Making Time For Yoga
by Rodney Yee | July 7th, 2008 | Comments (6)
topic: Yoga
Are you crazy busy? Is there hardly a moment to catch a breath? The day pushes on, and many of us are left anxious and rattled.
Is our significance tied to how much we work and how much we accomplish? Stop in the name of love and peace.
We must retrain ourselves to be, not just to do; to live, not just work. Don’t fool yourself; it takes time and awareness to rewire yourself. This is not an impossible task — and you can make a significant headway with 15-30 minutes of daily yoga practice.
The best advice I can give you is to make your yoga part of your morning ritual. This means getting to bed 15 minutes earlier so your yoga practice does not cut into your sleep time. The second piece of advice is to sit down with your weekly calendar and begin to cross out any activity that is not serving you anymore (this takes being brutally honest).
One of the most significant ways to support your home practice is to practice with a member of your family or a friend. Being held accountable by others can get you to the mat on the dreariest of days. Once you get to the mat, the magic often takes over after a couple of minutes, and you find yourself vibrating with the music of yoga.
For many years, my friend would come over at 6 a.m. We would sit in a yoga posture and do Jumble, the word game, in the newspaper. After sitting and gradually waking up, our bodies would often tell us what to practice. Asana practice, then pranayama, and meditation would follow. What a great way to start the day — centered, awake, internal, and listening.
On the occasions that I do miss my morning practice, I notice a difference in how I am in the world. Taking that time for yourself helps you be more present, grounded, patient and open to the little moments of joy (a loved one’s laughter, the taste of a fresh tomato, the way light streams into your window) that happen all day long.
Namaste,
Rodney
Cofounder of the Gaiam Yoga Club
This is a very busy time in our lives, working, families, balancing household budgets, kids activities, church, and I could go on and on. If you are the bread winner and/or caregiver you have to be brave and tell yourself ” wait a minute, I am entitle to one hour for me.” and give yourself that hour.
I gave myself my hour. I informed family and friends about my hour. Do not call me for I will not answer. The only exception is the doctors says someone only have an hour to live. Which means something serious, not can to take me , can you help me find, can you fix me, can you… you know the rest.
Do not feel guilty or let anyone make you feel guilty about your hour, there’s 23 hour you can share. I’ve had my hour for over ten years.
My hour is now devoted to yoga and meditation and I love it.
Namaste,
Maria T Watson
A new yogi
Why is this culture so “busy” centered? My auto repairman, originally from Burma (Myanmar), told me that he miss the lifestyle in Burma. He said, “In Burma, I would get up a 7 AM, go to the local coffee shop and hang out with my friends till 9 AM then go to work. Here’s you are always rushing, rushing, rushing.”
This has reference to the mail of Maria T.watson, dated 7th August 2008.
I have read the above comments with interest. I am myself a Yoga enthusiast, but not a yogi. I am running 83.
Yes, one has to make time daily for yoga, As said in the comments, 23 hours are enough and more for one to do his or her daily chores and snatching away an hour a day is not going to matter at all.
Modern life is exceedingly wearing. The noise, the excitement, the hurry, the competition, irregular hours of work, hard study, anxieties and worries, lack of proper and nutritive food as well as physical exercise, all make a heavy tax on the constitution of one soon , resulting in a breakdown of health. One can however definitely remain unaffected by these evils of modern civilization if one snatches an hour a day out of the 24 hours one has , take to yoga and performs daily the exercises faithfully ,initially under a tutor , then take care of his diet, and make proper use of the God given sunshine and open air.,
To start with, practice of yoga will do. Hence I have not touched meditation
Namaste.
T.S.Sundaram
Yoga works on all parts of our being, there is absolutely no reason not to make time for it. It is an inward journey where one grow wiser and stronger through self-enquiry, study, practice, and best supported by great teachers.
Many have said they cannot afford yoga as it is expensive. Consider money saved on health cost combating addictions, obesity, unsettling mind, and replaces with a healthy and happy living, it is the money and time most worth spending.
However, one must not be looking for quick results nor vigorous practice beyond limits, diligent and mindful practice over long period of time is the key.
I am a middle age lady and a beginner. Yoga is the most wonderful journey I have undertaken and I too want to keep it a life-long practice. Rodney, and T.S. Sundaram at 83 years of age who practice yoga daily are indeed great and positive role models to emulate.
Namaste
I have had a terrible year. I’ve lost friends and family and felt frightened to the point of panic attacks. I’d seen your work before, so I purchased some DVD’s. What a fountain of strength. My life has altered dramatically because of the peace and physical strength I have found in yoa. From an almost bare beginner (I used to practice), I can now do the bow pose. Something I thought this 45 year old woman was beyond. Tomorrow is the anniversary of theday my freind fell, eventually dying of his wounds. Tomorrow I will take an hour out of my day to feel my breathe come easily and be thankful for my body, his life and the peace I have found, despite the loss of someone I deeply loved as a friend and family of choice.
Thank you.
Yoga helped me heal my broken foot. Gradually added “Yoga for Energy” as I became weight bearing, along with traditional exercise. Sure I gained strength and balance quicker than would have without it. Saw orthopedist at 5 weeks after fracture (walking without crutches etc.) and he stated, “amazed at the amount of healing he was seeing.” He kindly did not add “for a woman of 52″ Thank you Rodney!!