The New Year is a time when we assess our lives and make intentions to change certain habits and areas of life. If you have been skipping classes or your home practice, this is the perfect time to make the intention to make more time for yoga in 2011.
Don’t call it a New Year’s Resolution because those get dropped by the end of January. Make a general intention to start living healthier and include yoga in your fitness routine. Whether you are just starting out or have been out of practice for a while, the benefit of yoga is that it is fairly easy to incorporate into your schedule.
Yoga can be practiced anywhere. In most cases, it is best to begin your practice with classes, either at a local yoga studio or gym. However, if you can’t afford the membership or don’t have time to get to class, you can practice at home. Even if you practice in a studio, you can supplement the time at the studio with a home class.
There isn’t a lot of expensive equipment to buy. Often, people end up spending a lot of money when they make resolutions to exercise more. Whether the money is spent on an expensive gym membership or a home gym, treadmill and other exercise equipment, the investment can be significant.
This isn’t a problem with yoga. When you set up your home practice, you just need a mat, a few props and some yoga DVDs. If you have been out of practice for a while, you probably still have the mat and props. All you need is a new yoga DVD or two, so you can maintain your interest.
You will need to create a new routine that includes a regular time for your yoga practice. Choose the time of day that fits your schedule and personal preference. You may find practicing in the morning to increase your energy or at the end of the day for the relaxation benefits. The time doesn’t matter, but what is important is that you find the time that works for you – and stick with it.