How to Get the Most Out of Your Yoga Practice

Yoga offers so many amazing benefits for the body, mind and soul.

I've been teaching yoga for over 11 years now, and practicing consistently for 16.

Yoga truly impacts life.  It's a beautiful practice that changes you on a deep level.

I've taught in many studios, gyms and special events over the years, and no matter if I'm teaching in Rome, Los Angeles, or somewhere else, there are consistent habits I notice that take away from a student's ability to gain the most benefits from this ancient discipline.

With all my years of teaching and what I've seen in class, I wanted to share some tips on how to get the most out of your yoga practice.

One. Be a few minutes early! Get into the room and set up on your mat a few minutes before class begins. I know we have crazy lives, are in a constant state of hurry, and (especially living in LA) there is always the traffic to blame…

But it makes such a difference to not rush to get on your mat. Take time to set up your space and ground down, even before class begins.

Two. Keep your phone out of the room. As a teacher, it’s still incredible to me how many students still have their phones by their mats and check them (or even text) during class. There are iPhone watches now, too, which makes it even harder to step away from the distractions. Unless you are on call or have a possible emergency to be aware of, give yourself the break of that one hour to be fully present with yourself.

We are bombarded by external information these days. To set aside time to be fully present in your practice is a gift you’re giving to yourself. Your texts, emails and Instagram notifications will still be there waiting for you when you finish savasana :)

Three. Stay the entire class! There is an intention and purpose behind every part of a yoga practice…. Savasana (the final resting pose) being the most important! Give yourself the opportunity to stay and reap the benefits of soaking it all up at the end! For your body, your mind and your heart space!

Yoga is also about mindfulness and discipline. You carved out that time in your schedule to take class…get the most out of it by staying.

Four. Really tune into yourself, and use your practice to cultivate a deeper self-awareness. I often see students looking around the room at what others are doing or being too concerned whether they are doing something “wrong.” Just turn inward and feel the posture in your body.

Learn to really honor where your body is at that day. Some days we may want a more challenging physical practice where we’re moving into more difficult options. Other days we may need to skip all chaturangas and take more time in child’s pose.

It’s about really getting to know your body, and developing a mindfulness for what will serve you best and doing that every time you come to your mat.

Five. Take your yoga off your mat! Have you heard the saying, “how you do one thing is how you do everything?” Yoga is a way of living. The physical Asanas (postures) are just one part of it! The Eight Limbed Path of Yoga is a guide of the yogic principles of life! It’s about how you treat yourself…your body and your mind, as well as how you treat others.

Incorporate the mindfulness you bring to your physical practice into every moment of your day. Find patience, compassion, empathy, respect, tolerance, gratitude and love in everything you do, and everyone you come across.

Yoga truly impacts life. It’s such a beautiful practice that changes you on a deep level.

I hope these make a difference for you in your practice and in your life, no matter where your yoga takes you!

Comment or send me a message here if these help, or to share how yoga has changed your life!

Con tanto amore!

xo Jenny

Certified Yoga Instructor, E-RYT 500