Easy Ways to Make Your Yoga Routine More Fun and Challenging
Yoga is one of the most versatile and beneficial forms of exercise, which has prompted people of all ages and abilities to try it out. It’s highly adaptable, meaning that individuals who are living with disabilities can excel at it. Yoga is also portable, so you can practice it just about anywhere, not to mention it’s a form of self-love and self-talk in which you become more in tune with your body and mind. Yoga is a time to clear those negative thoughts and energies and work on building yourself up.
When you’ve been doing any kind of workout for a while, however, it can become repetitive. Losing the fun factor can affect your motivation, which can have devastating effects on your self-esteem and ability to keep up the momentum with your exercise routine.
The good news is that there are many things you can do to boost your yoga workouts. By using tools and different techniques, you can make your exercise program exciting again. The key is to begin with a goal in mind. If you want to gain strength and balance, you’ll want to tailor your routine to those areas; if you’d like to lose a little weight, there are some different ways you can amp up your game. Setting some parameters will help you focus on what you want to work on.
Here are a few tips on how to make your yoga routine more fun and exciting.
Integrate Technology
Technology has come a long way just in the last few years, making it easier than ever to incorporate it into just about every lifestyle. When you’re ready to think about downloading yoga apps that will help you learn new poses, consider the type of phone you have. If you need to upgrade your device, look for one that fits your budget but still has all the features you need. Also, some providers offer low monthly payments on the latest smartphones, such as the 64 GB iPhone 11, if you switch to one of their plans. Of course, if you prefer Android phones over those offered by Apple, there are plenty of options to explore.
Set Goals
Setting goals is a great way to challenge yourself to be the best you can be, so think about what you’d like to achieve overall. If your routine has become stale, this is a wonderful way to spice things up. You can use an app like Track Yoga on your phone to plan out the goal and keep track of your progress, which will help with motivation; just remember not to compare your journey with someone else’s. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay. Personalize your goals as much as possible so they work for your specific needs. Keep in mind that yoga goals don’t have to be physical. You could set a goal that you’ll be more forgiving of your body and its limitations, and focus on improving your attitude via internal positive self-talk.
Boost Your Self-Esteem
Practicing any form of exercise is great for your self-esteem, but only if you believe you can create change with it. Whether you use yoga to relax, to gain strength and balance, or to lose weight, it’s important to make sure your self-confidence is well taken care of, too. Practice healthy self-encouragement each time you do your routine to boost your esteem and help with motivation with positive self-talk and affirmation. It might help to create a mantra for yourself that you can repeat each day; this will allow you to face your challenges with positivity.
Go Easy on Yourself
It’s important to keep in mind as you practice yoga that it’s meant to reduce stress and help you find your center, so don’t be too hard on yourself. If you run out of time and only have a few minutes to devote to your routine one day, that’s fine! As long as you’re keeping up with your practice, you’re doing the best you can do, even if it’s only for a fraction of the time you normally workout. Rather than be angry with yourself, practice that positive self-talk so that you can forgive mistakes and failures and keep moving forward in your yoga journey. Remember that failure is okay; learning new poses and techniques can be challenging, and they aren’t for everyone. Take it slowly and keep your workouts safe.
You can make your yoga routine more fun and boost the way it challenges you by using different techniques, but keep in mind that this is a very personal path. Try to remember that the purpose of yoga is to help you find balance and peace in your life.