Mindful Yoga: How to Practice Yoga Mindfully

Doing yoga regularly is a fantastic way to cultivate your mind, body, and spirit. It can be rejuvenating, peaceful, relaxing, and strengthening all at the same time.

On the other hand, if you have never done yoga before or if you have tried it previously but haven't been able to continue with it for more than a few days or weeks, it can leave you feeling disappointed. 

In this article I will walk over how I personally practice mindful yoga and hopefully help you get started on your mindful yoga journey.

Establish A Routine

While developing a routine is essential, it's not hard to get sidetracked by the hectic pace of life's day-to-day activities. The first thing you need to do is schedule some time in your schedule for yoga practice.

 Make this a top priority and be sure to do it at the same time every day; even if you have work or errands that require your attention, find a way to fit this activity into your calendar.

When you've gotten into the swing of things with this practice, make it a point to keep it up even when you're just going about your regular business. That way, if one of those rare opportunities comes up that simply can't be put off until the following week (or ever), you won't have any reason not to seize it when it presents itself.

Bring A Journal Or Notebook

Keeping a journal is an age old way of becoming more connected with yourself, with the added benefit of helping you pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.

Writing in a journal at the end of each session gives you the opportunity to practice yoga mindfully by helping you to reflect on your practice so you can improve. This enables you to draw conclusions, learn from your mistakes, and develop your yoga practice.

A great way to get started is to write in small bursts either in the evening after a session or at the end of the day once your ready to wind down. This is a great way of building the daily habit of writing and after a short while of doing this the benefits within your yoga practice and life will start to become apparent.

Start With Basic Yoga Poses

Before you begin, it's important to set aside time for your yoga practice. That way, you can be prepared for when the time comes and know what to expect from yourself.

A good way to get yourself warmed up is to practice the poses before you start your yoga session - this is great for remembering your poses in a more casual and relaxed state. This will help prepare your body and relax any tension that could get in the way of a succesful yoga session.

#1 Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Mountain Pose is a basic standing pose that can be used as a starting point for many other yoga poses. It helps to improve posture, balance, and focus.To do this pose:

#2 Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Downward-Facing Dog is a great pose for stretching the hamstrings, calves, and spine. It also helps to relieve stress and calm the mind.To do this pose:

#3 Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

Warrior II is a standing pose that strengthens the legs and opens the hips. It also improves focus and balance.To do this pose:

#4 Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

Tree Pose is a balancing pose that strengthens the legs and improves focus and concentration.To do this pose:

#5 Child's Pose (Balasana)

Child's Pose is a gentle resting pose that can be used anytime during your yoga practice. It helps to release tension in the back and neck and calm the mind.To do this pose:

Remember to listen to your body and modify the poses as needed. With regular practice, these basic yoga poses can help you feel more relaxed, focused, and energized.

Remember to Breathe With Each Movement

Most importantly remember to breathe through each movement when you practice yoga mindfully. Breathe in and out deeply, maintaining focus on your breath. This will help to clear your mind of any thoughts that might be interfering with the flow of your practice.

As you begin to focus on the breath, notice how it feels as it enters and leaves the body, where it travels through key areas like the lungs and abdomen before moving down into the legs or feet.

You may also want to take note of any negative feelings or thoughts that come up as part of this process.

Should I Take Yoga Classes?

Whilst not essential, you may benefit from taking some yoga classes to improve your mindful yoga practice.You may learn how to practice yoga in your own time and in the manner that is most beneficial to you with the assistance of a teacher who can lead you through the process - always helpful to have someone to guide you along the journey.

They will teach you how to establish your rhythm in the class, which includes finding an acceptable tempo for yourself so that each exercise feels useful without feeling overwhelming (and also so that no one else feels like they are being pushed too hard).

Look for a class that suits you, preferably somewhere that you feel comfortable and happy to continue. You can also take classes online too and there is some really good apps available that can help you get into a rhythm with your practice.

Mindful Yoga Can Reconnect You

Mindfulness is a way of being. It's about being in the moment, aware of what you are doing and your surroundings. You can use mindfulness to help you get back in touch with yourself, and whilst doing yoga.

Mindfulness helps us become more conscious of our thoughts and feelings so that we can make better decisions about how we live our lives.

This means paying attention to what’s happening around us at any given moment instead of letting it pass by without noticing—like when someone cuts in front of me while driving!

Practice yoga mindfully and truly reap the benefits of this age old activity. Mindful yoga practitioners find the most benefit when they focus on their breathe (without judgment), but also whilst maintaining the quality of their practice. Over time you will become a lot better at both yoga and being more mindfully aware.

Conclusion

Beginning with a simple daily routine is a good idea whether you're brand new to mindful yoga or you're just getting started.

Try engaging in mindful practices during your drive to and from work, while you're waiting in line at the grocery store, and after you get home from work.

This will assist you in remaining present throughout the day and will ensure that you do not lose track of what is truly important to you.

In order to practice yoga mindfully you don't need any special tools, or new snazzy matts; all you need is a calm, undisturbed space where you won't be interrupted for ten minutes every day.

With time and consistent effort you will begin to grow both in your yoga practice and mindfully, leading to a more well-rounded version of yourself.