If you’ve been feeling like you’re in a rut, then trying new things to freshen up your yoga practise for spring may help to revitalise you. Results of the pandemic, such as fewer in-person class offerings, have probably affected your yoga practice in some way. Maybe you’ve even noticed that you’re practicing less. Research shows that changing your exercise routine and moving your body in different ways isn’t just good for the body, but it’s also good for the brain, where you’re forming new neural connections during new movements. Changing up your yoga routine may also help you to remember why you practice in the first place, which is likely because you feel really good when you’re making it a priority to practice regularly.
If you want to reinvigorate your relationship with yoga and you’re unsure of where to begin, here are some ideas to get you going:
Freshen Up Your Yoga Practise
1. A Group VS An Independent Practice
There are two types of yoga practitioners, those that prefer the group class and those that prefer a solitary, more private practice. Whichever category you fall into, try dipping your toe into the other. If you’re an independent, but you’re not ready for in-person classes yet, try a virtual live class. For the groupies, try rolling your mat out at home. If this is a challenge for you, start with 5 minutes each day and increase the length of time you flow on your own a week at time; try this for at least 3 weeks. Learning how to make your next move on the mat based on what feels right to you is an empowering space to work within.
2. In-Person VS Not
If you haven’t tried a virtual class yet, you must. It’s hard to feel silly trying new things when you don’t have an audience. In addition to virtual class offerings, there are many apps that offer prerecorded yoga classes, as well as a wide selection of online videos, most of which are free. If you’re not the techy kind, try viewing print publications or online articles with pictures of postures and routines. Just one image may jog your memory of a long-forgotten posture, especially if you’re the independent kind.
3. Try a different style
The 3 styles of yoga I would urge everyone to rotate right now are yoga tone classes, gentle yoga flows, and a beginner-friendly class. A yoga tone class will push you out of your comfort zone, while a gentle yoga flow will squeeze out those sore muscles. These two practices can be complimentary to one another. The basics of yoga are always at the root of any flow, but whenever I revisit the basics, I think of Bruce Lee’s quote, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” I’ve seen a lot of yoga friends get caught up in things like arm-balancing, and while arm-balancing has a place in yoga, never underestimate the power of a solid foundation.
4. Try a different time of day
If you exercise routinely, you probably have an AM or PM preference. Whatever your preference, do the opposite. Take it one step further, and do the same routine 3 times over 3 days, once in the morning, once midday, and once at night. The results of this experiment will likely surprise you.
5. Change your scenery
If you’re loving the yoga tone classes, treat yourself to some new dumbbells in an appealing color. If you’ve never practiced outside, take an outdoor class or practice in a natural setting, like the park or beach. If you always practice in your bedroom, try practicing in the living room. Simply alter your view and see how it feels.
6. Don’t forget about meditation
Meditation and yoga typically go together, but sometimes we spend far more time flowing through the asanas than taking the time out to sit and meditate. If haven’t been meditating, take five minutes to listen to guided meditation as soon as you can. There is plenty of audio available on the web, and if you find that you like the guided meditation, there are several apps to choose from.
Steeping out of your comfort zone is good for you. Challenging yourself with new things can lead to inner growth and an overall boost in happiness. Keep it simple when trying new things, like trying a new restaurant or wearing a color you usually don’t. Consider your own yoga comfort zone. Now, strike a new posture, trust a strange narrator to lead you through a meditation, and have some fun playing with your practice.
You might like to read:
Good Mornings: Morning Rituals For Wellness, Peace And Purpose
In this inspirational guide, Linnea Dunne, bestselling author of Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living, shows how building a life-affirming ritual into your morning routine is an act of self-care that can benefit both your physical and mental health, enhance your productivity and positively influence your day.
Whether it’s a dedicated yoga practice at sunrise, mindfulness meditation just after waking, journalling while you sip your morning coffee, or listening to birdsong in the back garden, a morning ritual can enhance your health and wellbeing, and bring increased contentment, clarity and purpose to your day.
Photography by Elena Joland
