Fitness Blog

Has your yoga practice plateaued? We all get stuck in ruts from time to time, both on and off the mat. Instead of letting it discourage you, take it as a sign that you need to mix things up. By making a few simple tweaks to your routine using technology and props, you can challenge yourself and take your yoga practice to new heights.

Turn Up the Temperature

If you’re getting bored in your basic yoga class, kick things up a notch at hot yoga. Hot yoga, also known as Bikram yoga, delivers an intense workout. Since the high temperatures used in hot yoga promote flexibility, it’s easier to achieve technical poses you’ve been working toward.

Hot yoga is harder on your cardiovascular system, however, so it’s critical you speak with your physician prior to beginning this practice, particularly if you have a heart condition. You’ll also want to adequately hydrate before class because you’ll be sweating a lot! Speaking of which: If you prefer to keep your phone with you in class, get a waterproof case so you don’t risk destroying it with sweat. As one example, a LifeProof case allows you to still have full access to your phone’s buttons and functions.

Hold Your Yoga Poses Longer

Speeding up your flow or turning up the thermostat aren’t the only ways to make your yoga practice more intense. Slow flow styles that emphasize holding poses for long periods are surprisingly difficult. While Vinyasa flows test your flexibility and balance, slow-flow styles like Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga challenge endurance and strength. Holding poses for a longer period also helps you perfect your alignment, so you’re less prone to injury.

Practice Yoga Three or More Times Per Week

When you only get on the mat occasionally, it’s difficult to make progress in your yoga practice. While a once-a-week yoga session is valuable for tuning into your body and mind, it’s not the sustained physical challenge you need to develop strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Remember, it is possible to overdo it. Every athlete needs rest days, whether you’re running marathons or doing a slow flow. Practicing yoga three to five times per week is an excellent goal, but don’t feel like you need to get on the mat every single day.

Grow Your Home Practice with Online Videos

If you’re struggling to fit more yoga practice into your schedule (or your budget), practice at home for some of your weekly sessions.

There are tons of yoga videos and yoga apps (such as Daily Yoga) available online, so it’s easy to pull one up on your phone and practice anywhere, whether that’s a dedicated yoga space in your home or a mat rolled out in the backyard. Home practice is also a great opportunity to try new poses that you might be too shy to experiment with in class, like AcroYoga with a partner.