We all know the drill. You tell yourself you’re going to make yoga a regular habit, then life gets in the way and somehow you haven’t been to a class in weeks. It’s common for motivation and consistency to go in ups and downs, yet consistency in your yoga practice is where the magic happens. A regular and consistent yoga practice builds strength, increases flexibility, allows you to let go of stress and anxiety and connects you to your true self - truly ALL the good stuff. Read below for our 5 realistic tips on how to stay consistent with your yoga practice.
How to stay consistent with your yoga practice
Plan your classes in advance
The first step to staying consistent in your yoga practice is to plan out your classes in advance. Look at your calendar for the next few weeks and set aside time in your schedule for yoga. Booking your classes online in advance will help you to find the time and stick to it!
Keep to the same classes each week
Choosing a class that you love and committing to it each week takes the decision fatigue out of the equation and allows yoga to become a regular part of your routine.
Prioritise your ‘me-time’
When life gets busy it can be easy to let go of the things that seemingly ‘don’t matter’ as much. Making time to look after yourself allows you to be a better mother, friend, sister, colleague, boss etc. So learn to say no once in a while and say yes to prioritising yourself!
Ask yourself “How will I feel after a yoga class?”
If you find yourself making excuses for why you can’t go to class, ask yourself how you will feel after the yoga class. Do you ever leave a yoga class with regret thinking “I wish I hadn't done that?” I can almost guarantee the answer is a definite “NO!” Yoga allows you to move your body, center your mind and connect to something deeper so that you come away feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a class - or 5!
If you miss a few classes and find yourself falling out of the habit, don’t let this completely sidetrack you. There is no need to wait until next week or next month to get back into your routine or regular habits. Get back on track as soon as your next scheduled class rolls around. As long as you pick back up when things get a little sidetracked, you’re on the right path! There’s no such thing as perfection!
So if you’re serious about making yoga a constant in your life, take yourself through these five steps and remember to practice Tapas (sanskrit for discipline) in the moments where things might start to slip. While routine and discipline is important, remember to listen to your body and intuition. Learn to know when you truly need a break or when the mind is doing you a disservice.