It's said that the hardest thing to do is to take the first step. But once we start, the steps we take afterwards are more important. Starting a new activity like yoga is always exciting, with something new and interesting to do. Especially in a discipline like yoga, that can bring so many benefits. The truth is that, to see real results, you need to be consistent and must develop a habit. Maintaining a consistent practice can be difficult, and requires motivation and willpower.
How to stay motivated to do yoga?
Motivation can run out, but that doesn't mean it should make you stop. It's normal to experience days when you don't feel like doing certain things, when, even something as calming as yoga can seem difficult. So, here are some tips to help you truly integrate yoga into your life.
1. Start by scheduling yourself
If you've already started doing yoga, you're on the right track. Use that momentum to organise your time and schedule your sessions. Think about what time yoga feels best for you, and add it to your schedule. Even add a reminder on your mobile phone so that you get the extra nudge. In this way, you'll start to make space for yoga in your life. You may miss a day or two despite this, but's that's ok. As you progress with yoga, you'll see that it'll get easier and easier.
2. Get dressed even if you don't feel like it
You have the schedule, but you don't feel like it. So, get ready! Put on your yoga clothes, and that's all the advice. Dressing for the occasion prepares you for the action. Once you're dressed, it'll seem like a waste to not do your session. Repeat this until you believe it. If your schedule is ready, and you are too, the motivation is there for the taking. If you're struggling to be consistent, relax your goals. Take a deep breath. Instead of resolving to do yoga every day, start by making a resolution to schedule your session, and dress for each session, and see if that works.
3. Share with those around you
Let the world know what you're doing, how good your yoga sessions feel, the changes and benefits you've seen. Or better, invite someone to join you, so you can motivate each other. Sharing your goals and experiences will help you see them as more real. If you don't feel comfortable sharing this kind of thing, you can write it down, so you have a reminder of how good you feel doing yoga.
4. Create a challenge
As mentioned earlier, it doesn't have to be something big, but a goal is always useful. You can do it with your friends as 30 days of yoga and see who can achieve it. You can also apply the classic one-day-at-a-time. The important thing here is that you visualise the goal so that you value your achievements. As you progress in your yoga journey, you'll see how these tips will come more naturally to you, and how you'll become more in tune with yourself.
5. Reward and motivate yourself
If there are challenges, there must also be rewards. Motivate yourself to keep rewarding yourself when you achieve something. For example, maybe you want a new yoga outfit. Mentally propose that if you take all your sessions for a month, you'll buy yourself the outfit that you wanted. Doing this will result in two things: firstly, buy clothes that you'll actually wear, and secondly, keep you motivated. The rewards don't have to be big, just something to help you appreciate your progress.
By following these tips, you'll have integrated yoga into your life without realising it, and irreversibly. Because, once you experience the many benefits of this popular discipline, you won't be able to stop. Your body and mind will ask for more of it.
If you'd like further motivation and guidance with your yoga journey, we're here to help! Ohmayoga is a registered Yoga Alliance school and certification provider. We offer online yoga teacher training courses, personalised yoga sessions, one-on-one consultations about mental and physical well-being, and educational resources.
