Becoming a yogi can seem intimidating. Especially now, with many gyms and studios closed, many of us are thinking, What’s the point? Luckily, I have 5 tips to get you back in the mood to do yoga, and the available resources to make it happen.
Use YouTube
There are numerous resources available on YouTube to stay in touch (or become in touch) with your chakra. My favorite beginner-friendly yoga instructor on YouTube is Yoga With Adriene. Adriene provides hundreds of free videos touching any need you could imagine: strength, flexibility, focus, anti-insomnia, even PTSD. Her routines range from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
Sometimes, a bit of research and trial-and-error is necessary. If you are new to practice and a 30-minute strength routine seems too daunting, customize your search. For instance, by searching for something such as, “15-minute yoga for balance.” With time, you will narrow down your focus and be able to understand your coming-and-going needs with the passing of days.
Incorporate it into your routine
The overarching goal of yoga is kindness and connection to your highest self. That being said, a 10 minute light practice every morning when you wake up goes a long way. I like to follow a 12-minute YouTube class after I wake up and stretch every day, and I find that it improves my posture, confidence, and energy levels throughout the day.
Set up your space
Your yoga space is essential. To get in touch with your highest self, you must be in a calming environment. For me, this means lighting candles or incense for sensorial stimulation, practicing on a yoga mat, having a fan on to prevent overheating, and sometimes having string lights to inspire creativity. I make sure my space is devoid of any mirrors to prevent egocentric thoughts.
Sometimes, I like to heat orange peels and cinnamon in a small saucepan for additional aromatherapy. The bottom line is to create a space that is open, attractive, and calming. Setting up your yoga space is the most fun part when you are starting to become a home-yogi, and it is very rewarding once you become a regular.
Join online communities
Google search for yoga communities in your area that are providing virtual live classes. If not that, there are some yoga dedicated Instagram accounts that provide free classes in their live videos. Some research and trial-and-error goes a long way, and once you have found a solid foundation, nothing will feel like a task. In sum, joining a community is rewarding and motivating.
Find a friend
If you are not willing to join a community or class, finding a friend or family member who shares your wellness interests during quarantine can be both the most motivating and rewarding in your yogi journey. If you are having trouble learning by yourself when the going gets tough, try opening up your practice to a friend and allow them to join you on the spiritual path.
I find that yoga can be very social, especially when you and your yogi friend begin to experiment with homemade teas, candles, and oils. Furthermore, tea talks after practice increase the mood benefits of the practice even further.
The bottom line…
Yoga has countless proven physical benefits, but it is nevertheless a spiritual journey. Slowly but surely, you may find that yoga is the right practice to get you feeling on your feet, confident, and spiritually sated in distressing times. Yoga does not have to be a difficult or expensive practice, and with countless resources, yoga can be just as fulfilling as it would be in a class.