3 Steps to set up for a Successful Yoga Practice at Home.
I’ve taught many students how to begin an at home practice and I want to share that information with you in this blog.
Many students want to have a home yoga practice because they know how great they feel after a yoga class. Practicing at home takes time and discipline, it’s not easy. With a few steps to help you get started you can get start practicing and feel the benefits every day. I want to start by telling you about my own struggles.
I started practicing yoga in my 20’s. I tried a few studio classes and took a course when I was in college. The books we studied seemed old, and the pictures of the poses were odd-looking men with beards in strange outfits. The teachers were good, but I didn’t develop a connection to any or learn how to practice yoga on my own. I tried to start but something always come up that took my attention away from my practice. Years later I was a stay-at-home mom. I needed something to keep me healthy and strong for my young family. I started to practice on my own but always looked for a teacher who I could learn from. There were no studios close to me but eventually I found a training program and became a teacher myself. This expanded my understanding of yoga, and soon I began teaching students. The classes helped my students and helped me practice. I still struggled with an at home practice until I started to record some of my own classes. I used them at home to do yoga. It was easy to turn on the recording and roll out my mat without thinking about what to do next. The recordings kept me on track, and I learned what steps to take to keep myself going. My students also wanted to practice at home between classes. They were looking for videos that would help them practice what we did in the studio. One told me she wished she had a recording of me to practice with at home. Three years ago, I started to work with ideas and found an online platform to host my recordings. Now I have an active online studio with lived streamed and recorded classes so my students can practice with me anytime. Students love it and I am happy to be helping so many people.
Before I made the online classes I asked students what they wanted. They asked for something easy to use. They said they loved coming to class because it kept them accountable. They also liked the community of a class with others. They wanted a simple routine to do when they woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep. They also told me they were busy and wanted short classes that would fit into their schedules.
I listened to them and understood their problems. I struggled with the same things years ago. I built an online membership with all the above elements. I also suggest 3 steps to set up for a successful practice, that you can use for any teacher or studio’s online classes.
1. Planning and making yourself and your practice a priority is the first Pick a time during your day when you know you will have 10 to 20 minutes to yourself. Write that time down in your calendar and label it as a Yoga Appointment. Treat this as you would any other appointment and try not to schedule something else at that time.
2. Create a place for your Yoga Appointment. Look around your house or place of work and find a small area where you can leave your yoga mat out or place a blanket on a chair that you can use. Each time you walk by this spot stop and take a moment to remember when your next yoga practice is. Think about your next Yoga Appointment and how good it will feel to practice. I believe that people are stronger when they take care of themselves.
3. Think about how much time you have and you’re your intention for practice is. Are you looking for more strength and energy or a relaxing way to sleep better. Choose a video or recording that matches your needs. The videos on stream.mindbodyspirityoga.com are labeled with the class intentions. The video information includes the length…10, 15, 20 or 60 minutes. They are designed to be suitable for most people. Chair yoga videos are also available in 10- or 20-minutes length. There are also live streaming classes from the studio 3 times a week. This makes students feel part of the class. They are easy to access at home and when you’re away from home. Each week a new live stream recording is added for your convenience.
What makes this different than a free You Tube video? I am available by phone or email and can help you with any questions you have about the practice. The online platform also has a 24-hour help line so you can ask for help with the site.
Here are a few comments from students who use the online studio.
@ Pam,
You're welcome! But I should be the one thanking you, I've done a few of the sessions and they are wonderful... During my time away from studio classes I have tried numerous yoga classes on YouTube. None of them kept my attention like yours. I will be signing up for more. Hopefully at some point will be able to make it back to some of the morning classes at your studio. Do miss them. Betty
@ Thanks for the new content, Pam. Your online classes are helping me get through these days both mentally and physically.
Be well and stay safe. Hope to see you in person soon!
Mary
@ I like the lower back video. It helped me while on vacation. I had been sitting on the train and my hips and back were tight and stiff. I did the video as well as doing some of the stretches throughout the day and felt better.
Thanks for the videos.
Mikie
@ Relieving stress and tension is so important, not only for our body but our minds also 💕 I never knew how rewarding yoga could be until I started practicing it! My back doctor recommended it to me and at first, I was apprehensive about it because of what I “thought “yoga was like 🙄 and because of all my physical restrictions due to several surgeries!
After much hesitation, I reached out to a friend (Pam Peterson), a yoga studio owner back in my hometown! I started out with private lessons because I didn’t want to look like a fool (not knowing what I was doing) and because I didn’t know what I would be able to do and not do! Pam worked patiently with me to teach me how I could adjust movements to suit my needs and restrictions.
As you can see from the picture, I still use Pam’s techniques to help me feel better! It’s the little things in life that can really show BIG results in our lives! The part I miss most is her voice guiding me through the movements and knowing she is there for me 🥰 I was so happy to find out she is now offering virtual, online yoga classes 😁 So now I can get all the benefits back that I truly love 💗 Thank You, Pam, for all you have done for me 😉
I hope you’ll join me in the studio or online. Register at: https://mindbodyspirityoga.heymarvelous.com/shop
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
Thank you,
Pam