An Imperfect Yoga Practice in an Imperfect World

Enjoying a down dog with my two labs and a nine month old AE.

Just before daybreak, my internal alarm clock gently wakes me from a restful slumber. Everyone in my house is still asleep, and I blissfully float down to my home yoga studio and roll out my mat. As my practice begins, the song birds provide the musical accompaniment. Over the hour and a half I spend on the mat, the sunrise provides an increasing light that seems metaphorical for the way my body awakes with every asana…

At least that’s how I dream of it all happening.

Reality is quite different these days. My yoga mat is in the living room, surrounded by my daughter’s toys. It’s sometime before noon, if it’s a good day. The musical accompaniment is a the seemingly constant chatter of a toddler. My two labs provide kisses in some poses and act as props in others. Periodically, my “flow” is interrupted because my beautiful baby girl needs some mommy attention.

The “obstacles” that make getting to the mat challenging for you might be a little different. Maybe it’s a busy schedule, exhaustion, a long “To Do” list, or simply a lack of commitment. But, your obstacles don’t have to be deal breakers. So often, we have this picture in our minds of what our yoga practice should look like. And, if we can’t make that picture reality, we give up on the practice all together.

I want to encourage you to let go of your “perfect” picture, and embrace reality. Here are three ideas for easy ways to incorporate your practice into your everyday life:

1. 1. Stand on one foot and pay attention to your breath for a few moments while you are waiting . . . in line at the grocery store, for the metro, at the printer. This will improve your balance and facilitate your mind-body connection.
2. 2. Brush your teeth with your least dominant hand to improve balance between the right and left sides of your body.
3. 3. Just before bed, take two minutes to move your spine in all six directions it moves – flexion (cat tilt), extension (dog tilt), side bending in both directions and twisting to both sides.

Once you see the power of these small modifications, you may find it easier to commit to some quality time on your mat a couple of times a week. (You may even be ready to register for some virtual yoga classes!)

A regular yoga practice is a wonderful thing, and I believe the world would be a better place if everyone at least practiced Savasana (relaxation) every day. But, I also know that small changes are powerful. If you can’t have the perfect practice, enjoy an imperfect one!

I’m so thrilled that a few of my readers  have shared the stories of their “imperfect” yoga practices here at Every Breath I Take. Take a few minutes to check out their stories!

– Real People Do Yoga – A Mom’s Story
– Real People Do Yoga – Kiddos Welcome

Do you practice yoga outside of a public class? I’d love to hear about it! Whether it’s a formal practice where you roll out your mat or just a few poses you squeeze in at the office, I would love to feature your story here at Every Breath I Take. 

I’m looking for a guest posts to run periodically in the Yoga section from real people who find a way to practice yoga outside of a formal yoga class. I want readers to hear that it’s possible and beneficial – from someone other than a yoga teacher like myself. 

It doesn’t have to be long, just a few paragraphs about what your “home” (or office or grocery store or hotel, etc.) practice looks like. Please send guest post submissions to jennifer@everybreathitake.com. (If you have a blog or a website, include it so I can link to it in your guest post!)

Next week I’ll be featuring the story of a wonderful mother who makes room for yoga in her life with two kiddos!