I have been asked a few times what kind of Yoga am I doing every day. Most days it is at home doing Yoga with Adriene on Youtube, sometimes with kids running around down the other end of the house and often with my cat or dog trying to join me on the mat. This just makes me appreciate those moments when I have the house to myself and my pets are asleep!
I have completed 30 days of Yoga with Adriene and have started 31 day Yoga Revolution. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene I find these are the perfect amount of Yoga time to fit in each morning and are not too daunting to struggle with at the end of a long work/busy day. Most practices are about 30 min and I will sometimes do another 15 min on my own at the other end of the day.
My favourite Yoga days are heading along to a class which is an hour fifteen session. It has just been on and off when I can fit in the classes yet I am aiming for every week now that I have found a class that fits in with my work/mum life. If I had the $ and time I would be there three times a week, easy!
In one of Rachel Brathen’s (Yoga girl) podcast ‘Yoga every damn day’ http://rachelbrathen.com/podcast-2/ she talks about getting into the habit of rolling out your mat each day. Even if it is to just lay down, close your eyes, breath and take time for yourself.
It doesn’t have to be an hour and a half vinyasa session every day for me to know I am doing something good for myself and something I get enjoyment from.
Yoga one day could be going out amongst nature and appreciating what you see and feel, it could be listening to a podcast which enlightens your soul and makes you feel empowered.
Last week I was sick with a cold and it is the first time in 90 days that I have struggled to get out my mat. I used this time to practice meditation, connect with other yogis, read and research, and think about what else am I wanting to achieve through this year of Yoga.
Having time each day to take a moment focusing on the breath, acknowledging what you are grateful for, sitting straight and open or melting into the mat is like a reset for the mind and body. Some days (not many) this is all I have intended to do and all I feel like I am capable off, yet once I have taken time to be in this state I find it so easy to continue on and usually find myself moving freely into poses and feeling amazing and thankful after.
I say do what works for you, get into the habit of taking time each day for yourself to focus on nothing else but your breath, be still, feel good intentions, and think of you mantra – minimum! Find Yoga you love, and teacher you love and you will want to practice each day, whether it is 15 min or an hour three times a week and meditation the other days. The benefits received in all areas of life are immense, all by engaging in something that feels wonderful every day xx
P.S If you are after a supportive group, a place for questions, advice, sharing achievements and worries then join our friendly group ‘Our Yoga Tribe NZ’ on Facebook xx https://www.facebook.com/groups/ouryogatribenz/
