The 15 Minute Practice
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Are you ready? lets do this!
15 minutes on your mat is all it takes to… make you want to stay longer!
There’s been times in my life where I struggled to keep up with my home practice, until I finally one day promised myself to just a simple 15 minutes on my mat every single day. This little promise became the doorway to stabilize my renewed relationship to my home practice, and to my self-listening.
For those with a tight schedule or a busy life, 15 minutes dedicated to feeling your body and deepening your breath will give you a deeper sense of groundedness and connection to your own inner compass as you make decisions throughout your day.
For those with a little more space in your schedule, 15 minutes on the mat may very well become the gateway practice that gets you spending a lot more time there in delicious and exciting exploration.
Some practical tips to help your home practice stick:
Commit to only 15 minutes.
If you end up doing more, lovely - but if you only do 15 (the length of 3 songs), you will walk away with greater self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment as you build this as a daily habit. There’s no need to expect to stay longer, especially if you are new to practicing yoga without a teacher. Stick to a 15 minute practice and walk through the rest of your day feeling the spaciousness and freedom it brings to your body, mind and respiratory system.
Don’t wait for your space to be “perfect”
Waiting for everything in your home to be clean before you get on your mat is a trap. Just ignore the mess if there is one and get on your mat. Are there still items on your To-Do list? they can wait 15 minutes, its ok.
Consistency is your friend
It really makes a difference when you commit to getting on your mat every single day at the same time if you can. Maybe it’s the 15 minutes before you get into your bed for the night. Maybe it’s the 15 minutes while your oatmeal cooks in the morning, maybe it’s that you force yourself to take a precious 15 minute break in the afternoon or at lunch. Just pick a time and stick to that time every day. This will work its own magic and will make your 15 minute practice stick.
Build momentum and the momentum will build you
The first few days of this commitment may be challenging to get yourself on your mat for your allotted 15 minutes - but once you get a few consecutive days going, the momentum will help you stay on track. Try not to skip a day though, the power built through your consistency will begin to dissipate and you may find yourself making exceptions here and there until you may completely fall off the proverbial wagon. Stay the course, try not to skip a day, and it will become less likely that you will skip a day.
Below is the playlist I’ve been enjoying in the mornings on my mat. Is there music you are loving to move to? comment below or drop me a line and share it with me!
And let me know how the 15minute practice goes for you!
May our efforts on and off the mat be of benefit to all beings.
In joy!
Natasha.
