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How Do I Modify My Yoga Practice When Life Gets Crazy?

May 20, 2014 By Monica Stone 15 Comments

“Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” ― James Allen

Your life is turned completely upside down. You have an endless to do list. You check one thing off and add 10 more.  You can’t stick to your normal schedule. You wake up every morning exhausted. You set the intention to practice every day, but end up sleeping instead. Sound familiar? 

Remember that practice will help you get through these difficult times, so it’s better to practice every day then to not practice at all. 

It seems like my life is always in an intense transition, so I have a good amount of experience with this. The first time this happened, I struggled to fit in my whole practice. I tried changing my practice to nights, but that didn’t work because I would get home and just want to chill. A friend would call to grab dinner, and instead of saying, “No, I have to practice,” I’d go and hang out.

Even though mornings and nights are beneficial, morning practice always wins. I prefer to let the energy of the practice carry me through the day and have my nights free.

Once you decide on your practice time, schedule it in and keep it consistent. 

If you’re experiencing insanity, here’s a guide on how to modify your yoga practice and still keep it traditional and consistent.

Too busy to make it to yoga? No problem. Here’s a guide that anyone can do at home!

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always take practice.jpg

 

A. Always start with the opening mantra <click here> (You can even chant it with me every morning)!

B. Five  Surya Namaskara A (Sun Salutations)

C. Five Surya Namaskara B

Sun Salutations are the most important because they teach you how to slow down, steady the breath, and steady the mind. Don’t think of these as a warm up. Sun Salutations are really their own separate practice, and should be treated like that.  

Surya A&B

 

D. Three Urdhva Dhanurasana (Backbends or Bridges): Always try to push up unless you have a known injury – even if you just lift up to your head. If it feels impossible, or if you’re a little scared – still try.Screen Shot 2014-05-18 at 9.25.39 PM

E. Forward Bend – Always hold a forward bend for 10 to 15 breaths after backbends to release any pressure from the lower back, or any area focusing on the spine. 

Screen Shot 2014-05-19 at 8.01.56 PM

F. Three Closing Postures: These are just as important as the Sun Salutations. Even if you don’t have time for backbends, make time for The Closing Three. Hold each of these for 10 of your deepest breaths. When you get to Utpluthih, tune in, and don’t shorten the breath. 

G. Chant the Closing Mantra with me! <click here>

H. Take Savasana (final resting posture): Hold this for at least 10 minutes, and try not to fall asleep. It’s common to fall asleep, but the purpose is to increase your awareness and let go of distractions. During sleep the mind becomes distracted.  

Final three.jpg

I attended a Kino MacGregor workshop, and she mentioned that Guruji still considered this a full Ashtanga Practice. I personally find that if I am going through transitions, and I take a step back committing to this format, then it’s only a matter of time before my full practice returns. 

Practice is your path to inner peace, so plan your life around your practice, not the other way around. 

Good luck and Namaste!

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Filed Under: Instruction

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

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Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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