to getting on your mat for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a week. If you need motivation at home, practice the first 10 minutes with a recorded yoga class. Or, simply move and breathe however feels right. You’ll begin to feel the benefits and the frequency of practice will help you stick with it.
Create a Routine
Not everyone loves practicing on their own at home. The truth? I actually rarely roll out my mat and just start practicing yoga! I need structure and someone to guide me.
If you are anything like me, plan to attend just one specific yoga class a week. Find your favorite day, time, teacher and style and plan to attend that class every single week. If you just say, “I’ll practice yoga this week”, it probably won’t happen. But if you say, “My yoga class is on Sundays with Michele at 10:30am” then you are more likely to get on your mat.
It might take some trial and error to find the perfect match for your schedule and your practice. AND - I promise that finding a routine that works for you will make it easier to commit, which will increase the consistency of your practice!
Schedule Yoga On Your Calendar
The famous yogi, Tony Robbins said, “If you talk about it, it’s a dream. If you envision it, it’s possible. But if you schedule it, it’s REAL.”
(I actually don’t know if Tony Robbins practices yoga, but he sure has a lot of insightful things to say!)
You already know scheduling your meetings, appointments, travel time and all the other externally focused events in your life is important. Prioritizing your yoga practice is just as important, if not more. Why? Because you can’t be your best self for others if you don’t take care of yourself first. It’s impossible to pour from an empty glass. You need to fill your own glass first before you can give to others.
Whether you use Google Calendar, iCalendar, a desk calendar or a written weekly to-do list, schedule in your yoga practice. Then fit all your other responsibilities and tasks around it.
So there you have it! You now have the knowledge and tools you need to begin a consistent yoga practice! And remember, life does happen. So if you do miss a scheduled time on your mat, don’t beat yourself up about it! Just make a commitment to get back at it again the next time. Trust me when I say that creating and making these habits will set you up for living a more balanced and healthier life.
Michele Lyman is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. She is the owner of Serenity Yoga and has been teaching yoga since 2003.
She’s best known for her enthusiasm and kindness. She also specializes in helping busy women reduce their anxiety and live the life they want.
To learn about Michele’s online program, click here.