Having Trouble Maintaining Your At-Home Yoga Practice?

By Manu Arango

You are not alone! Trust me, we’ve all been there. Even yoga teachers. Great as yoga may make us feel, sometimes the couch just gets the best of us and we cannot make it to our mat. Don’t worry, I’ve got some tips and tricks to get you started.

I must begin by highlighting the real purpose of yoga as a practice for the self: To create connection. Physically, it connects the breath to movement, but on a deeper level we are connecting with our inner voice by really feeling into the body. With this understanding, we realize that committing to our practice is a form of self-care. It is a promise to tend to ourselves.

However, knowing something is good for us doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll stick to that discipline and doesn’t necessarily make it easier. If that were the case we’d all be experts at our craft. 

Sunset savasana.

Here are my top 3 tips to stick to your yoga practice:

1. Curate your yoga space.

Because your practice is a time for you to disconnect with the outside world and go inward, it’s important to create a space with minimal distractions. Honor your practice by having and maintaining a designated place for your mat. It’ll be much easier to decide to roll it out if you don't have to move your pile of dirty laundry to do so! I also suggest making this space extra special by adding a candle, plant, or something that brings you peace. 

2. Start small. 

The problem with setting goals is that often they’re way too big and we give up altogether when it feels like too much for us. Committing to a 30-minute flow might not seem like a lot, but it is. Work your way up. I invite you to start by simply committing to one minute on your mat. That minute could be simply laying there in savasana. Maybe it's a child’s pose, maybe it's one single sun salutation. Remind yourself that simply connecting to one single breath is still a valid practice. You’ll also be surprised: once you’re already on your mat your body will probably just naturally want to keep moving!

3. Reward yourself with a celebration

It’s a brain game! You don’t need to throw a whole party every time you get on your mat (although that could be fun), but giving yourself positive reinforcement for getting on your mat will eventually tell your brain “this is a good thing, let’s keep doing it.” You can keep it simple: Give yourself a hug, whisper a “woo!” after you roll up your mat, or repeat some kind words to yourself, such as “thank you” into the mirror. 

Ultimately, yoga is also a practice of finding the balance between pushing your boundaries and accepting where you are. Cultivate this discipline while remaining gentle with yourself. Some days are strong 75 minute vinyasa days! Some days are 1-minute of deep breaths. All of it is welcome!

Want to practice with us soon?

Here are some of our upcoming offerings, all incredible opportunities. You’ve still got time to sign up!

Coming Home Retreat with Dec 4-8, 2022

New Years Reset with Dina Ivas December 28, 2022 - January 3, 2023

Alchemy Retreat with Melanie Maglieri January 6-12, 2023