Home Practice Advice Sought

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I find my body craving my group Yoga classes nearly everyday. It’s become as essential as my evening bath time (a good book and some bubble bath and I’m out! ;)). A period of the day when I can claim 90 wonderful minutes and devote them to my well being.

Unfortunately, I am unable to go to class more than 2, possibly 3 times per week.

I realize this makes my home practice all the more poignant. And like anything else in life, I’m sure it will take “practice” to develop a regular practice.

But I find it…well, honestly, uninspiring. I feel lost and unsure. I realize this is my opportunity to do what I want in what order I want, but I become overwhelmed by the possibilities. This too, is probably due to my novice stature.

I was hoping, if not too personal a question, that perhaps some of you might be willing to share your home practice insights, from tips to your own personal journeys to the evolution of those practices. Admittedly, I’m searching for confirmation that with dedication, I’ll enjoy my personal practices as much as group class.

My gratitude in advance :slight_smile:

#2

Well firstly I feel it is really important to have a spot of your own devoted to yoga. Even if it is just the kitchen floor, it really does not matter where, just so long as it is someplace you feel comfortable. Create ambiance, light a candle, play soft music, whatever creates peace in your heart. I find lower lighting to be conducive to relaxation personally. Either buy or borrow a good yoga book (I like both B.K.S Iyengars light on Yoga, along with Rodney Yee’s work), or a d.v.d (whatever works for you, if you like the structure of a classroom setting, a d.v.d would be best for you). The great thing about practicing at home, is that you can go at your own pace! Do as little or as much as you like, and can perfect moves you may be shy to do in public :slight_smile: Best of luck!

#3

Perhaps best then, based on the adjectives you use to describe your home practice, to begin slowly with some basics. When your practice doesn’t embody joy then there is no longer any point for it.

Select just a few things to do and structure it in 20 minutes with at least a 5 minute Savasana at the end, each time; every time.

Whatever version of Surya Namaskar you are practicing can be a consistent beginning.
Just because your home practice is at home, without an external teacher, and has no classmates, that doesn’t necessarily equate with “do whatever you want”. I don’t look at my practice that way, though I know some who do.

Rather it is merely a chance to continue your discipline or committment to the Self. It is your self exploration of Self. Therein lies the beauty whether you are doing trikonasana or Adho Mukha Vrksasana.

Start with SN and end with Savasana. What falls in between is “all good” for now.

#4

Hi,

It is great to be so enthusiastic about yoga. I do my own home yoga usually at the end of my day when I know there is no pressure to meet certain time frames etc. I prefer to do it in my garden and I always suggest to my own yoga students to just do what they want to do with no time limit. So rather than looking forward to 90 minutes of yoga bliss, why not just looking forward to do yoga even if it is only for 20 minutes. What I did years ago when I first started my own home yoga was to concentrate on those aspects of yoga which I found difficult to do. For example, I wasn’t very good with the inverted asanas initially. I then decided to focus all my private time on practising these asanas at home. The development was phenomenal. I also started to incorporate some music in my yoga and in summer (I live in South Africa where our summer do get hot) I even started to do some asanas in my swimmingpool. Point is keep it interesting and alive for yourself.

Good luck and as Swami Sivananda of the Divine Life Society said just practice a little everyday.

Love and Light

Pandara

#5

be in the moment, whether in a group class or at home, or everday. Being in the moment does not compare to another moment, because it is not in that moment, it is in the present moment. have no fear that your home practice will not be as well as the group class, in time it will be better, but for the moment it is where it is and you are where you are. I will add more directly to your question when I get time
enjoy your moment
seeker

#6

Allow me to thank those of you who have responded. I truly appreciate your time and thoughts. I have been pondering your insights. I have been “experimenting” with where I feel is a comfortable and conducive spot to practice. As suggested by Inner Athlete, I do begin with Surya Namaskar and end with Savasana.

And last night, was wonderful! I honestly have no idea how long I practiced for. I never looked at a clock. I opened with SN and then just tried to be aware of where my body was craving a little attention, which ended up focusing on my lower back and hamstrings. Perhaps this will sound a bit silly, but the only way I can describe the feeling is that I was in a dance and I didn’t have to worry about the choreography because the music carried me along. Hope that made some sense…Ended with a nice Savasana where my hubby turned out the lights for me, and my little lab dog and I just lay there, breathing…

Thank you again, and always open to more suggestions/constructive criticism for those willing to provide it.

God Bless :slight_smile:

#7

My teacher Bruce Bowditch just published a book for SEQUENCING–great for teachers and for home practice, and there is little to nothing else out there on the subject. It’s spiral bound and visual, so you can keep it with you on the floor where you practice and move through it easily. Very handy!
Bruce recommends getting comfortable with a sequence or several of them, but later on provides a modular system for you to be more playful and creative.

I understand the lack of desire and momentum in starting a home practice. Another teacher friend of mine recommends committing to much shorter practice times and sequences to get into a habit.

#8

Hi dear,

YOGA practise has to be done by daily, then u come to know what exactly changes happening and it shows the every day improvements of the practise and here its important to do daily becouse , its a “SADANA” OF EVERY DAY one u miss a day am sure many forgets the exact process(am more concering in respect of PRANAYAMA, dont know much abt other yogas in depth)

I do Pranayama in my house only, but I daily communicate the progress and benefits with my teacher(actually a friend) I do for 1.5hrs… try to do every day atleast 15mints(in Pranayama some of them to be done daily).

Yoga can change the entire things.
-----------Om shanti shanti shanti hi-----------

#9

I agree with InnerAthlete’s advice since that is how I started structuring my home practice years ago.

My only other advice would be to also start each day with a few SNs once you wake up (just like your dog or cat does when they awaken).

#10

Sounds like you had exactly the right approach. Great job!

#11

For many people finding time to do Yoga at home is a major obstacle. It’s a good idea to sit down, look over your schedule, and figure out where you’re going to fit in an hour of yoga practice, 1 day a week if you cannot manage 6 days a week. To manage this, you may need to wake up earlier than usual, ask your partner to take charge of the children at specified times, or juggle your work and home commitments. Once you have decided when to practice, you might even consider marking it on your calendar to establish this practice time as a fixed priority in your life.

I teach yoga in my own home. The classes I run start from 630pm. As for myself, I have a routine where I get up at 5am each morning and I do an hour and half of yoga.

#12

What is your goal?

#13

For many people finding time to do Yoga at home is a major obstacle. It’s a good idea to sit down, look over your schedule, and figure out where you’re going to fit in an hour of yoga practice, 1 day a week if you cannot manage 6 days a week. To manage this, you may need to wake up earlier than usual, ask your partner to take charge of the children at specified times, or juggle your work and home commitments. Once you have decided when to practice, you might even consider marking it on your calendar to establish this practice time as a fixed priority in your life

I have to say that while I agree that finding time for yoga home practice can be difficult, finding time in today’s busy schedules to drive to a class, take a class, socialise a little, and then drive home is a lot more tricky!

Yoga home practice, while not offer the social aspect of classes, or the interaction, actually makes yoga more accessible to busy people, I think, and the more stressed we are, the more we need it don’t we? :wink:

If it weren’t for home yoga practice, yoga DVD’s and yoga videos, I think a lot less people would even take the time to get started!

#14

I only have the ability to pratice at home, I am looking into getting into a class but find this conntection i am making bymyself to be so special and so important that i wouldnt have it any other way for now.