Do you find it hard to stay consistent with your yoga practice? If yes, you are in good company. Committing to a practice is hard, especially in our modern world with so many other things calling our attention all the time. However, (among many other benefits) committing to our yoga practice may be just what we need to overcome the feeling of constant busyness that is so unhealthy for us as sensitive people. Read below for 8 Tips to Commit to Your Yoga Practice as an HSP:
1) Set Your Intention – Just like in yoga class, we need to set an intention to know where to focus our energy. Consider what amount of yoga feels doable for you to commit to and set your intention. Make sure to consider all aspects of your intention such as the duration of your practice (start small), number of times per week and time of day so you are crystal clear on what you are setting out to do.
2) Start Small – There is a misconception that a practice needs to be long to be beneficial. This can lead to overwhelm and inaction, especially for highly sensitive people. Remember, even just 10 minutes of yoga a day can be enough to cultivate greater peace and wellbeing. Focus on consistency over length. You can always increase the duration over time.
3) Keep a Log of Your Practice – Research has shown that when we keep track of our goals, we are more likely to stick to them. Use whatever tracking method works best for you and celebrate yourself when you hit a milestone.
4) Any Yoga Counts - As an HSP I often find I am balancing my desire for ritual and routine in my practice with needing to go with the flow based on how I am feeling and how much energy I have. Depending on how you feel, you can do anything from passive yoga asana (poses) like restorative or yin yoga to a more vigorous flow. And your practice doesn’t have to always be asana, it could be meditation, or pranayama (breathing exercises). This allows you to stick with a consistent practice, regardless of your energy levels.
5) Keep Your Mat Out – As silly as it may seem, I find that if you keep your yoga mat out and ready to use, you are more likely to practice. Even if you don’t have a space in your home dedicated to your practice, you can try leaving your mat on your bedroom floor, in the living room or anywhere space allows. Try it and see if it works for you!
6) Remember Your Why – sometimes when we add things to our “should do” list, we can forget to focus we are doing them. What do you love about yoga? Is it feeling embodied in the present moment? Increased strength and flexibility? Stress reduction? Better sleep? Peace and clarity? Reminding yourself of your why will help return to your mat with more consistency.
7) Use an Accountability partner – Having someone hold you accountable is incredibly effective in helping you achieve your goals. You can commit with a yoga buddy or another friend who wants to support you in your goals. As a Wellness Coach, a big part of what I do is help hold my clients accountable to their goals and intentions. Learn more about my Wellness Coaching for HSPs.
8) Start again – the true difference between if you stay committed to your goals or not, is not about being perfect and never missing a day. It is about how quickly you bounce back. Remember, every day is a new opportunity to start again.
9) Join me on Tuesdays at 12pm EDT – if it works with your schedule, start your commitment with Livestream Yoga with me on Tuesday’s at 12pm EDT. We rotate types of classes each week. Learn more! You can also start your commitment with my new class, Re-Commit to Your Practice. Join for FREE with my free class pass, or 7-day free membership trial!
With love and Sensitivity,
Christie