Hello there! I’m Gwen, and I’ve been practicing Yoga since 2017, eventually transitioning into teaching in 2020.
You’d think that once I became a Yoga teacher, my practice would be rock-solid, right? Well, not quite.
Here’s the truth: I actually stopped doing Yoga for a while, even as a teacher.
Let me explain.
The Early Days: Falling in Love with Yoga
Like so many people, my Yoga journey started with a single spark of curiosity. Back in 2017, I downloaded a Yoga app. It was simple, convenient, and I could follow along from the comfort of my living room. Practicing on the app gave me a structured way to explore Yoga, and soon I was hooked. I loved the way it felt to move, breathe, and just have a moment to myself in the mornings.
Fast forward to my first teacher training, and I was all in. That experience deepened my understanding of Yoga in ways I hadn’t imagined. I learned about alignment, the importance of breath, the mind-body connection, and felt inspired to bring these teachings into my daily life. But as my understanding of Yoga grew, I realized the app I had loved no longer met my needs. I was craving something deeper, something more personalized than an app could provide.
Losing My Motivation: When Home Practice Fell Short
With my new training under my belt, I thought, Why not just practice on my own?
I mean, I’m a teacher now—I have the knowledge and tools. So, I started creating my own little routines at home, thinking I’d seamlessly slide into a solo practice.
But, honestly? It didn’t last long. Without the guidance and structure of a class or an app, I found myself skipping practices here and there. I was missing the motivation, the accountability, and that touch of inspiration I got from practicing in a class or following along with someone. Pretty soon, “I’ll do it tomorrow” turned into weeks of not practicing at all.
The Time Challenge: My Favorite Practice Times Didn’t Align
Another hurdle? My two favorite times to practice: early morning (around 6am) and midday (around 11:30am). Here’s the catch: at 6am, I was far from motivated to leave the house, and by 11:30am, there were no in-person classes available where I lived. It felt like my ideal times for Yoga didn’t fit the local class schedule, which only made it harder to stay consistent.
So, for a while, I drifted away from Yoga entirely. And to be honest, it felt disappointing. I had invested so much into this practice—emotionally, physically, even financially. But here I was, not practicing at all.
Rediscovering My Practice: Small Changes, Big Results
After a few weeks of feeling disconnected, I started thinking about ways to change or support my Yoga practice. I knew I needed a different approach if I wanted to get back into a sustainable routine.
These three simple adjustments made all the difference:
1. Finding Online Support
One of the first things I realized was that I needed some form of external support. Practicing alone in my garden was convenient but lacked that sense of community and motivation I got from a class. I decided to explore online options—joining virtual classes, finding supportive Yoga communities, and even tuning in to online tutorials when I needed inspiration for new sequences.
Having that sense of accountability and connection with others was a game-changer. Even though it wasn’t the same as being in a physical class, it gave me the guidance I needed to stay motivated.
2. Planning Ahead
Another big shift came from planning my practices in advance. I used to tell myself I’d “fit it in” whenever I had the time, but let’s be real—when does free time just magically appear? So, I started treating my Yoga practice like any other important appointment. Every Sunday, I’d set aside a few minutes to plan my practice schedule for the week.
By scheduling my Yoga sessions, I was way more likely to follow through. Plus, having that time blocked off helped me protect my practice time, even on busy days. Planning ahead might sound simple, but it helped turn Yoga back into a priority instead of something I only did when I “felt like it.”
3. Staying Flexible with My Practice
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to stay flexible, not just physically, but in my approach. I used to feel like my practice had to look a certain way—a full hour of movement, breathwork, and meditation. But I learned that sometimes a 10-minute stretch or a few grounding breaths was just as beneficial as a full practice.
Instead of putting pressure on myself to have a perfect practice every time, I allowed myself to adapt. Some days, a few minutes on my mat was all I needed to reset and reconnect. Other days, I had the energy for a longer, more intense practice. Giving myself permission to be flexible helped me see that any practice counts, and this mindset shift kept me consistent.
The Takeaway: You Don’t Have to Be a Teacher to Practice at Home
Through all of this, I realized that you don’t need to be a Yoga teacher to keep a consistent home practice. It’s a busy world, and if your schedule doesn’t always allow for studio classes, practicing at home—even for a few minutes—can be a game-changer.
What matters is creating a practice that fits your life, not the other way around.
Ready to Start Your Own Routine?
Maybe you’ve found yourself in a similar spot—trying to keep up with Yoga while juggling work, family, or everything else life throws your way. If so, know that it’s completely normal to hit bumps in the road. What matters is finding little ways to bring Yoga into your life that feel sustainable and enjoyable.
If you’re ready to start (or restart) your home practice, I’ve created a free 3-step guide that includes short, accessible practices you can do at home. These are designed to be manageable and won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re a total beginner or just getting back into your routine, this guide can be a simple way to start again, one small step at a time.
Grab your free guide here and let’s find a practice that brings you joy, even on the busiest days.
Final Thoughts: Rediscovering the Joy of Yoga
Getting back into Yoga taught me that our practices evolve with us. It’s okay to take breaks, to try new things, and to create routines that truly support where we are in life. So, wherever you are on your journey, remember that the practice is always here for you, ready whenever you are.
Have you ever found yourself drifting from your practice? How did you find your way back? Let’s connect and support each other on this journey—Yoga isn’t just about what we do on the mat, but how we show up for ourselves in life.
Comments