Have you joined several yoga classes in the past? Have you always told yourself that this time you will definitely continue attending every class? All this only to end up missing classes after the first week is over? Even though every class left you feeling energetic and felt uplifting, continuing seemed like a steep mountain to climb. But here’s the thing - unless you attend a class long enough to make it a part of your daily routine, odds are you will end up giving up your practice.
So how do you make it a part of your routine? How did yogis practice every single day in ancient times? How can it become a habit you can’t do without?
James Clear, author of the iconic Atomic Habits, says, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. The same way that money multiplies through compound interest, the effect of your habits multiply as you repeat them.” Repeating a behaviour multiple times makes it a habit. Attending a yoga class repeatedly for a period of time will get you hooked onto it. You’ll start seeing how it can transform your life, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Few ways to make yoga a part of your daily routine
Set aside a time
Despite a demanding to-do list, try to set aside a specific time for your practice. Set your intention and write down actionable goals. Then decide how much time you intend to dedicate. If you’re joining a class, decide what time you wish to join and mark this in your calendar. The key is to find 20-60 minutes of time several times a week to practice, and to make it a priority to do so. Ideally, try to practice yoga everyday so it becomes part of your routine. The best time to fit a practice into your schedule is early morning, right after work, and before bedtime.
Create the environment
If you’re joining an online yoga class, make sure you set up a motivating space at home. When your environment is inspiring, you will be more motivated to practice (even if it’s just for 20-minutes), no matter how busy your day was. Keep the space clean and airy. Add plants, comfy cushions and keep your mat out.
Check in with yourself
Whether you’re practicing on your own or joining a class, keep checking in with yourself. Don’t Be aware of how you are feeling. Don’t get lost in making sure you attend classes. If you’re practicing with a teacher, speak to the teacher when you have any concerns. The more aware you are, the more benefits you will experience. Doing this will also help you stay aware of your mind and body connection.
Find what suits you
One way to build yoga into your routine is making sure you don’t get bored. Try different styles (Hatha, Ashtanga, Ashtanga Vinyasa, etc.) or if you are comfortable with one, stick to it. Try meditating, joining a breathwork class or attending workshops. The more you explore, the more you will realize what suits you.
Find the right class
Without the support of a yoga teacher or yoga studio, it can be tough to find the motivation for your daily yoga routine. To keep yourself motivated, take time to find the right class and teacher. You’ll also learn at a level that suits you with many variations. Different teachers have different styles of teaching too. Take time to do this. You will have someone to ask any yoga or personal progress related questions to, they will understand your body’s limitations and capabilities, and you’ll meet like-minded folks also trying to make yoga a habit!
Yoga philosophy and knowledge
By joining a live class with a teacher, you will also learn more about yoga knowledge and philosophy. These are beautiful pieces of wisdom and learnings that you can adapt in your daily life. When you see how this knowledge is making a difference to your life, you’ll feel more motivated to attend classes. The more you learn about how yoga can enrich your life, the more you’ll want to deepen your yoga knowledge.As a beginner, you may spend your time learning the basics of breathing, the physical poses, and making the effort to practice. As you progress, you may be interested in learning more about yogic philosophy.
Challenge yourself
While your goals should be realistic, you can also challenge yourself a little bit. Try new poses, set a goal to practice for 30 days, share your progress with friends…find a challenge that excites you and motivates you.
Reward yourself
Don’t forget to throw in a reward for yourself! As James Clear says, ‘What is rewarded is repeated. What is punished is avoided.’ Ask a friend to reward you if you attend classes 4-times a week for a month (you can choose a goal that works for you).
Invite your buddies
Yoga is always more fun with your buddies. When you practice with like-minded folks, you become more enthusiastic and inspired to attend classes. You can choose to hold each other accountable, establish the reward system between yourself or have your buddy call you if you’re late for class. Only those going through the same journey can help you do this. You’ll even have someone else to discuss progress and concerns with.
Making yoga a part of your daily routine will take some time. The best way to go about it is by repeating the behaviour.
If you want to master a habit, the key is to start with repetition, not perfection. -James Clear
The more you repeat it, the more it becomes ingrained in your schedule and system. Your brain begins to become prone to the activity, and thus, it will require less motivating and effort over time. It starts to become a seamless activity that you enjoy doing.
