Our guest author, Sheila Johnson, has always been a hard worker, but she learned first hand that her physical and mental health require work too if she wants to continue to excel. All those hours logged at work caught up to her, leaving her run down, stressed, anxious, and experiencing migraines. She now takes yoga classes, practices meditation, and hits the gym. She’s looking, feeling, and working better than she has in years. Thank you for sharing your article with us, Sheila!
Yoga is about progress, not perfection. Every posture affords a moment to go deeper — in mind, body, or both. From a relaxing, restorative practice to a vinyasa flow that works your core and builds strength, yoga helps you grow and let go, improve strength, and enhance flexibility. However, many yogis feel stuck right now if they can’t attend classes or one-on-one training. With pandemic uncertainty still looming, it’s time to think again.
Buy an online subscription
There are many online yoga subscriptions that feature thousands of videos from some of the biggest names in yoga. For what it would normally cost for only a month at a studio, you can get access to these videos for an entire year. From Shiva Rae to Seane Corn, you can practice with experts on Gaia.com through affordable membership plans. You can also search for practices based on time. Even as little as seven minutes a day of yoga can improve your practice.
Stock up on home equipment
Starting or enhancing your home practice is one of the easiest and affordable ways to elevate your yoga. Pick a focus area: pranayama, vinyasa flow, or a posture workshop, or you can explore new practices. Find a focus that excites and enthralls you so you’re more apt to keep at it. And get some home equipment that supports your journey. You can find good deals and discounts on premium yoga accessories through a variety of stores like Target, Walmart and Lululemon. Plus, by visiting a deal aggregate site, you can find Target, Walmart and Lululemon coupons and promo codes for even steeper savings on mats, blocks, straps, music, apparel and more.
Set an intention for your practice
Dedicating your practice to a specific goal can motivate you to keep a regular rhythm of practice. You can download a free app that encourages you to work toward a daily, weekly, or monthly goal. Think about what kind of intention would not only improve your practice but also boost other areas of your life. For example, if you have a tendency for self-deprecation after seeing an Instagram post by someone who is more advanced, set the intention to avoid comparison. When you make the effort to stop comparing yourself to others, you feel more confident.
Be willing to explore
A key part of expanding your practice includes moving outside of your comfort zone. This isn’t to say you should be executing advanced postures, just that it’s worth finding other types of yoga or activities that support your practice. Perhaps it’s trying a slower paced class, or maybe it’s finally time to dive headfirst into making your practice more spiritual. Anything that can supplement your efforts will strengthen your relationship with yoga. And it will embolden you to try some of those advanced classes or workshops once your studio reopens.
If you’re hoping to enhance your practice when you can’t experience in-person classes, look into some of these budget-friendly yoga options that you can explore when you want to boost your practice without breaking the bank.