So you know that yoga provides many benefits that would be great in your life – sense of calm, ability to be present during stressful times, and a great workout too. You’ve gotten over your anxiety when it comes to starting a new activity. You’re just too busy for yoga!
Just like in running, being consistent in a yoga practice is going to give you the best bang for your efforts. Whether you are looking to make gains in your yoga practice or simply want to compliment your running, here are 12 tips for fitting yoga into your busy life.
12 Tips If You’re Too Busy for Yoga
Finding Time
1. Find a couple studios near your house and place of work. They don’t have to become your favorite studios. They will be your convenient studios.
2. Keep your yoga mat and change of clothes in the car. Become familiar with the studio schedules so if you get out early or find some extra time, you will be able to jump into a class.
3. Or know where to find the schedule quickly. A lot of studios use the Mind-Body app to allow clients to book classes. I jump on there as I’m getting off of work to see what is available and what might fit into my day.
4. Find a studio with hours that work for you. Maybe you need a 5PM TGIF Happy Hour class. Or maybe you need a 6AM Power Hour class.
5. Do you have a weekly date with a friend? Perhaps try making it a yoga date instead of a lunch date. That way yoga does not add to your schedule.
Pixabay/geralt
Creating Habit
6. Learn a short sequence that you can do and pair it with a certain time of the day.
7. You could roll out of the bed and onto your yoga mat. Doing a morning yoga sequence to get the blood pumping and get you ready for the day.
8. Or, you could do a restorative sequence as you get into bed. Spinal twists, happy baby, reclined bound angle, and spin around to do Legs up the Wall/Headboard.
9. You could have a small routine that you do before lunch by your desk. Downward dogs before turkey sandwiches!
10. Pair your shorter runs with a YouTube yoga video for your cool down. Put your mat out to remind you when you return from your run and make sure the video is easy to turn on. Here are some of my favorite Yoga YouTube videos.
11. There are some phone apps that will teach you yoga poses and remind you to do some yoga each day. If you use your phone to organize your life, this may be a great option.
12. Find a class that consistently works with your schedule and commit to it.
Pixabay/MihaiParaschiv
A season for everything, including yoga
Also remember that, sometimes great and wonderful things like yoga don’t fit into your life all the time. Think of your life in respect to seasons. Yes, yoga can help you manage some of life’s stresses, but if the pain and struggle of trying to fit yoga into your life is overwhelming yoga’s benefits, consider waiting for the next season.
But! If yoga makes your life better, then hang on to it. Fit it in where you can, even if it’s just 3 sun salutations every morning before oatmeal. Gain consistency to gain the rewards.
Love this post. I’ve definitely been better about incorporating more yoga into my routine but find that somedays I just don’t have time. These tips are very useful!
I’m glad to hear that! I know there are a lot of tips out there, but I wanted to share some unusual ones that have worked for me.
Care to share a tip on how you have been incorporating yoga into your routine?
I’ve been taking a ‘yoga for runners’ class on Mondays.! Also, Lululemon in my town has started a summer yoga series that is free so I’m definitely going to take advantage of that.
I’ve also been trying to get on my mat 2-3 times a week on my own. Sometimes I get discouraged doing this because I still don’t feel like I know what I’m doing. But hey, at least I’m trying. I know I’ve mastered sun salutation, haha! I use youtube a lot and reach out to my yoga teacher friends for advice on sequences/breathing techniques.
Thanks Jackie. I love the idea of a “Yoga for Runners” class – it makes it sound less intimidating.
I understand that discouragement (and have heard it from another just yesterday). Getting on our mats anyway seems to be the most important part. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been trying to do 15 min of yoga at home every single day. I notice such a big difference when I do it regularly, but I’ve been struggling lately to maintain the habit. I like to do it before bed but sometimes I am just so ready for bed that even 15 min seems like too much! I need to somehow make it a nonnegotiable part of the routine… Brush teeth, Do yoga, Let dog out, THEN go to bed.
Thanks for sharing that 15 minutes makes a difference. Sometimes I make the excuse that a session will be too short… that’s all it is – an excuse.
Maybe you can’t brush your teeth until you do yoga?
I confess though, sometimes I even negotiate brushing my teeth at night. How awful is that!
I’ve been pleasantly surprised how much benefit I get from 15 min. But I have to do it every time. Consistency is key!
That is exactly what I was thinking too – 1st yoga, then brush teeth etc. It’s only in the past couple years that I finally always brush (and floss! my dentist is so proud). 🙂
One day I hope to make my dentist proud, too!