Today’s guest post is from Sheila Johnson, author and founder at Well Sheila. Read her amazing post and be sure and check out her great website!
Don’t Let COVID-19 Keep You from Your Yoga Practice
If you’ve been self-isolating for some time, you may have found that many of your normal routines have gone out the window. But your yoga habits are not something you should toss so easily. Practicing yoga is a great way to stay healthy and sane in what is ostensibly the most stressful time in our lives as a whole since 2001. Unfortunately, online classes cost money, and if your hours have been cut or you’ve experienced layoffs, that might be in short supply.
Never fear, however, because there are plenty of ways to fit your yoga routine into your day without watching your savings dwindle away. Here’s how:
Get comfortable.
The most important aspect of your at-home yoga practice is having the right space. This doesn’t have to be an entire room, and even a small corner is enough if you set it up correctly. One thing you do need is peace and quiet. This can be tough if you have a house full of children or your spouse is also working from home. In this case, it might be best to think outside of the proverbial box and outfit your garage or shed with your yoga gear.
Gear up.
Speaking of yoga gear, now is the perfect time to review what you do and don’t have. An effective home yoga studio should have at least a mat, as well as props like blocks and a yoga strap. You’ll also want to check the closet to ensure that you have comfortable, form-fitting clothing so you don’t feel constricted. Even if you don’t have any of this handy, everybody’s favorite store, Target, of course, has everything you need to get started without breaking the bank. And, if you are still uncomfortable going out into the public, Target offers free shipping on $35 or more purchases. What’s more, according to these Target savings tips, you can also save money by shopping Top Deals and browsing through their weekly sales.
Learn to meditate.
Meditation and yoga go hand in hand, and as Think Positive 30 explains, there are many health benefits. But the former is often more difficult to master than the latter. Surprisingly, although meditation is a time when you’re supposed to disconnect, technology may actually be your greatest ally here. You can use free or inexpensive meditation apps – Women’s Health likes HeadSpace, Calm, and a handful of others – to get yourself in the right mindset to relax.
Know how to stay safe.
Keeping yourself safe when doing yoga outside of the classroom setting means listening to your body. Don’t overdo it, and, if you haven’t practiced in a while, be gentle with yourself. While you should certainly try to give yourself new challenges each day, if you get to a point where you feel worse after than you did before, you’ll be doing yourself more harm than good. When your goal is to save money, the last thing you want is to have to pay for expensive doctor visits because you threw your back out trying to progress too fast without guidance.
Becoming the master of your own yoga domain is empowering to say the least. And it’s an excellent opportunity to break away from the monotony of quarantine. Don’t buy into the notion that you have to funnel hundreds of dollars and countless hours into designing your own home studio. All you really need is a quiet corner and the willingness to ease into a new routine and treat your mind and body with respect.
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