Yoga at Home

HOW TO START (OR CONTINUE) YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

Hi there you beautiful soul,

I’m excited that you are either starting or continuing your yoga practice! I am here to help guide the way on how to start yoga, what to expect from the asanas (poses), and how to continue to develop your practice!

First of all, make sure you have all of the proper yoga gear. You will need a yoga mat, and I highly recommend buying yoga props. The props that will elevate your practice include two blocks and a strap. Additional yoga props that I enjoy practicing with include an eye pillow, a bolster, incense, and a Tibetan singing bowl.

Next, carve out time during your week to practice. I surely don’t practice at the same time every day, but I make it an absolute priority to step on to my mat. Whether it is first thing in the morning, middle of the afternoon, or in the evening before bedtime. Keeping track of my yoga practice is helpful for me. It also helps me hold myself accountable for my practice. Just make sure you are setting aside time to connect to your mind, body, and soul through yoga.

Eventually, I would like to roll out an ebook, podcasts, and YouTube videos so I can verbally and visually cue you through asasas and flows. I know that everyone learns from a different technique. My motto has always been: see one, do one, teach one! As for now – while I am getting this platform tuned up –  I highly recommend using YouTube and searching “Alo Yoga.”

Alo has created a wide variety of content for both beginner and advanced yogis. They have a “7 Days of Gratitude” series, where 3 different teachers guide you through various flows. This week of yoga will give you insight to all of the possible variations yoga has to offer! Thank you Alo for creating free, knowledgeable content to those who can access it! It is truly amazing, and I plan to do the same so I can spread my positivity and kindness through teaching yoga!

SO, WHERE DO YOU START?

Step 1:  Buy your yoga mat and props. (*it is hard to start a yoga practice without a yoga mat*)

Golden Tip: Think of your yoga mat as a little investment. If you have the money to splurge, or a birthday coming up, or a future anniversary or holiday present, I highly recommend the Liforme Yoga Mat. The grip is truly amazing. I feel aligned, cushioned, and supported from this mat. It is by far the best yoga mat I have owned, and the price reflects the quality they have achieved from this product.

For reference here is my 4 year yoga journey with yoga mats.

My first yoga mat was one from Marshalls. Then my practice was sweaty, I didn’t like using yoga towels, and I wanted a sturdier non-slip grip. So, I bought my second yoga mat from Lululemon. I loved that mat so much, I still don’t have the heart to toss it even though I haven’t used it for almost 6 months! I can’t bring myself to see all those memories fade away; not yet at least. My third yoga mat, I got on sale, after being reminded that my second yoga mat had lost it’s grip from all of my love, sweat, and movement from my practice. This mat was from Prana. I loved the colors and thought the grip would be good (I tested it in the store). I was sorely disappointed, so I was on the hunt for a new yoga mat with the perfect grip.

The Universe answered my questions when I stepped into a yoga studio and asked the owner if I could “try out her mat.” It was love at first sight! The lines on it were impeccable for alignment. The grip was the sturdiest I had ever touched and flowed on. It had a strong natural rubber base so I felt cushioned and supported, but it wasn’t bulky looking; I was still close to the earth. Lastly, it was planet friendly since it uses naturally sourced sustainable rubber and a new heat-bonding process! Cool, right?

Step 2: YouTube “Alo Yoga 7 Days of Gratitude.”

Step 3: Start with Day 1. You may continue to practice every day, or take a day or two off in-between. If you are sore, that means you need yoga more in your life! Even just gentle stretching for 5 minutes counts!

Step 4: Record your yoga practice in your 7 day mind, body, and soul challenge worksheet!

Step 5: Keep a consistent practice! It truly is a wonderful feeling being on your mat, in your space, clearing your head, every day. Think of it more as an opportunity rather than a requirement.