Years ago, when I first started practicing yoga, I went to every class I could manage in consideration of my busy work schedule. Then I had a baby and, understandably, my life and time were no longer my own. It dawned on me that in order to keep my progress up, I needed to dedicate myself to a regular home practice. Sure, I always did a little bit of yoga, every day, especially during the last term of my pregnancy but I never really had a dedicated practice.
As a new mom, my commitment to practice had to be disciplined and non-negotiable. I learned early on that I and everyone in my household benefited from my dedicated practice time! I shared this quote in class the other day and it really seemed to resonate with the students. Several asked me for a copy. Here it is:
“Discipline is one of the highest forms of self love. It is quite literally telling yourself that you will delay instant gratification and comfort for better things to come in the future. A lot of people see self love as spa baths and fancy coffee, but true self love is how you manage yourself in the face of adversity. How you talk to yourself and what you are willing to do to create the version of yourself that you can admire the most. True self love is hard. It is the hardest yet most rewarding thing you can ever do. It is something that is earned day in and day out.”
(source unknown)
I hope you read and reread that a few times. Let it sink in. Reflect on the message contained and see where it lands for you.
Growing up I struggled with the concept of discipline, I did not like to be told what to do. As I got older, I started to understand that discipline actually made me feel better, feel better physically, mentally and about myself in general. The times when there was discipline in my life were more productive, more positive and I felt more in control. When I met and fell in love with yoga, its inherent discipline and structure interested me – mainly because, at that time in my life, everything else was seemingly out of control.
I know that the thought of home practice can be overwhelming. I’ve heard (and felt) it all. “I’m too busy”. “I’ll do something wrong”. “I can never remember the sequence we practiced in class”. “I don’t have a proper space in my home”. Etc., etc., etc. I am going to ask you to scroll up and reread the quote on discipline again and then reconsider the concept of home practice as an authentic and rebellious act of self love.
It’s important to notice when we start to get in the way of ourselves. We are busy being busy. What if you had a child that was struggling in math in grade five and just said all the excuses listed above. Would you let them off the hook and say, “fine, don’t bother.”? If not, why should we let ourselves off the hook? Why, in fact, do we look at it as a form of discomfort to establish a solid discipline around practice? It should and could and absolutely will be a source of joy – once you get out of your way!
Get Out of Your Head and Onto Your Mat – aka Don’t Overthink Things:
There’s nothing new here. In fact, if you have ever taken a class with me, you have heard this before, probably more than you would like but here’s hoping this time it sinks in!
hOMe Practice Techniques:
Establish a consistent practice time: Morning is considered the best time to practice yoga as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. However, you can practice at any time of the day that suits your schedule. The key is to find a time that works for you and stick to it.
Create a designated practice space
Designate a space in your home where you can practice yoga consistently. Make sure it is quiet, clean, and free from distractions. Use props like blankets, blocks, and straps and other regular household items/furniture to support your practice. (n.b. I have had very creative students in the past who have transformed their walk in closets or ensuite bathrooms to become their yoga space so they could practice in a room with a door that locks!).
Start with a short practice
Start with a short 10-15 minute practice and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable with the practice. It’s better to practice for a short period daily than to practice for a longer period sporadically. Use the tools you have available to you to inspire your practice like recorded videos, pdfs, books or even images.
If you are a YJ member or member of another yoga video library and don’t want to commit to practicing a whole recorded class just open up the video, scroll through it quickly and take a few screenshots of the poses you want to practice and take that to your mat. If you are a YJ member and would like to work on a specific target practice or area of the body, let me know and I will send you the link to some appropriate resources. There’s lots of free resources available as well. If you would prefer to practice in the Iyengar method just add that to Google as you search.
Focus on a particular area
If you have a specific area of focus or a particular pose you want to master, focus your practice on that area. For example, if you have a hip problem, stick to a hip practice for a while and track your progress. Keep this up as a maintenance, stabilizing, mobilizing, strengthening and endurance practice for that particular area in between attending regular classes.
Keep a yoga journal
Keeping a yoga journal can help you track your progress, make adjustments to your practice, and set goals for yourself. It can also serve as a source of motivation and inspiration.
Be patient and consistent
Yoga is a practice, and it takes time to develop a consistent practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember that consistency is key, and the more you practice, the more progress you will make.
Seek guidance when needed
While practicing at home is an excellent way to develop a consistent practice, it’s essential to seek guidance from a qualified teacher when needed. Attending regular classes and workshops (either online or in person) to refine your practice and get feedback on your alignment and technique is essential for progression. If possible, try to attend at least two live classes per week. I guarantee that your progress will be exponentially greater if you do this in addition to your regular home practice. Remember, home practice does not have to be long for it to be effective.
By following these tips and advice, you can develop a disciplined and intelligent home yoga practice that supports your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Think of it as an act of radical self love. Go back and reread that quote, you’ve got this and you are so worth it.
Willing to take on the hOMe Practice Challenge?
I’ve got your back and I would love to hear from you. If I can support you in any way, please reach out. I have a Home Practice document that covers the basics that I use to inspire my students and would be happy to share that with you. Just send me an email.
“The light that yoga sheds on life is something special. It is transformative. It does not change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.” “The physical body is not only a temple for our soul, but the means by which we embark on the inward journey toward the core.”
BKS Iyengar
