How to Improve Your Yoga Practice. Yoga is one of the best activities you can do to improve your overall health and well-being. While it comes with physical health benefits like strength, balance and flexibility, it’s also known to help combat anxiety, stress and depression. All levels of yoga yield benefits, but if you stay open to intensifying your practice along the way, you will stand to gain more and more.
The best part about upping your yoga game is that you can do it on a budget, whether you decide to add yoga props or turn to electronics. If the time has come to improve your yoga practice, here are some cost-effective tips to get you started:
Use Tech to Improve Your Yoga Practice
Tech has its drawbacks, but it can also be used to your advantage when it comes to yoga. For instance, putting a smart TV in your home will allow you to follow along with your favorite yoga instructors on YouTube. That way, you can still get your practice in on days you can’t make it to class. Don’t just buy the first TV you see, however; look around for stores that offer the best electronics deals and compare prices.
Upgrade your phone.
Another way to do yoga outside of class is by using yoga apps on your smartphone. With numerous apps offering music, tutorial videos and more, you can practice your asanas from wherever you are.
In order to reap the benefits of apps, however, you need to make sure your phone can handle the latest apps. If it turns out you need a more up-to-date smartphone, be sure to find a phone and data plan that offer you the most for your money. Some providers will give you credit toward the latest iPhone (or similar model). If you’re going to use your phone to practice yoga outside your home (maybe even outdoors), you’ll need a plan that can handle the extra data so you won’t get hit with charges for overage.
Treat your chronic illness.
One surprising benefit of yoga is how much it can help those with a chronic illness. For example, practicing yoga on a regular basis can help to reduce the stress and fatigue that often come with a chronic illness, as well as strengthen your immune system. It can even spark your parasympathetic nervous system, which can facilitate healing and sleep. Here are some styles of yoga to consider for treating chronic illness:
- Yoga Therapy
- Restorative Yoga
- Yin Yoga
- Hatha Yoga
- Yoga Nidra
Get extra equipment.
If you’ve practiced yoga at all, or have even read about it, you know the importance of a quality yoga mat and clothing. However, there are additional items you may consider that can fit within your budget and enhance your practice. For instance, if you have trouble reaching the floor during standing stretches, yoga blocks can provide a stable surface to help you increase your flexibility. Also, yoga straps can help you improve your alignment in difficult poses, and practicing with an exercise ball is another option for gaining balance and flexibility.
Step up your water game.
It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re practicing yoga on a regular basis. Since regular water can get boring after a while, try mixing it up to make sure you are drinking enough. The most cost-effective option is to make a jug of fruit-infused water to keep in your fridge. However, if you want a different kick to your water, you can buy naturally-enhanced sparkling water at most grocery stores for roughly the same cost as soda.
Improving your yoga practice doesn’t require you to make drastic changes, and you can usually do it within your budget. Consider getting a smart TV to practice at home, and make use of yoga apps on your smartphone. If you live with a chronic illness, look into the various yoga styles that can help. Finally, explore budget-friendly equipment that can enhance your practice, and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Pair with other workouts
It’s also a little known fact that strength and endurance training can really amp up your yoga practice. If you’re pursuing an advanced yoga such as Ashtanga, which is very physically demanding, pairing this with additional training is a great way to deepen into the physical aspects of yoga.
Check out Rebecca’s post on other no-gym workouts here.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Author:
Sheila Johnson
ZENthusiast
[email protected]
wellsheila.net
