Ways to Maximize the Benefits of Your Yoga Practice at Home

Since recent statistics show about 36 million Americans currently doing yoga, it’s clear that people are really embracing the practice. In fact, this number is expected to grow to as much as 50 million by 2021. If you’ve already dipped your toe in the water but aren’t able to attend class due to pandemic restrictions, you can bring your yoga practice to a higher level at home by taking advantage of certain tools.

Put Technology to Work

Since you’re not able to take regular classes at your yoga studio, you’ll need to consider other options. Many studios are offering online classes during the pandemic, but if your studio isn’t, you’ll need to find a type of yoga and level of practice that suits your abilities and preferences.

A streaming media player is a great alternative for these times when you can’t leave the house for class. Choose a compatible player and you can access different apps that connect you with streaming classes right in your living room.

Yoga is most beneficial when done regularly, so why not use your phone to set and maintain monthly goals by using yoga apps? The great thing about yoga apps is that they’re readily accessible on your phone, and you can practice at any time at home. Most apps will also have a reminder alarm so you won’t lose track of your goal. 

Try Something New

When it comes to practicing yoga, you can get stuck in a rut if you don’t get out of your comfort zone sometimes. You can stretch your limits by doing some of the yoga poses that you don’t like or find difficult. If you’re up to it, you can even give intense yoga poses like peacock pose and scorpion pose a try.

Another thing that may make a difference is heading outdoors as long as you practice social distancing. According to Jeanne Heileman, practicing yoga outside can develop your balancing skills and muscle stability. There’s also the added benefit of experiencing nature’s calming effects. If you think you may have chosen the wrong practice or you’re not sure you’re getting the same joy from it, you might need to switch things up. There are at least 14 different types of yoga, so you should definitely make sure you’re doing the one that’s right for you.

You Should Really Meditate

Meditation is more than just closing your eyes and keeping still, but it’s not the easiest thing to do well. If meditation is a challenge for you, these tips from The Chopra Center can help. While meditation requires you to be comfortable, you’re not expected to completely clear your mind. It’s actually suggested that you let your thoughts flow naturally as you meditate.

It’s also helpful to use a mantra for a part of the meditation exercise. Ideally, you should allocate between 20 and 30 minutes for meditation, but you can make use of the time you have and work your way up. When done properly, the benefits of meditation can include improved memory, reduced stress, and a more robust immune system, and it can also help you practice gratitude.

The benefits of yoga are well documented, and it’s crucial that you keep up your practice even in the face of COVID-19. It makes sense to do what you can to make sure you’re getting everything you can out of it. Open your mind to new ways to explore your practice so you can make the most of this fantastic discipline.

About the author: Sheila Johnson was a successful career woman working at a fast-paced tech company, working 80-hour work weeks to climb the corporate ladder. She decided to leave the corporate world and focus on her health and wellness routine. She created WellSheila.net as a place to not only share her story, but inspire others to put their physical and mental health first with a regular wellness routine and daily self-care.