The importance of a daily yoga practice
and what elements to include in a daily practice
We all know about the wonderful benefits of yoga – its ability to relieve stress, ease tension in the body, and leave us feeling happier and healthier. Undeniably, during these challenging times, we need all of these things now more than ever!
An at-home yoga practice is for anyone, you don’t have to have attended a yoga studio for 6 months to get started! It’s easy – all you need is yourself (and maybe a mat and some stretchy clothes).
In this article, we’ll be looking at the importance of daily yoga practice, what elements to include in your daily practice, and some tips to make the most of your at-home practice.
# Why is it important to practice yoga every day?
When we practice yoga on a daily basis not only do we reap the benefits, but we also learn a lot about our bodies.
By being consistent in our practice we recognise daily aches and pains as well as any new discomforts, making it easier to notice the cause and make adjustments in our habits. This could be changing the position that we sleep in, paying greater attention to the movements that we make every day, or even adjusting the way that we run or exercise.
Practising every day will also lead to yoga quickly becoming a habit and something that we can’t go a day without!
Through daily practice, we will gain more flexibility, strength, and coordination. You’ll quickly notice the development in your practice when spending time on your mat every day.
# What do I need to start practising yoga at home?
The best thing about yoga is that all you really need is yourself! You could practice on a rug in your pajamas and have a great practice. However, investing in a little yoga equipment will help to motivate you as well as make your practice more enjoyable.
A mat: A yoga mat is the one thing you really need to get started with a daily yoga practice. There’s something so soothing about rolling out your yoga mat and committing to spending an hour on it. Choose something that has good grip – there’s nothing worse than your hands and feet sliding around during your practice! You might also want to select a mat with geometric shapes as this can really help with alignment and positioning.
Yoga clothes: You can practice yoga in any clothes that are comfortable and stretchy or loose. Leggings made specifically for yoga are designed for lots of movement and stretching to make your time on the mat more comfortable.
Props: Two yoga blocks and a strap can be really useful props to have to hand during your practice. Both of these props help to make a variety of poses more accessible and comfortable.
Extras: A few extras that you might want to consider are:
- Candles/essential oil diffuser
- Pillow for meditation or grounding practices
- Blanket for warmth during savasana
# What elements should I include in my daily yoga practice?
There is no ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ when it comes to a yoga practice – after all, your practice is all about you and what your body needs on any given day. Saying that here’s a step-by-step to help you design your at-home flows:
- Breathing/meditation practice
- Seated poses
- Sun salutations
- Standing poses
- Balancing poses
- Cooldown
- Savasana
You might also like to spend 45 minutes in floor-based stretches, or simply dive straight into a few rounds of sun salutations. With yoga there are no rules, and that’s the best thing about it!
If you’re not sure where to start, why not try out a few online classes or videos until you feel confident to experiment a little by yourself?
Remember that there are several different styles of yoga, and what your best friend loves, you might hate! Find something that you enjoy to make committing time to yoga that much easier.
Beginners might like to start with:
- Hatha yoga
- Yin yoga
- Restorative yoga
# Tips for making the most of your at-home practice
Though really, you can practice yoga anytime, anywhere, here are a few tips to make the most of your at-home practice.
Have a clear space
Practising in a clear space will make it easier to turn your focus inwards during your practice.
Before you get onto your mat, take a few minutes to remove anything that might distract you from your practice. With that in mind, once you’re settled in your daily practice, a little mess can be a wonderful way to test your focus and really concentrate.
Set aside a time for practice
Choosing a particular time of day to practice will make it easier to commit.
You might like to do yoga before breakfast, during your lunch break, or before bed. This might also depend on the style of yoga that you’re practising. Slower classes can be great before bed, whilst faster-past classes are wonderful for helping to energise you in the mornings. This isn’t to say that you can’t practice vinyasa in the evenings and yin in the mornings! Remember that your practice is for you, so find what feels good.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Yoga doesn’t have to mean 1 hour of sun salutations. Yoga can be some gentle stretching followed by meditation, or you might even decide to spend the majority of your practice in savasana.
If you find yourself getting bored with your practice, why not change things up and find a new online teacher? Or experiment with the style of music that you listen to during your practice?
Creating your very own at-home yoga practice is one of the best ways to discover a deep connection with yoga as well as understand your mind and body on a deeper level.
By practising daily we can more easily adopt yoga as a habit, and feel all the better for it! Happy yoga-ing!