Using Technology to take your Yoga Practice to the Next Level

Dear Readers,

I am so excited to post an exclusive guest blog this week from wellness expert Shelia Johnson! Her bio is at the end of this post.

In this blog post, Shelia explains technology can help you create or bolster an in-home yoga practice. I love her ideas, and can’t wait for you to hear them!

Mindfully yours,

Rebecca

It’s not always easy to find time to get to the yoga studio. Thanks to various tools and technology, though, you can bring the yoga studio into your home and push your practice to the next level. The good news is you probably already have some key equipment, and what you don’t have is easy and inexpensive (or free!) to add. You might even be able to free up your bank account from those expensive monthly gym membership fees.

Ready to put tech to work and take your yoga practice to the next level? Here are three tips to help you get started.

Find a Well-Trained, Enjoyable Teacher

When you get started, take time to “shop around” for the right teacher by trying a variety of classes via your streaming media device. Each teacher will have their own styles and methods, and not all of them will be right for where you are in your yoga journey. You’ll be more likely to maintain your program if you are following a teacher you like. And if you don’t have a streaming player to help you find your favorite flow, you can easily add one with your preferred features and that meshes with your budget.

Be sure to check out their credentials, though – anyone can post a video to the internet. Yoga Alliance recommends looking for a virtual coach who is well-trained and experienced. Once you find a couple instructors who seem worthy, spend the first few days of your practice test driving them. Once you find one you like, try a few more of their videos. If you find yourself looking forward to the next session, that’s a good sign they are the right yoga teacher for you.

Set an Intention

Set yourself up for success by downloading a goal-setting app, since it can be easy to skip your time on the yoga mat when you aren’t paying for a gym membership. Hold yourself accountable by setting an intention for your practices. Psychology Today notes some research shows that the simple act of setting a goal can help you achieve better results. A good app will check in with you on a daily basis to see if you are meeting your goals. It’s like a virtual workout buddy who can make sure you are getting on the mat as much as you said you would!

Start by setting an achievable weekly and monthly intention for yourself. For example, you may set an intention to practice three times a week and master the tree pose in a month. Once you reach that goal, it will motivate you to set a bigger challenge for the next month.

Support Others… But Avoid Comparisons

One of the best parts about doing your yoga practice in the privacy of your own home is that you can do it on your own. But that’s also one of the worst parts. If you miss the camaraderie of a yoga class, try connecting to other yoga enthusiasts through online forums. Many yoga teachers run forums on their websites where their students can connect and encourage each other. It’s a good way to meet friends in your yoga class, even if you are thousands of miles apart. 

But be careful not to compare yourself to others. It’s easy to look at your yoga teacher’s perfect form and wonder why your leg doesn’t go that high. When you compare yourself to others, you can end up getting discouraged and risk giving up your practice altogether. So accept where you are at in your yoga journey, right here and now, and encourage your fellow students on their own paths.

Put technology to work by bringing the world’s best yoga studios into the privacy and comfort of your own home. Eliminate the excuses and find time for yourself on the mat every day. All the resources you need to get started are probably already in your home, ready to go to work. You’ll feel healthier and happier from the effort you put in!