5 Yoga Tips To Get You Through The Holidays

Whether you practice every day, three times or once a week, maintaining your yoga practice this time of year can be difficult. There are parties, busy work days, travel and over-all hectic scheduling that can pull you away from your mat. The problem is, many of us can get stressed this time of year, and lose sight of what the holidays are really about. More than ever, our yoga practices are enormously important to keep us sane. It’s been proven that yoga can reduce stress and adapt our brains to think more level-headed. If that’s not a perfect recipe for the holidays, I don’t what is.

But let’s acknowledge, that yes, it’s hard. Consistently making it to your mat is the most important — and yet one of the hardest — things to do. Over the years, I’ve come to find little tips and tricks to keep my yoga practice consistent no matter what the external forces may be. Here are five tips from what I’ve learned to help ensure that you get those asanas in:

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…But before we dive in, a big thank you to my gorgeous model. Candace is a yoga teacher in the Philadelphia area, and she’s full of amazing spirit. Check out her blog and Instagram for a deeper look into her yoga practice!

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Tip One: Set up a yoga area at home and leave it there

Find a space in your house where you can build a little yoga area. Lay out your mat, keep your blocks set up, and have some incense nearby. It’s much easier to make yourself hit the mat if it’s there ready and waiting. It’s even better if it’s at home because then you don’t have to go anywhere to actually get your yoga in. It’s also especially handy if you like to do early morning yoga. You can easily wake up and wander to your mat, letting yourself fully awaken as you settle in with your breath and begin moving your body.

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Tip Two: Get a space heater

In most states, December is cold. It makes you want to do, well, nothing. To overcome that, I have a little space heater set up near my yoga mat, and I turn it on 5-10 minutes before I hit the mat. By the time I come back into the room, the space is nice and warm. It’s like a little escape from winter, and makes the yoga practice that much more sweet. Not to mention you’ll really get a sweat going once you get into it.

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Tip Three: Sign up for a streaming service

With all the crazy scheduling and travel this time of year, it can be hard to make your yoga studio’s schedule fit with your own. That’s why streaming services are a great supplement to your class regimen. Late at night, or in a hotel room — you can pull them up whenever and wherever you’d like. Most only cost $10-$15 a month, so you won’t be breaking the bank, and you may even be incentivized to get in more yoga than you did before. Some streaming services that are great to check out include Udaya, My Yoga Works, and YogaGlo.

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Tip Four: Take a minute to plan your week

I find it’s much easier to get in yoga when I pre-plan which days I should do it. Do yourself a favor, and sit down on Sundays to think through what’s coming up over the next seven days. Plan which days you will hit your mat, and then try your hardest to stick with it. Be sure you’re not just filling every free moment with yoga though. Be realistic. Planning your week also involves making time for socializing and down time. Every life needs balance.

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Tip Five: Shorten your practice

Some days, you just won’t be able to get in those juicy, sweaty 90 minutes. That’s ok. Just 15 minutes of yoga is better than nothing. Even sitting cross-legged on your mat and doing breath work is beneficial for the mind. Sometimes you’ll plan to do 20 minutes, and you’ll end up doing 60 once you get going. Whatever you have time for, do it. The important thing is getting on your mat.

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+ I hope that this post is helpful to keep you yoga-ing all month long. But maybe you have something to share as well. Tell us, how do you maintain your practice through the holidays? Please leave your tips in the comments below!

Follow Naomi on Instagram @NumieAbbot

Check out Naomi’s blog Numie Abbot

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maggie
9 years ago

where did she get her pink and gray yoga pants? I love those!

Stephanie
9 years ago

Agreed about the pink and gray, I need a pair!

Katie
9 years ago

Ack, yoga is not about working up a “juicy sweat.”

9 years ago

Yes, those pink & gray pants are killer!

9 years ago

Hi guys, these pants will be up on the Free People site soon!

9 years ago

such great ideas! I also really love to add a few yoga stretches and poses during work – when I’m copying or faxing, I always have time for a quick warrior 1 or a front bend. when I’m sitting in my chair I love to do a twist here and there…. thank you for sharing your lovely pictures!

http://averyfairytale.wordpress.com/

9 years ago

love

9 years ago

I want to try yoga so bad!! But I don’t know nothing about it (how to star) and I’m being lazy and not doing research.
Now I’m committed to research and give it a try!!

Sarah
9 years ago

Admila and all of you who might be interested,

Look up Ekhart Yoga online. It’s a wonderful online yoga studio with classes for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced yogis. It also has a lot of different styles of yoga and a range of amazing experienced yoga teachers, so it’s easy to find something that suits your needs. I signed up in May of this year and it really helped me start and keep my yoga practice. They have some free classes, so you can try those first and see for yourself what they’re all about.

I don’t get paid to advertise them, I’m writing this because this studio is truly a blessing.

Namasté to all

9 years ago

Amazing and inspiring post for the winter months. Just went through a fast practice this pending and it did feel great to get the work in, even if only for a little bit. (:

9 years ago

Love this post ! :) I’m trying to settle a routine for yoga practice so these tips are amazing !
Thanks for sharing!

http://www.alanaandkyra.com/

9 years ago
9 years ago

love the idea of the space heater! I live in houston but it still gets chilly here a few months out of the year and you’re right…I don’t want to do anything when it’s cold ;) Thanks for the inspo…

charity
lifeafterbaseball.net

9 years ago

Thank you for this. I’m finding it hard to keep my practice going right now and the idea of just keeping my mat out all the time in an area makes so much sense! I’m wondering why I didn’t think of that before! Namaste.

9 years ago

I’ve tried yoga a couple of times and never really liked it… but maybe, years later, it might be time to try again!
xoxo Kennedy
Northern Indigo

9 years ago

I adore these tips! Especially the space heater.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

Just doing five simple yoga exercises and I feel like I am halting old age!

8 years ago

All-round fitness. You are truthfully strong when you are not just bodily fit but also mentally and expressively balanced. Health is not a mere absence of sickness. It is a dynamic look of life – in terms of how joyful, loving and excited you are.” This is where yoga helps: postures, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation are a holistic fitnes

thats awesome

7 years ago

such awesome thoughts! I additionally truly love to add a couple yoga extends and postures amid work – when I’m replicating or faxing, I generally have time for a fast warrior 1 or a front twist. when I’m sitting in my seat I want to do a turn here and there…Thanks for sharing more…
http://www.magicweightlose.com

7 years ago

Astonishing and moving post for the winter months. Just experienced a quick practice this pending and it felt awesome to get the work in, regardless of the fact that lone for a tiny bit
http://www.aquaguard-ro.co.in

7 years ago

I’m trying to settle a routine for yoga practice so these tips are amazing, I Love this post

7 years ago

I read your information and get awesome information about yoga.
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7 years ago

These yoga tips will improve my health. Thanks for these tips. Will add this in daily yoga routine.
Regards
Jiya

Your yoga tips really improve my health. I carefully read your content and get good yoga idea.