A new year has begun, giving us a much-anticipated fresh start. Now’s the ideal time to embrace new mindful habits and explore different self-care techniques. 

Practicing yoga is a healthy habit you should consider incorporating into your lifestyle if you haven’t already. It brings you peace of mind, unites you with your deeper self, and allows you to establish a solid connection with your body. 

If you’ve already been exploring different yoga techniques but haven’t quite found what you’ve been looking for, or if you’ve been feeling a little out of it while practicing lately, we’ve got some easy tips for you to build a proper sustainable practice that lasts the year, and many more to come. 

15 minutes a day can keep the stress away

The first step goes out without saying: make time to practice daily. We know that sometimes the number of chores you have can be overwhelming, but setting some time aside to practice yoga even for just 15 minutes will help you restore, unplug, and relax before getting back to reality. You’d be surprised what a few minutes of yoga can do. And you can always resume your chores once you’re done! Trust us, they’re not going anywhere. 

What is your body saying?

Listen to what your body has to say! If you’re feeling exhausted or if a muscle suddenly starts to ache mid-practice, it’s your body trying to tell you that something’s wrong. Don’t push through it till the end – you might hurt yourself. Yoga is all about establishing a healthy connection with your body, so pay attention to what it’s telling you and always remember that it’s okay to stop and take a breather when you’re not feeling well. 

No studio? No problem

If you want to save some time by not driving to the studio, you can set up your own little yoga corner at home. Make sure it’s a quiet and warm spot, with plenty of natural light. You can have fun personalising it with plants, scented candles, and flower vases. Now you have a small space that is exclusively reserved for your yoga practice at home!

A moment of relaxation is key

Another thing to keep in mind is including moments of stillness into your flow. So while you switch from one pose to another, take a moment to breathe and relax. You can close your eyes to establish a deeper connection between your mind and body. Without moving, inhale and exhale for a few seconds, and calm yourself before resuming your practice. 

A round of applause for yourself 

At the end of your yoga practice, you will feel very much rewarded. Take a second to soak it all in and thank your mind and body for their efforts. Recognise the fact that you did great and deserve a pat on the back! Congratulations.