How to apply your yoga practice to everyday situations
You have your regular classes, your favourite teachers, and your go-to yoga videos… now what?
Support helps a yoga practice flourish, but no one should have to sell themselves short by staying restricted to a mat. The real magic happens through taking the epiphanies from the experiences on the mat and integrating them into everyday life.
So, how can you make yoga outside your mat happen? Here are a few tips to weave the teachings into real-life situations.
Find Your Happy Place
When you step away from the mundane and give yourself the space to receive, it gives you that extra breathing room to remember what’s important. Whether it’s meditating in the woods, a well-deserved trip to Scandinave Spa, or a paddleboard session on Alta Lake, taking time out of your day to refill your cup is never time wasted. Connection to self and the rest of the world means having time for rest, play, curiosity, and the moments that bring you joy. Connecting is the spice of life and acts as the true foundation of yoga.
Meditate From Anywhere
Can’t get to your happy place? We have good news: you can connect anywhere you are. Standing in line at Nesters? It’s a good time to become aware of your body and the sensations you’re experiences. Are you evenly weighted through your feet? Is your tailbone lengthening down? Are your shoulders soft? Can you let go of tension in your face? Doing these little “check ins” during random moments throughout your day make a big difference. Suddenly, these patterns might start to fade away as better habits emerge.
Stay Present During Challenging Moments
Yoga outside of studio classes or your home practice means applying the principles of yoga to the conversations and interactions you’re having. Sometimes, it’s hard. It’s hard to keep your cool when everything starts going wrong. It’s hard to take a deep breath and practice kindness or set boundaries when your child/spouse/co-worker etc. rattles you. Yet it’s these moments that make a regular yoga practice so rewarding since it acts as preparation for these tough situations. So when you find yourself in these circumstances, remain present with yourself and your emotions. It’s ok to be sad, angry, or frustrated. When you check in with yourself, it may give you the chance to respond differently from your initial knee-jerk reaction. It might also allow you to show up with a lot more clarity and grace which is a huge help during challenging moments.
Yoga outside of an asana practice means bringing the teachings into unconventional places. Yoga isn’t just downward dog and it isn’t just something performed on the mat. Applying the lessons of yoga to everyday situations can have a profound impact on every aspect of living. What have you learned from your yoga practice that has made a profound impact on your life? Let us know in the comments!