The health benefits of a regular yoga practice are well-documented, but there are many other benefits to a regular yoga practice that go beyond your physical body. Your in-studio classes are a great way to feel the physical benefits of yoga, sadhana – or self-care – when you’re away from the studio traveling or at home, is a great way to stay on schedule when life gets hectic.
Here’s a few ways you can take your yoga practice off the mat, out of the studio and into your world:
- Make a habit of practicing in the morning. Making yoga the first thing you do in your day can open you up to more present throughout your day. It frees up your mind, especially when traveling, to focusing on the experiences at hand and not worrying about fitting in your practice. You’ve already accomplished that!
- Go with the flow! This is especially important when you’re traveling and are already off your normal routine. Make sure to give yourself a break; sometimes you get to practice as planned, but sometimes other things come up. This mindset will help you become more fluid in your life and will increase your enjoyment of your practice time.
- Meditate. This aspect of practice is often overlooked though particularly useful if you only have a few minutes to find a peaceful spot. Taking the time to meditate when the opportunity presents itself is a wonderful way to practice on the go. If you prefer guidance in your meditation, try this online meditation guide.
- Take deep breaths throughout the day, especially when stressful situations present themselves. When stretching, ujjai breaths or long, deep breaths help you relax and maintain the posture. You can even use the breath to stretch further. Rest in the asana and feel the stretch. This can be taken into your everyday life because stressful situations will always arise – when it feels overwhelming, the best thing you can do is breath in deeply and make sure you’re in your present moment and know that everything is impermanent except the breath.
Incorporating yoga into your daily life can be easy and fun. It’s not just exercise; it’s a mindset and approach to life. Take the opportunity to become more connected to yourself and to others!