Is your yoga practice on holiday?
Five tips for reconnecting to your physical practice
We recently asked Mat & Tablers how connected they were feeling to their practice & nearly 90% answered “haha, what practice?” or “ehh i’m trying, but struggling”. We feel you. The heat, coming off the holidays, keeping healthy, it’s all a lot.
Here’s 5 tips to help you return to the mat & enjoy it:
1. Make Showing Up Easy
First classes back do not have to be a Monday 6am advanced class. Instead, find a class that gives you energy rather than drains it, like your favourite teacher's class at your favourite studio. Going to your own tried & tested classes is a great way to get back to what made you fall in love with yoga originally. Remove any barriers that could stop you from showing up altogether.
2. Modifications & Props
Props & modifications do not equate to having a weaker practice. As a teacher, when I see students use props, I think “what an advanced practice”. That’s a sign to me that a student knows their body, is respecting what it needs that day & has the experience to use props as a tool. Remember, teacher are there to guide you, but you know how something feels in your body more than anyone else.
3. Ego is Not Your Amigo
Remind yourself that there is no expectation to perform when you show up to the mat. Setting a sankalpa (or intention) for your class like “honouring your boundaries” or “finding strength without force” can help set you up for success. If you find yourself getting frustrated during class, return to this intention as much as you need. And remember, you are not any less of a yoga practitioner for taking a break from your asana practice.
4. Lock It In With Friends!
Book in for class & put it in your calendar. Find a yoga buddy (shout out to the accountabilibuddies!) or even tell your teacher you’re attending prior to class. Heck, I even like to plan where I’m going to get a coffee afterwards so I can look forward to that as well.
5. Don’t take it too seriously
Have fun. After all, it’s just yoga:) We’re all doing the best we can right now, so be kind to yourself.
