Simple ways to live life like an Urban Yogi

When we say Yoga, it is much beyond postures and poses. The approach to yoga practice in ancient times was way different from what we see right now. Back then, yoga was practiced in every part of an individual’s lifestyle, it is what you did in every routine of the day. That was exactly how yoga was taught in gurukuls in ancient India - it covered not just poses but one’s entire life education. From their knowledge to their physical prowess. It was done to help and make you aware of what you were born to do.

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We should practice yoga from the moment you wake up to the time you sleep. It is all about being present on and off the mat. It is what you do with your body, your thoughts, your feelings, emotions, the experiences you go through in life, the food you eat, how you contribute to society, your friends, your family, and everyone that you knowingly or unknowingly touch every day. Yoga aims to live a mindful lifestyle where we aim to being more aware of each moment, more accepting and less judgmental.

"Yoga does not change the object you see, it transforms the person who sees."

Yoga is not just taking a yoga class every day for an hour but it is a lifestyle in which you take care of your internal environment i.e, your body, breath, thoughts, feelings, but also your external environment i.e. your food, your home, your relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers.

What is an Urban Yogic lifestyle?

It is a holistic approach towards life that helps us to be aware of all aspects of this existence. Being kind to ourselves and others, having a focused mind helps to go inwards and be aligned to the higher self. Following a yogic lifestyle is not difficult or overwhelming as it appears to be, it is a gradual process that one needs to practice on a daily basis.

I have really resonated with simple yogic practices which if incorporated over a period of a few years can change not just you but how the universe responds to you, the people it sends your ways, the experiences, etc. It’s all about energy exchange.

Why is it an ideal lifestyle for all?

In the world we are living in currently, taking care of ourselves both mentally and physically is extremely important, making small changes in our daily routines can help us go a long way to improving our health. In the modern world, we are always unconsciously chasing something or the other, and give very little importance to our overall health. A yogic lifestyle will help you to be conscious of yourself and your surroundings and also make you aware of the decisions you are making.

Ways you can achieve the yogic lifestyle

Waking up early is considered to be very healthy as it is the body’s natural clock. It helps one to be more productive throughout the day and finish work with ease and on time.
Taking a shower in the mornings wakes you up and energizes you like no other routine. It is the easiest way you can make a small positive change in your life, that can get some discipline in your everyday routine. Water has tremendous healing properties for the human mind, body, and spirit. Water is alive and it can physiologically and psychologically benefit people because of its therapeutic nature. It helps cure illness, refresh the body and relax the mind. An early morning bath can eliminate toxins from the body and stimulate the body, promote resistance to disease, and increases vitality.
Starting your day with a glass of warm water helps your body to detoxify and discard the unwanted from the system.
A good asana practice even for half an hour in the morning can immediately make you feel calm and energised as the mind is at its most still and the rest of the world hasn’t yet sprung into action, this just helps you to kickstart your day and be at your best.
A balanced breakfast is important as it breaks the overnight fasting period and replenishes the supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness. A healthy breakfast can provide all the nutrients for good health. It kickstarts our metabolism and gives the energy that it needs to get things done and helps you be more productive and focused. So eating a wholesome breakfast is a must!
Random acts of kindness is nothing but being kind to yourself and others, it’s about being there when someone needs you or helping someone whenever you can. Studies have shown that being kind boosts the serotonin level that regulates our mood.
Spending time with ourselves every day is important to reflect on our emotions and actions and also a crucial part of self-development.
Our mind keeps running from the time we wake up till the time we go to sleep. A lot happens throughout the day, the good, the bad, and the worst sometimes. Quietening the mind and centering yourself before you sleep is important to have a good night’s sleep. A short meditation at the end of the day as well will help to soothe the nervous system and journaling which can be also called emotional dumping, which is a simple process of writing down of whatever you have been through, all the emotions you have felt. It just helps you to take the load off your chest.

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Try this for sure and let us know how you felt after doing this in the comment section!

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Tips to achieve the Yogic lifestyle

Pick up one change at a time and be consistent with it.
Be mindful of each change you are making and see how you are feeling from within.
If you fall out of practice, that’s okay! We have all been there. But do make sure you jump back to the routine from the next day. Don’t wait to start again from the coming Monday or the coming month.
Keep it simple, don’t overwhelm yourself, take baby steps and keep the practices simple so that it becomes a sustainable practice.
Motivate yourself every day and try to become a better person and gradually become better at these practices.
Always remember that every human is different, and our body works differently. So choose what works best for you and dismiss what doesn’t. Never compare your journey with somebody else’s.

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Yogic Lifestyle Advice

Sleep is the most important aspect of a healthy mind and body. A 7-8 hour of sleep is important for everybody.

Eat simple, easy to digest, and freshly made home-cooked food. Our body doesn’t require a lot, it needs simple food to run. So keep all your meals simple and freshly made and eat when your body requires.

Shavasa’s CEO’s & Founders take on Yogic lifestyle

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You have been following a yogic lifestyle for a while, what is your take on it?

The first step in anything is maintaining a routine and being disciplined. Initially, it was very difficult to switch to a yogic lifestyle after living a certain kind of life I have led for a long time. But the biggest thing that helped me was taking Sankalp (oath) of taking out one bad habit and adding one good habit at a time and doing it till it became a part of me and my routine. My biggest takeaway from yoga has been discipline.

Do you think it is easy to follow this lifestyle in the modern world?

Making a change to a yogic lifestyle can get difficult but it is not impossible. In the modern world, there are few things that can eventually make you lead a lifestyle like this. It can happen when a person is facing difficulties and seeking to make positive changes for a better life or when you are completely inspired by someone that motivates you to change the way you are leading your life. My two cents is that take it easy and make gradual changes over the years.

Any suggestions for the people who would like to get on this journey?‍

The most important thing here is the company you keep because you are the company that you keep. Try and be mindful about the people you are mingling with, spend some more time with people who are on the same path as yours, spend more time reading books for your knowledge. Your main priority should be taking care of your mental and physical fitness, keep moving and dont live a sedentary lifestyle. And never give up! ‍

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