How to Stay Motivated

I often get asked how I stay motivated with my yoga practice and training routine.

I rarely feel not motivated. I mostly look forward to that time in my day when I will have time to do a workout or do some yoga. I wasn’t always like this. I lived a sedentary life, and the thought of working out was not something I dealt with.

Even though I always dreamed of being strong and flexible I never really thought I would get there, I had zero motivation.

It all changed when I started practicing yoga. I had never done it before nor was I even a little bit flexible. I couldn’t reach my toes while folding forward; I was stiff as hell.

But there was something about each class that kept me going back for more. I still remember the first time I was able to touch my toes, I felt like I was the most flexible one in the whole room. That was the thing that got me, with each tiny improvement I had, I saw that it was possible, I could do it.

Sometimes people lose their motivation because they want to see improvements fast. We live in a fast world, and so we think that our bodies can achieve things quickly too. That’s not the case when it comes to training. Our bodies need time, and when you give it time you start to see the improvements.

So here are five tips for you to stay motivated in your yoga practice and training:

1. Start slow:

Many people take in too much right at the start, then the next days as the body hurts everywhere, they quit. I suggest spending at least a month doing a full body workout three times a week combining it with yoga classes either in a studio or practicing yoga at home. For a workout it could be something like; 20 kettlebell swings, 10 push-ups, 20 lunges, some core then the next day take a yoga class, if you don’t have the time for a full class, do some online yoga at home, even a few sun salutations will make it. Focusing on the whole body will allow you to start developing general strength. It takes 15-30 minutes, and you will be feeling great!

2. Focus on the feeling you get after your workout:

The beginning can be hard, especially if working out is not your thing but we can all relate to the feeling you get when you finish. It’s pure bliss! It makes you feel good about your self as you watch your achievements. So think about it, feel it and let it move you to start.

3. Workout with whatever you have handy:

No gym, no problem. Buy a yoga mat, an adjustable set of dumbbells, a kettlebell and you are ready to start. If you can’t afford it look around, your home is full of stuff you can use. Stop focusing on what you don’t have and start moving with what you have handy. You can create a fun and challenging workout almost anywhere.

4. Use the time you have:

You don’t need 1 hour, be consistent and use the 10-15 minutes you’ve got. I can assure you that you will start having much more energy and soon enough you won’t be able to skip your workout or yoga because you know you feel much better after it.

You can find yoga workouts and yoga classes online with me on Yogateket or practice with me in Uppsala at Hot Yoga Uppsala.  If you are new to yoga don’t worry, you can find yoga for beginners to give you a good start and if you are a yoga teacher, then you can find lots of new ideas and motivation for your home practice and teaching.

Let’s help each other and stay motivated together!