Weaving Yoga into your every day

While many of us would like to have the time, space and motivation to self-practice Yoga, meditation and self-care every day (or even a few days a week), the reality of daily life isn’t conducive to this.

Yoga is not just a movement or asana practice. It can be a whole system of being, thinking and living.

Not having a fully integrated or regular self-practice does not mean you can’t incorporate the principles of Yoga into your daily routine.

Here’s a few ideas of things to try.

1.      Think about how you start your day. Can you take a moment for reflection when you wake up – perhaps doing some movement before rolling out of bed and starting your day. Tick tocking bent knees from side to side, rotating wrists and ankles and waking up joints, or a cat/cow movement sequence can help you wake up the body gently

2.      Try and find a time in your day when you can focus on breath – even 30 seconds, slowing down and mindfully breathing deeply can bring huge benefits

3.      Consider using an app, like Insight Timer, to access a guided meditation or short practice – even five minutes will feel good

4.      When in your day can you work in some physical movement? Perhaps waiting for the kettle to boil, some seated movements at your desk or before you get out of the car?

5.      How can you end your day without feeling frazzled? Light a scented candle and sit in silence for a few minutes, a warm bath with some essential oils, or a few restorative Yin Yoga postures before you get into bed.

It’s important not to beat yourself up with a ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda’ mindset. So, you didn’t manage to work out, eat healthily or do yoga today…as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras say ‘and now, Yoga’.

Small changes lead to great things.

“A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”

Lao Tzu