Photo: EkaterinaR (Shutterstock)
Ever since I started making myself enjoy yoga for them Lifehacker Fitness ChallengeI have successfully completed a daily yoga workout for all but one of the last nine days. And I have to say it feels like an accomplishment. As someone with a moderate level of pandemic burnoutFinding the motivation to stick with something new, and that requires me to actually take the time to do it, feels like a real accomplishment.
What if I only selected a 12 minute video some days? The point is, I’ve made a conscious effort to buy time for something I’m not inclined to do, and actually worked it through. And this very simple act teaches me a thing or two.
Two weeks later, I noticed more mindfulness
When setting up my laptop and choosing one Yoga with Adriene Video, I also unconsciously choose a set period of time in which I will only concentrate on my breath and my movement. Regardless of whether it’s 17 minutes or more, from the moment I select the video, I also tell myself that I won’t think of anything else for that set amount of time. And although I didn’t set out with the goal of being present and mindful, I do that at least once a day.
Of course, my mind wanders from time to time, sometimes anxiously thinking about the things I need to do immediately after my yoga session, but the real act of doing the poses is a constant reminder to return to the present. And sounding like a true yogi cliché, finding that mental space once a day feels like a real treat to me (which I chose) Science would agree).
I found a routine that works
Due to poor planning, I did yoga any time of the day, which was actually handy for figuring out which routine would work best for me. And so far it seems that either the afternoon or the evening is more comfortable for me than practicing in the morning – a time when I am more alert and energetic doing something faster like a run or a brisk walk.
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There have been a few days that I have a 20- or 30-minute afternoon yoga session (a time when I often bump into a wall and need a bit of physical refresher), and then work assignments inevitably have priority over mine Yoga routine is geared towards a bedtime ritual. And while doing yoga before bed feels less like exercise than a way to relax for the day, I agree, because there is nothing more relaxing than a good thing Shavasana on a hard floor.