Guest post by Liz Grant (@LizGrantYoga), local Miami-based yoga instructor.
Finding time for self-care can feel like a never ending battle with our fast-paced lifestyles. And once you finally do carve out some time, it becomes even more challenging to choose how you'll spend it. An hour of movement and sweat? Or some quiet time with a book? Maybe call your best friend who you haven't seen in weeks?
One thing I do know is that I've never regretted spending an hour of my time practicing yoga. From the physical benefits to the mental, there's many reasons why I recommend you commit yourself to holding a consistent yoga practice for an entire year.
Read the list further below, but remember:
If you practice yoga once a week, you will change your mind.
If you practice twice a week, you will change your body.
If you practice every day, you will change your life.
- You’ll feel amazing. The honeymoon phase: when you start to move and stretch your body the prana (life force!) begins to flow and you release stagnant energy/tension. Your mind: clearer. Your body: more open. You might become mildly obsessed with yoga and want to learn everything and practice a lot and tell everyone about it.
- More patience. After a few months of moving through the poses it’s natural to look around the room or on Instagram and want to do what she or he is doing. Having goals helps to inspire your to practice but yoga is not linear and often times in order to move ahead you have to go back and spend some more time in the previous poses. Compare less, look within more 😊
- The power of surrender. There will be times when you feel like your practice has reached a plateau or there’s a pose you just can’t get. This is why I say at least one year – because it’s tempting to start practicing less and less when you’re not moving forward. But this is where the magic happens – this is when you choose to stay even when the mind is frustrated. This is when you stop trying so hard to get somewhere and surrender to your breath. Practice letting go and trust that when it’s time you will get that handstand or backbend or whatever it is you’re seeking.
- More self love. Your mat becomes a place where you can slow down, check in with your self in a world where it can feel like we are constantly propelling forward. Stay with that uncomfortable feeling you’re holding onto so that you can let it go. You’re clearing the pathway to your heart ❤️
- Body goals. Prepare to love and appreciate your body + look longer and leaner. I haven’t been to the gym in many years. Just yoga!
