A Change of Scenery, A Change in Your Yoga Practice

Despite the fact that I keep my home practice varied, I am still attached to certain things. I like the yoga mat that I use, I love the lighting in the room in which I practice, I prefer the stability of the hardwood floor beneath me. Still, one of the joys of yoga is that you can take it anywhere -- from a hospital bed to a mountaintop to a yoga studio. That's one of the things I love about yoga -- you can take it with you.

My time in South Carolina is coming to a close so I'm experiencing the bittersweet feelings of sadness over leaving yet joy for returning to things that I know and love. Practicing in a different place has been interesting for me -- I'm practicing at a higher altitude (the house is on a mountain), I'm practicing on a rug (I noticed a shift in my balance), and I'm practicing with a very different mat (sometimes no mat at all). My mind wants to judge these changes as bad but I see them for what they are -- new things/experiences from which I can learn.

This particular scene change has inspired me to create my own routines and practice some yoga style mixes in silence with the focus on my body and breath. I even took a few days off from asana and focused solely on meditation and pranyama. Not only did I take a vacation from my daily routine but I took a vacation from my typical yoga practice.

Of course you don't have to travel to a new place to make a change. Here are a few things you can do to inspire yourself to look at your practice in a whole new way:

• Ditch the mat -- typically we think of our yoga mats as an essential part of our practice. The truth is, a mat isn't always necessary. Of course if the surface you're practicing on isn't safe without the use of a mat, don't try it without. Practicing without a mat will work your core in a different way. When I first started practicing I became a bit preoccupied by my mat, my mind whirling when I felt my hands slipping. One day I walked into a class sans mat and after a few minutes of my mind freaking out because I "wasn't prepared" for a yoga class I settled in an had an amazing experience. That day practicing without a mat made me focus on my body and its placement in space. It was one of the few times that flipping my dog didn't feel weird because it brought me off my mat (when you're not on a mat in the first place, you don't worry about such things).
• Take 10 minutes for you -- if you're someone who only practices yoga with a teacher (either in class or via DVD), why not try Sun Salutations in silence. The postures that make up Sun Salutations are fairly simple and easy to remember so trust in yourself that you can do them without guidance. Go through the postures to the rhythm of your breath and let your breath determine your pace. One day you might make it through 10 Sun Salutations in 15 minutes whereas other days it might take longer. Match this Sun Salutation practice to your body and how it feels on that very day.
• Change the ratio -- rather than practice asana for 30, 60, or 90 minutes, try warming up with a little asana and then spending the bulk of your practice either practicing pranayama or meditation. Contrary to popular belief, yoga isn't all about asana.

When I'm on the plane flying home tomorrow I'll most likely do a brief in-flight practice to ease the rigors of travel (cramped spaces, long lines, delays, etc.). By Wednesday morning I'll be back in my regular yoga habitat (favorite mat, hardwood floors, natural sunlight streaming through the windows, etc.). That doesn't mean that I won't take some of the changes I've experienced here with me...

Namaste! 

Comments

[Diane Cesa]

Hi Free Yoga Moves -- yes, you do have to be careful if you forgo using a mat. That's why I mentioned being cautious and not skipping the mat if you feel unsafe. Practicing without a mat can help you be more conscious with your movements and it works your core. But, yes, you must take care.

[Free Yoga Moves]

Nice advice for Yoga but doing yoga poses without a yoga mat? Unless you're used to the poses you intend to do, I can't say it's safe... you might slip!

[Tina]

I am currently on vacation visiting family in Michigan and Chicago land area. Last year I had a stable yoga routine but this year I have been to busy and need that extra support. So I searched around and have been to a few classes. I have found that I love experiencing new studios, classes and teachers But I am also look forward to going home to what is familiar.