Often, many people are afraid that practising yoga will take up a lot of their time. Families, children, work, social life, and responsibilities towards others – where can they fit in an additional two hours for daily practice? What should they sacrifice? Sleep? Food? Time with loved ones? In reality, there are many ways to accommodate the needs of today’s modern lifestyle without compromising the authenticity of the ancient science and tradition of classical Yoga. We will discuss some of these ways, and hopefully, they will inspire you to practice within your own environment and abilities. Daily yoga is a system of yoga that can be practised and utilised by all people in most of life’s circumstances – regardless of age, profession, education, health, culture, or belief.
So how can Yoga fit into our everyday lives?
The simplest example is when people, inspired by yoga, change their habits. For example, they give up meat and become vegetarians. They quit smoking, alcohol, and other stimulants because they no longer need them. We can practice yoga during moments of intimacy, sleep, while eating, listening to music, and while enjoying the beauty of nature, among other things. The opportunities to practice yoga in everyday life are practically limitless. By adhering to the basic principles of yoga (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha), we interact with the world and people in all aspects – work, relationships, parenting, friendship, etc.
Thus, the practice of yoga extends far beyond the yoga hall and continues in our everyday activities. How else can you practice daily yoga? Start with simple tasks. For example, when you hear a melody, determine which chakra it activates and save it for subsequent musical meditations. When you encounter a person, even if they are not someone you particularly like, determine their dominant chakra and think about what positive qualities in their behaviour and manners you can learn from. You can also use any free moment to practice meditation – why not? After all, you can meditate anywhere.
How to add Yoga to your daily routine
Suppose you are a working person with a standard workweek. When you wake up in the morning, don’t immediately reach for your mobile phone. Dedicate the first few minutes after waking up to your dreams. Remembering your dreams will open the door between your consciousness and subconsciousness. Record your dreams, and who knows, soon you may be able to achieve lucid dreaming (yoga nidra)!
Use the morning time for self-suggestions. Simple words like “Every day in every way I feel better and better,” repeated several times, will be an excellent start to your day, filling you with optimism and positive energy. Perform consecration, dedicating all your actions to God – and you will see how fruitful your day will be. If you pray, then pray. And don’t forget to set aside a few minutes for morning Kriya practices.
As you can see, we have already listed several ways to start your day with yoga, and all of this can be done before breakfast! Even breakfast can become part of your practice if you express gratitude to the Universe for it and eat mindfully.
Practice mindfulness throughout the day
Continue to practice mindfulness throughout the day. When you walk to work, do it consciously. Breathe rhythmically, engage in simple pranayama, focus on the third eye, on Muladhara chakra, on Manipura chakra. For people who complain about lack of willpower, walk fast and resolutely. Focus. Practice your yoga right on the street. Receive telluric energy from the earth.
If you drive a car, you can also use the time behind the wheel for yoga practice. Concentrate. Focus. By the time you reach your workplace, you will have worked well with your Ajna chakra.
If you commute to work by public transport, don’t waste time. You can practice mudras, make music meditations, focus on the upper chakras, and practice some standing asanas. And if you travel for work, use that time as well. Meditate. At an altitude of ten thousand meters, the atmosphere is peculiar, and you are closer to the energy of space. Meditate.
Seize every opportunity to practice yoga!
Even your work, which seems so far from yoga, is full of opportunities for its practice. If your work is physical, use it as fitness to develop your weak points, strengthening your Muladhara and Manipura chakras. Mechanical work is good for repeating mantras. If you have intellectual work, use it to stimulate your upper chakras. If your work involves a lot of socializing, use it for Svadhisthana. Develop leadership skills, strengthen Manipura. If your work requires empathy and sympathy, work with the Anahata chakra. If you work in nature, you can charge your prana and connect with the Sun.
During leisure time, you can also practice yoga. While watching movies, allow yourself to be receptive. Identify the dominant chakra of the film and absorb its energy. And if, for example, you attend a sports event, you can be emissive and bless the people around you. If you attend a party with many people you don’t know, test your protection techniques. Try to absorb low energy and then burn it. If you have a lot of energy, dance until four in the morning. Share your good energy at the party. Give it as a gift – spiritualize people around you. After all, you can always transmit good energy to people who are confused or spiritually blind – and who knows, maybe you will even inspire them to practice yoga, why not?
As you can see, there are numerous ways to incorporate the practice of yoga into your everyday life. We are sure that you will find even more vivid examples from your own experience and practice. The most important thing is to always remember that you are a yogi not only in the yoga hall, but everywhere you are physically and mentally present.
Watch the lecture given by Swami Vivekananda Saraswati about yoga in daily life:
