Finding time for ourselves in the busyness of our lives can feel like an immense task as our to-do lists grow and our bandwidth dwindles - and that is why cultivating a regular yoga practice is more important than ever. I promise, if you feel like you have no idea where to squeeze your practice in sometimes, you are far from alone. Below are some tips and tricks for building a regular yoga practice that feels sustainable, functional, and beneficial for your mind, body, and spirit.

Start Small

This may seem contrary to the point but don't feel like you have to start out by practicing every day. This might not feel attainable or sustainable, which could lead to feeling like you can't practice at all. Start with what feels manageable and build consistency within that. For example, maybe you can feel you can only practice 2 days a week - that's great! Practice at the same time of day for the same amount of time on those two days and keep showing up. Over time, you might discover you have more time and energy than you think to show up on more days. Additionally, your yoga practice doesn't need to be an hour long for you to experience the benefits. A little truly goes a long way. By integrating practice lengths that feel manageable, you're more likely to feel like you can do it, and so, you will.

Build Your Space

Trust me, I know the struggles of living in a small space and trying to do Warrior poses between a queen-sized bed and a dresser. Even if you are working with limited space, sometimes simply making it as clutter-free as possible with some intentionally placed items can help (keeping your mat and props nearby, having your favorite plants or visual artwork surrounding the practice area, etc.). Make your at-home yoga space, no matter how small, enjoyable, inspiring, and conducive to a focused practice.

Extra Tip: If you work or study from home, move or cover up your technology with a tapestry/blanket so that the stress of the working world is, at the least, not permeating your visual field.

Make It Enjoyable

Finding a way to help yourself truly look forward to this new addition to your schedule can be massively beneficial. That might look like making your favorite tea to have during practice, putting on your most comfortable clothes, making a special playlist to listen to, burning your favorite candle or incense, or anything else that gives you something extra to look forward to as you prepare to hop on your mat. Make it cozy; make it magical.

Listen to Your Body

You don't always have to do an asana practice. Yes. Read that again. Asana is just one of the eight limbs of yoga (more on that in another blog post). On the days when your body is asking for rest, your practice might look like putting on a guided meditation, journaling, reading your favorite yoga book, or simply lying on your mat and breathing. Listening to the wisdom of your body is one of the most important pieces of yoga in general, so be sure to tune in on the days that it feels extra hard to show up. It's okay to adjust what you do with the time on your mat.

Find a Teacher/Channel/App That You LOVE

There are tons of ways to tune into yoga classes these days. Between YouTube, fitness and mindfulness apps, and online yoga websites, there's someone and something out there for everyone. Take the time to test out different teachers and platforms and find someone who inspires you to keep showing up. Maybe that's me or someone else. The most important thing is to find a good fit.

To find my yoga and meditation practices for FREE, search @yourjourneyyoga on YouTube. For additional and exclusive content, visit the Video Library page here on the Your Journey Yoga Website. To book a private online or in-person practice with me, go to the contact page and send me a message. I am honored to support you on your unique journey with yoga ❤️