We all know that our yoga and Pilates practice does us a world of good, but of course, it only does us good when we actually do it. Life is busy and sometimes you may find yourself struggling to get on your mat, so here are a few tips that work for me in case they help you too!
- My mat is my sanctuary, my happy place.
I do not view my yoga and Pilates practice as something I have to do, or another task on my to-do list. Getting on my mat is not a chore. I view it as my sanctuary away from my never ending to-do list, the stresses and strains of the day, a breather, an energising break, time for me, and my happy place.
Sometimes if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. If you view your yoga or Pilates practice as special “me time”, or as your refuge from a hectic day, rather than as something that’s on your to-do list as needing to be done, you may find yourself yearning to get on your mat like I do. How do you currently view your practice?
- Ask yourself what do you need right now?
So often when we “workout”, we do things that are heads tell us we need to do, but if you asked your body, it would give you a different answer. So remember to check in with your body and ask it, what does it need right now? Remember your mind and body are supposed to be on the same team! That’s the mind-body connection.
If your body is tired, give your body what it needs to feel better, maybe some relaxing stretching, gentle flow or an inversion. If your mind is super active and all over the place, try doing some balance work to focus your mind. Use your time on your mat to train your attention: focus on your breath, your technique or the feeling within a pose.
Personalise your practice to nurture you!
- Anything is better than nothing!
One really important lesson I have learnt is that any practise is better than no practise. When I was working on large corporate deals, the days were intense and long. Taking short movement or stretch breaks made such a difference to how I felt, physically, mentally, and energetically. Try taking exercise “snacks” frequently throughout the day, it really does make a difference, try it and you will see.
- Do more of what you enjoy.
If you do things you enjoy you are most likely to stick to it! Try different styles, different classes, find out what you enjoy doing and do more of that.
- Carve out time in your diary.
I always carve out time in my diary for my own practice. It’s essential for me to mark time out in my diary. If I don’t carve out that time and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment, that time gets easily taken away. For some people it helps to have a set time and day for their practice, such as regular classes they attend, or a set a specific time each day or weekly for homework.
6. Prioritise self-care.
Recognise the importance of self-care and make your yoga or Pilates practice a non-negotiable part of your self-care routine. Treat it as a time to recharge and rejuvenate both your body and mind.
My yoga and Pilates practice has become part of my lifestyle. I have a dedicated space and I consistently practice. To make something a lifestyle, it needs a little dedication and consistency until if forms a habit – a positive habit that you don’t want to give up and if you don’t do it, you miss it, and can’t wait to get back on track. Try different videos or classes on the Membership to mix things up and to keep your practice interesting.
If you have any questions, or if there is anything I can do to help you with your yoga and Pilates practice, please send me an email at info@elizabethnadine.com
Namaste
Elizabeth
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