Strengthen Your Yoga Practice with These Simple Tips

If you’ve practiced yoga for more than five minutes, chances are you know that it comes with its challenges and benefits, even at the beginner level. And it goes without saying that the higher you go in yoga, the better the benefits, but sometimes, it can feel like opportunities for challenge become thin. Along with that, inspiration can wane as your yoga routine becomes too routine.

If you continue to practice yoga without a healthy dose of challenge, it can be hard to maintain motivation for the long-term. That’s why it’s important to remain open to stepping up your yoga game. If you’re ready to take your yoga practice to the next level, consider these tips from GabeYoga Academy.

Set new goals.

First of all, setting goals will help you to stay motivated and accountable to your improvement. Yoga Journal notes it’s best to establish realistic goals that you can accomplish, though you want them to be challenging. Perhaps you can set out to try one new pose each week and/or to hold certain poses for 15 seconds longer. If you currently practice three times a week, maybe you can commit to practicing four times a week for the next month, and then five times a week after that.

Even if you have a busy schedule, you can still set goals for practicing yoga. If you only have a few minutes to practice, that still counts toward your progress -- and the beauty of yoga is you can practice it anywhere, even at work! Plus, taking quick breaks at work can relieve stress, which can improve your performance at work.

You can use smartphone apps, such as Daily Yoga and Fitstar Yoga, to track your goals. If you’re going to use your smartphone in your practice, make sure you safeguard your device with a durable phone case.

Keep practicing at home.

It’s common for people to fall behind with their practice when they’re not able to attend classes at their local studio. Don’t let this happen to you! Think of ways to make yoga convenient. For instance, you can stream classes at home so you have access to your favorite yoga sessions and meditation music wherever you are. Just make sure you’re not practicing in a cluttered and messy home as this could make it harder to focus which can be harmful to your practice.

Make sure you have the proper equipment and setting.

It may sound like it doesn’t matter, but having the right yoga equipment is important. Make sure you have comfortable, breathable apparel (e.g., pants/shorts, tops, sports bras, etc.). Also, it’s essential to use a quality yoga mat that's made with more natural than synthetic materials. If you need additional support during your poses so that you can reap the full benefits, consider adding props like bolsters, blocks, and straps.

In terms of setting, remember that your surroundings can have a profound impact on how you feel. That means cleaning up your home isn’t just a matter of removing dirt and clutter, or searching Angi for a professional who cleans furniture; it’s also about reducing negativity and getting in the right frame of mind.

Compare yourself only to yesterday’s you. 

As Body Positive Yoga explains, many yoga enthusiasts make the mistake of comparing themselves to others. This can end up significantly discouraging you and lowering your self-confidence. And besides, measuring your progress by the performance of others doesn’t provide an accurate gauge of your success. The only thing that matters is that you are moving toward your personal goals and growing your practice each day. If you’re improving on a regular basis, you’re on the right path.

It requires a dedication to improvement and the determination to stay consistent, but anyone can take their yoga practice to the next level. Remember to establish realistic goals. Invest in a streaming stick, breathable apparel, a good yoga mat, props, and storage for your mat and props. Make sure you are taking classes from a knowledgeable, encouraging teacher, and stop comparing yourself to other yogis. Most importantly, enjoy your journey and the benefits that come with it!

Visit GabeYoga Academy to learn the healing secrets of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation.

Blog by Justin Bennett

Image via Burst