Home Practice

One of the things I find challenging with my home yoga practice is maintaining the yoga - that is the connection between my mind and body. So often I find my practice turning into a session of stretching. Nothing wrong with stretching, it’s really good for your body but it’s actually a side effect of doing yoga. The true benefit of yoga is attained when you connect (or yoke) your body and your mind, bringing yourself together in oneness. 

There are studies that show that doing yoga can reduce the production of stress hormones in you body (yup, actual studies have been done). This is achieved when you make that connection between your mind and your body, linking your breath with your postures, being aware of your body and mindful in your postures. That’s not to say that every minute of your practice will be done in a state of mindfulness - we’re human, after all and that’s why it’s called a practice. The more you do it the easier it gets to maintain and find that place of oneness, of peace and harmony within your body. That’s where the true benefit comes from yoga. Not from wrapping your leg around your head. 

Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots of benefits from achieving those really tough postures,   gaining flexibility in your body, bringing your body back to the state we all started in. But, there’s also lots of benefits for those of us who are not gumby, for those who get nowhere near their feet in a forward fold or for those who are somewhere in the middle. At each step along the way in a posture you will gain benefit, in creating a connection between your mind and your body and through increasing your flexibility. 

So when you're doing your home practice, be mindful of your breath. Connect your postures with your breath, close your eyes and allow yourself to notice what's going on inside your body. Take the time at the end of your practice to do savasana - corpse posture, find that place of active inactiveness. Your mind and body will thank you.

I'd love to hear about your home practice. How do you maintain that connection? Do you have any advice for other yogis? Feel free to add your comments below.