5 Tips To Prioritize Your Yoga Practice This Fall
written by Hannah Moran and various other Inner Fire Yoga Teachers
What do you think of when you hear the word “Autumn”? Fall colors, football games, back to school, change of seasons, holidays - but where does yoga fit into all of this?
Every time the seasons change, many of us go into busy-bee mode. Fall is a very active time of year for a lot of us, after all! School is back in session, the holidays are approaching, and life generally tends to get busier for most people. It can be difficult to prioritize your yoga practice amidst it all, but it doesn’t have to be!
Fall is arguably the time of year that we need yoga the most, in fact. When life gets busy, we get stressed. When we get stressed, where better to turn than your yoga mat for some much-needed relief? Our mind/body wellness should theoretically always be a top priority, but it’s especially important in times of stress and turmoil.
We want you to be successful in making your wellness a top priority! Keep reading to learn some tips that will help you prioritize a strong yoga practice this Fall.
#1: Set clear and attainable goals.
Let’s talk about the clarity part first: set goals that are specific so that you can clearly tell whether or not you’ve reached that goal. For example, “attend lots of yoga classes this fall” is a less powerful goal statement than “attend 3 or more classes every week from now through December 15th.” See the difference? The former is fairly subjective and vague, while the latter is quite specific and clear - we’ll definitely know whether or not we’ve reached that goal.
Now, let’s address the attainability piece: we want to set ourselves up for success when setting yoga goals - or any goals, for that matter. If we constantly set goals and don’t reach them, we’ll be disenchanted with goal-setting and give it up altogether. We also don’t want our goals to be too easy. A little challenge now and then is a very healthy thing.
Ask yourself - and really be honest here - how often can I realistically attend yoga classes? Take a look at our class schedule (don’t forget to look at virtual and on demand options, too) and create a plan that is actually doable for you. Not all of us have the availability to practice every day in the studio for 90 minutes - and that’s 100% okay. Take a few minutes to audit your weekly life schedule and pencil in some yoga classes wherever you see an opportunity.
The main thing to keep in mind here is that we manifest that which we put out into the universe. If you’re serious about manifesting your goals into reality, then clarity and attainability are paramount.
#2: Create a routine of frequent yoga - make it a regular part of your life.
Regular, consistent routines are hands-down the best way to build habits. Choose a handful of class times throughout the week that work for you on a regular basis, and make it a priority to attend them every week.
Pre-register for all your week’s classes on a Monday and add them to your calendar. If distractions and conflicts arise (which is almost sure to happen), practice saying NO to those things. Politely explain to your friends and family and maybe even yourself, “I’m sorry, I have a yoga class at that time. I’m not going to be able to make it.” This is the reality of making yoga a high priority in your life, and it takes time to cultivate. Be patient with yourself, and be consistent.
#3: Find a routine that works best for you.
Time of day matters. Location matters. Frequency matters. Style of yoga matters. Everyone’s routine is a little bit different. Are you an early-bird yogi? Are you a die-hard Hot Yogi? Do you prefer the East or West side studio?
Ask yourself the when, where, who, what, and why of your yoga practice - your yoga routine will become clear to you after you answer those questions. And if you’re not sure what the answers are yet, just start practicing whenever and wherever you can! You’ll learn as you go. Before you know it, you’ll fall right into your own personal yoga routine.
#4: Make the most of every moment on the mat.
When you’re on your yoga mat, be on your yoga mat. This might sound nonsensical, but being present really is a huge factor in how much you get out of your yoga practice. We know that time is precious and it never feels like there’s enough of it, so be sure to take full advantage of the time that you’ve carved out specifically for yoga. When the teacher says “concentrate on your breath,” really put some effort into that, rather than allowing your brain to hijack your experience. Treat your yoga time with the respect it deserves and be as present as you can possibly be.
Yoga is like a moving meditation. It’s an opportunity to recharge your battery. Every time you step onto your mat, your brain should internally say, “it’s yoga time” and start to slow down a bit. This is part of the brain-training that happens when you build a routine for yourself. It happens gradually over time, but practicing frequently can accelerate the process.
#5: Allow the yoga community to inspire and encourage you.
Doing yoga on your own is great. But at Inner Fire Yoga, we believe that doing yoga with a community is far better! Practicing with a group and a live teacher is a totally different experience than practicing on your own. Even we yoga teachers need other yoga teachers!
Our vast community of yogis is here to inspire, engage, and work with you to achieve your yoga goals. Maybe say hi to your neighbor next time you lay your mat down and introduce yourself. Ask the teacher a question after class. Engage with us on social media. Give someone a high five if you see them putting a sticker up on their Personal Revolution board.
The bottom line is: don’t be afraid to be a part of something larger than yourself. You might be surprised how much more often you achieve your yoga goals when you “let the community in” so to speak. We’re all in this together!
Lastly, be sure to sign up for our Fall Personal Revolution! It’s an excellent way to hold yourself accountable for the goals that you set for yourself. Details coming soon - keep an eye out for the sticker charts :)
Not feeling inspired yet? Here are some more tips from our amazing Inner Fire Yoga instructors to bolster (pun intended) your confidence:
Wesley Kavelaris says: “Prepare for the distractions. Think about the things that could come up that will distract you and be ok with letting these go.”
Jennifer Fetterly says: “Limit your screen time and use that extra time for yoga!”
Lili Jones says: “If we can try to prioritize ourselves, meaning take care of ourselves (do yoga and meditation), we can be better people. Make your yoga place a happy place to be.”
Nora Hill says: (if you’re practicing at home) “Involve your family, and detach from what a traditional yoga practice might look like. Flying toys and chattering kiddos offer an opportunity for focus and to witness joy (I’m working on this one.) 😉” and “Yoga, like life, is fluid and dynamic, practices will shift throughout a lifetime. Enjoy the different chapters and yogic experiences!”
Claire Peterson says: “Be unattached to the outcome... This is a lifelong practice. Even if a goal is to perform a specific posture, the goal is not the destination - it is the learning about the self during times of challenge.”
Dr. Ruddy says: “Instead of yoga practice being simply a cognitive decision, we can approach it more sustainably as a sincere, heartfelt commitment to doing our part to help heal one another. How we meet the world is ultimately how we meet ourselves. I never, ever had to “think” about practicing yoga, because it’s ultimately an embodied discipline. (Practice speaks louder than words).”
Sandra Eugster says: “In your 10 minutes on the mat [if that’s all you have] don't feel limited to ‘yoga’ shapes. Allow yourself to move organically. Use it as a time to tune in to what your body wants. You'll always wander back into the familiar patterns.”
Karen Knetter says: “I think intention bridges motivation to action/practice. Motivation can be strong, but fleeting (for me: better myself/movement/disposition in order to better affect others/our planet). Getting over the intention bridge seems easier with specifics, such as time and place (set the alarm, mark your calendar), and pencil in a Plan B. It’s important not to linger in guilt if you miss it, and appreciate even just the moments of practice (asana & meditation) you weave into your day.”
Liz Preston says: “Schedule it first thing in the morning before your day begins. Set the alarm & don't even think, just get out of bed. It's the thinking that gets in the way!”
Karen Rigsby says: “Doing a little every day (intentional movement, breathing, meditation) offers digestible bites of success which helps us build traction in a ritual of practice.”
Tess Kennedy says: “Release the idea that practice means 60 minutes of asana every day. Practice can be 3 slow breaths, 5 minutes of free movement on your mat, or chanting your favorite mantra before bed at night.”
Hally Marlino says: “Don’t talk about it. Be about it.”
Dar Vander Hoop says: “Yoga is not a bunch of shapes in space. Yoga shapes lead to mindfulness, empathy, forgiveness, radical self-acceptance. Or it’s yoga fitness, which is fine. But how we treat each other and ourselves is, in my opinion, true yoga. Sometimes my best practice is just doing the dishes, or sending light to someone I know is suffering… and breathing into every movement is my jam. Sending love notes to myself instead of strain, pain and endless self improvement agendas.”
Leave your own words of encouragement and inspiration in the comments below! <3