A Little Dash of Yoga
We can't always make it to our mat. As much as we'd like to, life gets in the way. Just because we can't make it to our mat everyday, doesn't mean we can't practice everyday. If all you have time for is 10 minutes a day - get on your mat (or carpet, or hardwood or bed). We all live crazy lives - sometimes we forget to even breathe and take a moment for us.
Our yoga practice is just that - for us.
Yes - making it to a studio or gym and getting in a class for 60 or 75 minutes is amazing, but its not realistic for everyone and definitely not everyday.
What can we do in 10 minutes? Here are 4 simple things that you can do everyday to bring yourself back to your practice.
1. Sun Salutations
All you need is a little bit of space the desire to move for a few minutes. Do a few rounds of the Surya Namaskar A to wake up the body and get moving. Obviously, it is great to do in the morning to wake up with the sun, or you can do it at any time of the day - find what works for you!
2. Bridge Pose
Bridge pose is a great counter pose for our day. We are often sitting or standing for long periods, and need to find that back bend to release the day (or begin the day). My favorite is a supported bridge, because I can reap the benefits of the pose while have a little support.
3. Open Your Heart
One of my favorite ways to open my heart is in a supported fish pose. There are a few places you can go with the blocks to find the right place for you to release. If you want to flow more in your short time, you can add back bends, when you come to stand or clasp your hands behind your back as you fold forward.
4. Breathe
The most essential thing you can do everyday for your yoga practice is to breathe with intention. Spend even just 1 minute - sitting, standing, or laying down - and bring your focus to your breath. Notice each inhale. Notice each exhale. Feel your body calm, and reap the benefits of that focused breath.
Just taking a few minutes each day to focus on one of these things can help us start to release some tension we might be holding. And, I don’t know about you, but when I get moving, even for a little bit, I feel so much better moving into my day!