5 Tips To Become More Mindful During Your Yoga Practice
Mindfulness is a popular topic recently, and many people are exploring ways to bring mindfulness practices into their daily or weekly routine. If you are looking for ways to become more mindful in your daily life, what better way to build this habit than by starting with mindfulness in your yoga practice? The habits that we cultivate on our yoga mat tend to naturally spill out into our daily life, and mindfulness habits are no different.
One of the main barriers that people come across when trying to begin their yoga journey is lack of access to a gym or yoga studio. Whether this is due to time restraints, financial restraints, or other reasons, many people believe that these things stand in the way of building a strong yoga practice and also a strong mindfulness practice. Luckily, that is not the case! An at home yoga practice is a perfectly viable way to begin or continue your yoga journey. Whether you have a lot of space or a little, expensive yoga equipment or home made props, you can find a mindful yoga practice right at home. Below are some tips to help you set the stage for a mindful at-home practice:
- Clear out the clutter
A clutter-free space equals a clutter-free mind, and that is an important element of any yoga practice. Tidying up your space before your yoga practice gives your mind less distractions and helps you to focus inwards on yourself rather than outwards on your environment. Before beginning your practice, put away anything that is out of place, quickly sweep or dust, or organize your items in a way that gives you peace. Taking a few minutes to do these tasks can make a world of difference when it comes to being grounded in the present during your yoga practice. - Create an atmosphere
If you find it tough to become grounded during your yoga practice, it may help to begin with a space that feels calm and peaceful. Set the mood for your practice by lighting a candle, diffusing essential oils, burning incense, or putting on some soft music. You can try adding citrus, mint, or lavender scents to really enhance relaxation. On top of creating this relaxing atmosphere, be sure to gather and place blankets, yoga straps, or anything you may need for your yoga practice beforehand so that they are ready to grab when you need them. - Seek out quiet
One of the easiest ways to become agitated during your yoga practice is through distracting noises in your space. There is nothing like trying to focus on your breathing only to be disturbed by loud music, a dog barking, or a truck passing by. Having a quiet space to practice yoga is ideal, but it is not always possible. Do your best to limit background noise and auditory distractions as much as possible. You can do this by putting your phone on silent, asking others in your home to keep their noise levels down while you practice (perhaps agree upon a set schedule that works for you both), or use soft background noise or noise canceling headphones to block out unwanted noise. - Add meaningful decor
Your yoga space should have items that inspire you, make you happy, and bring you peace. Are you into house plants? Do you have a favourite quote or art print? Do twinkle lights bring you joy? If it lifts you up, add them to your space and look at them every time you are ready to do yoga. This will help you to feel grounded and energized, which lets you stay in the moment during your practice. If you are practicing yoga in a common space that you cannot easily decorate, find a small token such as a framed print or figurine that you can set out nearby every time you practice yoga. - Reject judgment and expectation
One of the final things you can do to improve mindfulness in your yoga practice is to leave expectations and judgment at the door when you enter your space. If you find yourself frustrated with how your practice is going because it wasn’t what you expected, or you are comparing yourself to your more flexible friend or yoga instructor, it is time to let these things go. When you let go of things that do not serve you and enter your practice with an open mind, you will leave your mat feeling more in touch with yourself every time. While this is easier said than done, one of the best ways to reject judgment and expectation is to consciously choose to send these things away before you unroll your mat.
With the 5 above tips in place, you are well on your way to building a more mindful yoga practice. Even with the perfect setup at home, it can still be challenging for some people to find complete peace during their practice, and that is perfectly normal. Rest assured that with regular practice, it becomes easier to be mindful both on and off your yoga mat. If you are looking for a studio to begin your yoga journey with, contact us today.
