How do you define your yoga practice? Do you practice yoga because you 'should'? Because your doctor told you to? Because it's in vogue?
Yoga in the western world is very much a visual thing, which kinda makes it easier to understand. We come to class (either in the studio or online) and see our teachers sit on their mats before us. We copy what they show and teach us as best we can. We can see it. We can understand it. It's visual, it's copy-cat, it's obtainable . . .just. We see yoga all over Instagram with images of glossy backbends and insane arm balances, and these images are etched into our minds, burning imprints of what apparently yoga is. But I'm here to tell you all that yoga is sooooo much more than that.
I always say to practice yoga on the mat AND off the mat. And it's the 'off the mat' part of yoga which is the hardest. WHY? Because you can't see it. You can't copy it. You haven't got your favourite teacher following you around for the 23 hours of the day when you are outside of the studio, with them showing and guiding you as to what yoga is off the mat. You stumble and fall and make it up as you go along, trying to practice yoga mentally off the mat. But its this practice here off the mat, which ultimately shapes us, nurtures us, guides us, comforts us, inspires us . . . in all areas of life, as well as on the mat.
Let's look at some examples of how we can be more mindful and in touch with our emotions and ourselves, be less anxious and be more grounded, finding yoga in little pockets throughout the day.
SET THE SCENE
I don't know about you, but I'm a veeeeeery visual person (must be the designer in me!) And so, my mood can be a reflection of my surroundings.
If I'm struggling with the crazy that life brings to us sometimes, I try and carve out time for me to just sit in an environment where I feel cocooned, stimulated, supported and loved, all delivered by my surroundings.
So, set the scene to support you off the mat and enjoy being in the moment.
MOOD LIGHTING
It's alllll about the lighting - especailly as we come out of summer and come into autumn / winter.
So dig out the fairy lights, light the candles and again, set the scene and tone for your surroundings. If you have a favourite smell, buy some scented candles and practice being in the moment as you strike the match and light the candle. Watch the candle burn and flicker softly and maybe even use this as a visual meditation for 5 mins of the day, morning or night. Visual meditation with a candle can be a great tool to set yourself up for the day, or wind down for a good nights sleep.
CUP OF TEA OR HOT CHOCOLATE
Being British is what we do best. And that includes millions cups of tea!
It can be any of your favourite comfort drinks - mint tea, ginger and lemon infusion, classic British tea, or a luxury hot chocolate with all the whipped cream and mashmellows you can fit into you mug! Whatever your drink, again, take the time to enjoy and absorb the experience. Yes, drinking tea can and should be an experience. See the hot milk as you pour it into your mug. Watch the coco powder mix and swirl into the milk and change colour. Hear the sound of the whipping cream and textures it creates as it oozes out of the nozzle. See and smile watching the pillows of mashmellows nestle into the cream. Wrap your hands around the mug and feel the warmth. This is an experience. This is self care. This is love. This is being in the moment.
These are examples of how to carve out some time for yourself, and learn to find the yoga in the smaller things that fill our days. Being more mindful and learning to see these things as experiences will help to teach us not to take things for granted (something I am not good at doing as I rush a lot of things!) For example, I'm in my car I'm always rushing and it's not because I'm late (I'm the most organised on-time person ever!) I just hate driving the speed limit and driving slow. So one of the things I'm learning to practice is taking my time and being in the moment, and driving the speed limit and observing my drive and my journey. It's a great exercise to help teach me to slow down. It's exactly the same with pouring the hot water into the cup for your tea - I rush to pour it in to get the job done. But why? Again, I'm in no rush, so why rush the process. I'm learning to take my time, slow down and be in the moment.
There is a lot more to yoga philosophy than just being mindful. But for now, I think this is a good place to start when wanting to learn to practice yoga off the mat, with conscious movement of being present. It's a great place to start where these little pockets of mindfulness are teaching us new habits and teaching us to break old habits. They are setting the groundwork for future yoga philosophy learnings. Looking after our minds is THE MOST IMPORTANT element of yoga and it starts with self-care. Let me know how it works for you and get in touch - would love to hear from you and how you practice yoga off the mat.