Let’s face it ~ we all fall off the mat from time to time and we need to revive our yoga practice. Maybe a break occurs due to travel, sickness, holidays, injury, a disruption in our usual routine, or just the busyness of life. We step off our mat and have a hard time getting back on it again. The internal dialogue starts up: “You are not going to be able to do it. You are so out of shape. Your flexibility is gone.” Then the anxiety can kick in and cause a further lapse in your practice. Sound familiar?
If you are feeling like it’s time to get back on your mat you can revive your yoga practice with these five steps. Like riding a bike after a long hiatus before you know it you will be back in the seat (so to speak).
Be a beginner – again.
Take a deep breath and allow yourself to be where you are at this time. After a hiatus from yoga, your practice may not be at the same place it was when you left. The good news is our body and mind remember. The journey to get back to where you were when you last stepped on the mat may not be as hard as your thought! Revive your yoga practice with this short beginner flow.
Let go of the rules.
Sometimes we get bogged down in the details and feel overwhelmed at the prospect of starting again. I always remind folks in my class that the only rule is to find what feels good in the current moment and work from there. Go with what you love instead of feeling like you have to have a set sequence. Five to ten minutes of what you love is better than nothing of what you don’t!
Commit to a dedicated space.
What I know for sure is that I come to my mat more often at home if I have a space that is dedicated and waiting. If you have the ability to find a special place you love to put down your mat you may be more likely to make it there. Another excellent thing to do is to decorate your space with things you love like live plants, crystals, pictures, or candles.
Find inspiration and energize!
Set an intention before you get on the mat and write it down. Maybe it’s to find more peace or to practice a few times a week or open up your hips or shoulders. Find what inspires you to come back to your practice and get energized.
Make a standing date with yourself.
Put it on your calendar! Make a date with your mat for some self-care and alone time. If it’s on your calendar, you are more likely to carve out the time and show up.
If you are feeling the need to get back to your practice, you can revive your yoga practice with these five steps. Remember to be kind to yourself. Falling out of practice happens to everyone at some point. It’s really OK.
This is a great time to practice compassion and self love. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to be a beginner again, let go of the rules, find a committed space and a little inspiration for the journey. Then set a date on your calendar and get ready to shine.
Check out this short morning yoga flow for some additional inspiration!
You’ve got this!
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