Go Deeper In Your Yoga Practice
It’s Not What You Might Think
Recently after practice, I found myself journaling on the subject of Going Deeper in my Yoga Practice. I began reflecting on the past 20 years on the mat, and all of the things that I could recall that helped me to go deeper in my yoga practice. The things I came up with might surprise you. I've compiled a brief list of some of these ideas for you to consider. I truly believe many of you are ready to take your yoga practice to the next level and these items may help you do just that!
Journal- I have a journal handy every time I practice. Whether it is a meditation practice, an asana practice, or even a Yoga Nidra practice, I find that often things come up that need to be documented. A thought, a feeling, a breakthrough, an emotion. Most of my entries are brief and there for me to revisit and elaborate on at a later time. It is so inspirational to go back and revisit your writings over time. Those things that came straight from your heart and then through your pencil.
Practice one more hour per week- I remember when I went from one asana practice per week to two, my yoga practice blossomed! Whether you take a class or add personal practice time, adding that hour can make a world of difference. I noticed an increase in my strength, my stamina, and my ability to rest in Savasana. Try it and see what happens!
Unstructured time on your mat- This is probably the single most effective action that took my yoga practice to the next level. Unrolling your mat, spending time listening to your body, quieting your mind, breathing, moving in a way your body needs... all of these subtleties will deepen your practice. Getting to know exactly what your body needs at any given time is a big deal. To make it even more special, find a spot to unroll your mat, that makes you happy. Add fresh flowers, a photo you love, a candle and maybe some incense, and don't forget your journal!
Read something to deepen your knowledge- Study Scripture. The Holy Bible, The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. At first, I thought that studying ancient texts other than the Bible was wrong, but then I began looking at the ancient texts from a historical perspective. Ancient texts can teach us about life, ethics, suffering and self realization. I currently read everything I can get my hands on, from yoga fiction like, How Yoga Works, to books about yoga ethics like The Yamas and Niyamas, and The Gita. Also, poetry, books about asana theory, and Ayurveda. The more you can deepen your knowledge, the wider your lens, and the stronger your practice will be..
Lengthen your Savasana- Easier said than done for most of us, however, when you lengthen your savanna, you increase your body's ability to assimilate your practice. Every cell in your body benefits, along with your brain and more specifically your Central Nervous System. It is recommended that you spend 5 minutes in Savasana for every 30 minutes you practice yoga. After practicing for an hour, start at 6 minutes (don't count fidgeting!) then add 2 minutes on to your final relaxation time per practice, until you work up to 12 minutes total. Anything you do beyond that gets a big gold star in my book!
By no means is this list complete. I could go on-add mantra, add mudra, study yoga anatomy, take a yoga workshop, close your eyes while you practice. The above items, however, are where I found the richest benefits in terms of my yoga practice going deeper. Please let me know if you incorporate any of these suggestions into your own practice and how they affect your overall experience on the mat. Namaste!