Online Yoga (Making the Switch)
May 6, 2021
by Brian Friedman
Have you heard this already?
"I just can't do yoga online ... it doesn't work for me."
I think (as of this blog post) I've heard it 2,352 times. Or at least somewhere in that realm :)
And I understand because a lot of people have to overcome certain obstacles when they're practicing at home.
It can feel overwhelming.
But what if I were to share some remarkable tips to help you make the transition from "in-studio" to "online"?
Shall I show you now?
Make A Sacred Space
I've been practicing online yoga for nearly two decades.
As a student back in the day, it used to be DVDs ... now that I think about it, I used VHS tapes, too.
I loved the flexibility of practicing on my timeline instead of worrying about missing a class at the studio.
Don't get me wrong, I went to the studio when I could, but my schedule was so crazy I opted for "online" yoga most of the time so I could stay on track with my practice.
One trick that helped me the most was creating my own yoga space.
Even when I lived in a loft, I made it a point to move the coffee table, clear some space, and lay down my mat.
For the next hour or so that was my sacred space to practice yoga.
After practice, I'd roll up my mat, and bring the room back to its original function.
At one point in my life, I was fortunate enough to have a yoga room. That room was my sacred space. Everyone in the house knew. Everyone in the house respected it.
Our yoga students from all over the world have sent us photos of their practice space.
If you create your yoga space, it gives your practice a sense of importance, and you're more likely to make it happen.
Schedule It
When you go to a yoga studio, you're probably sticking to some kind of schedule.
You know class begins at a certain time, so you prioritize your daily "to-dos" so you can get to class.
Am I right?
Do the same thing for your online classes.
Either or ... Either first thing in the morning or last thing at night ... schedule your yoga class first. It's important to build your day around you and your needs. That way, you'll have the energy to get through the day and have some much-needed me-time.
And be specific.
"At 10 am, I will unroll my yoga mat in my sacred space" is much more powerful than, "I'll do yoga in the morning."
Treat It With Urgency
How likely are you to skip a doctor's appointment?
I'm guessing pretty low.
Why?
Because it's important!
It's important to your health and wellbeing. The same can be said for your yoga practice.
When you see the pop-up for your scheduled yoga class, honor it. Don't ignore it.
Take Action
It can feel strange to try something new. Even something like taking yoga classes online.
A lot of people feel the same way.
But now you have very simple and effective action items to help you stay on track with your yoga practice.
It would be a shame to lose all of your hard-earned progress. Now you've got a way to keep moving forward.
Make a commitment, right now, to give these amazing tips a try.
You've got this!
Brian
PS: Here's a "user-friendly" online option for your yoga.
