Start Your Yoga Habit

in

Two Do's and a Don't

Seeing the obvious benefits to those who practice Yoga, doesn't necessarily make forming a habit of practicing easier. "I wish" and "I will" are often an ocean apart.

Preparation is key to tackling the challenge of forming a new habit. Eventually the habit of not-doing is replaced by the momentum of doing. Your body demands it. You discover that rather than a mandate, practicing Yoga is a pleasure.

Know Why 

In forming any habit you need to have good reasons. Why do you want practice Yoga on a regular basis? Here are a dozen reasons to get you started. 

  • Flexibility
  • Clarity
  • Stress reduction
  • Better posture
  • Overall conditioning
  • Presence
  • Awareness
  • Eliminate postural aches and pains
  • Better breathing
  • Health conscienceness
  • Strength
  • Calmness

Make sure your answer to "why?" is personal and not a measure of another's expectations. Write it down. Set this as your intention everytime you go to your mat. There will be days when you are going to question your own resolve, when you can't seem to drag yourself to your mat. Be prepared with your own motivation in the form of this intention. Always bear in mind the reasons you wanted to form a Yoga habit in the first place.

Start Slowly 

Yoga can be as gentle as a vacation nap in a hammock, or it can be as intense as special forces training. An intense workout can cause muscle pain in places you had no idea existed. Trying too many new things at one time can be discouraging. Start slowly. Make it a goal to feel good afterwards. If you crave intensity, be assured that Yoga provides can provide this when you are ready.

When practice seems too hard or stressful, then it probably is. Back off until it feels good again.

Don't Compare Yourself to Others 

Yoga is about one thing: making you a more effective person. You have totally unique arms and legs, a totally unique back and neck. Yoga works just as specifically as your parts. How other's respond to yoga is 100 percent irrelevant. Dispairing that someone has more flexible hamstrings is as helpful as dispairing that you can't fly by flapping your arms.

Take heart that all students of the practice hit a brick wall at some point. Determination, motivation and psychological stamina are learned skills, just like Warrior or Triangle Pose. Keep these tips in mind as you cultivate your Yoga habit.

 

Photo by mantiskungfu