This July was one of the hottest months on the planet in a great many years, and one thing I've found tends to happen during extremely hot times, is my practice can begin to dip or slip. With all the extra heat and energy in the atmosphere, it can make simple activities more difficult, make us more sluggish, and one thing that can often be compromised is our consistency!
This week we're focusing on ways in which we can combat that difficulty, and foster a more consistent Yoga Practice!
Consistency is one of the fundamental aspects of our yoga practice that has a profound effect on the quality and benefits that we may receive from the practice, and it often gets overlooked. Whether you're a seasoned yogi, or a newcomer on this wonderful personal path, understanding the significance of consistency can transform your practice and enrich your life with the full benefits of your practice.
Consistency is the thread that weaves together progress and growth in our yoga practice, and can look a lot of different ways depending on the person. Finding ways to engage with your practice on a regular or semi-regular basis can not only increase your immediate benefits, (Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Clarity), but it also makes it easier to keep up and solidify the good habits you're creating. When you show up for yourself on the mat consistently you establish a profound connection between the mind and body, and your practice becomes a more integral part of your lifestyle, as opposed to a temporary interest.
So How can we Practice our Consistency?
The best way to start is to keep it simple, so lets break it down into 3 steps.
1. Set Clear Intentions: Clearly defining our goals provides us with a sense of purpose and motivation to stay committed, and making those goals attainable in the beginning can help build our momentum with consistency. Reflect on what brought you to the mat, and what you want to achieve with your practice. Start Small.
2. Create a Realistic Schedule: One thing we've been working on in recent weeks is building a complimentary schedule that allows us to engage in our practice in a realistic, and regular way. Whether that's through incorporating breathwork into our work days, or setting aside time to practice even just a little. We at Home always recommend our students to come to the studio at least 2 times a week. We find that the people who have a dedicated time and day for going to yoga every week have the most success for creating a long term practice. We've even added new early morning classes to make it easier for you to get to class. Download the Walla app for the easiest ways to book your classes. The power of consistency can be expressed by our ability to make the time for ourselves, no matter how little.
3. Find Joy in the Journey: One of the most important drivers of consistency is motivation, so we cannot forget to find joy in all the little victories along the way and throughout our days. Our path is seldom every about the destination, and more about the journey, so embracing the milestones and victories we experience is absolutely vital! When we can find joy in the process, our practice becomes a more delightful and rewarding experience, making consistency an enjoyable part of your daily life.
Being consistent can be one of the biggest things we can do to support ourselves in anything we do. Though I too find myself struggling with consistency at times, showing up with self-compassion, and forgiving yourself when you fall short can make STAYING consistent possible, and all the more rewarding. Try to find a few small ways in which you can bring consistency and regularity into your weekly routine, and see how that enhances your practice!
We have some wonderful workshops and things going on at the studio including our Monthly Reiki Share with Liana Soria on 8/6. We will be having an Intro to Yoga Class this month as well, for anyone who's itching to start a new practice and dive in. We also have a Women's Health Practice at the end of the month, led by Ashley Llano! There's more to check out online or on our social media! We hope to see you in class this week!
With Love,
Adriane and the Home Yoga Team