Take Your Yoga Practice Off the Mat & Into Your Life


Maybe you’re increasingly skilled at practicing on the mat, but its time to take your practice to the next level. You can practice yoga in the car, at school, at work, during conversations, and more! Struggle less and savor more by being in a relationship with reality and practicing your yoga all day - not just for an hour on your mat. The physical and mental health benefits of the yoga practice we all know are exponential – but learn there is the even bigger picture of applying what you learn on your mat into your life. Let's talk about applying our yoga practice to our lives, hold our yogic principals in our back pocket- and living a life of peace and balance.

#1) Building Strength to Withstand Life's Obstacles

On the mat: Yoga teaches us to build strength in the body. Think back to your first few yoga classes, the challenges, the aches, the soreness. The physical challenges during our practice we flow through because we know down the road it makes us stronger. Notice how far you have come thanks to all the challenges you have overcome on the mat.

Applying it off the mat:We learn to withstand life’s obstacles. Like f lowing through a challenging yoga class, we should flow through life the same way! Challenges in life are apart of our journey that makes us stronger.


#2) Building Strength to Withstand Life's Obstacles

On the mat: Think about when you felt stiff and tight during your practice, and how when you quit resisting and submit your body, then you increase flexibility.

Applying it off the mat:We learn to deal with the chaos of life. When we resist something in life it persists, but when we quit resisting and submit to life’s challenges, new opportunities open up right away because we are no longer focused on the troubles.


#3) Building Strength to Withstand Life's Obstacles

On the mat:Yoga teaches us Savasana is our time to restart. Think about a time when you truly let go in Savasana, able to focus on all the benefits of your yoga, and released from what no longer serves you! You wake up so refreshed. It is a chance to start over.

Applying it off the mat:We learn that every morning is a new beginning. Wake up remembering it is a new day and another chance for opportunity, no longer looking behind at what hasn’t served you.


#4) Building Strength to Withstand Life's Obstacles

On the mat: Yoga teaches us to simply allow. Remember times during your practice when painful sensations arise, physical or emotional. We welcome these feelings and let them be present without judging, then let them pass.

Applying it off the mat:We learn that in life we must allow. We do not have control over other people, or other situations- and the sooner we stop fighting for control and relax into the experience, it will pass.


#5) Building Strength to Withstand Life's Obstacles

On the mat: Yoga teaches us to breathe! We breathe during the challenging postures, and breathe during the difficult flows. Breathing promotes relaxation and positive change.

Applying it off the mat:We learn to simply breathe in all difficult situations. Breathing helps us mentally not only physically! Just slow down and breathe when life gets challenging or confusing- clarity and relaxation replace fear and stress.


These are simple ways to get started practicing yoga off the mat. Your practice is far more then just what you experience physically in class. Yoga is a life style! Begin by applying these tips immediately! You have the power to start this very moment, so why not?