03 Aug 20

How to become a yogi and stay motivated

Sue Chater Yoga and Hiking

With so many people in the West jumping onto a yoga mat to counteract their busy lives, you may also be looking at getting involved. Below are some tips to get you started. The great thing about yoga is that you don’t need much – just a mat, commitment and motivation. We promise you won’t regret it.

The yoga industry is experiencing soaring growth worldwide. In Australia alone yoga’s popularity has doubled in the last 10 years, with 1 in 10 Australians now practicing regularly, up from 1 in 20 in 2008. In the USA more than 36 million people regularly practice yoga.

Often, people see yoga as exclusive — designed primarily for young women or for those who are already flexible, athletic, or spiritual. But yoga is in fact suitable for everyone, regardless of gender, age, current level of flexibility or fitness, or relationship with spirituality.

Many people first come to the mat looking for a stretch, but it’s not long before they realise that they are leaving with so much more. Before they know it, regular yoga practice becomes a part of their life that they can no longer live without. The results of yoga can be life-changing, offering people a new sense of connection to themselves and the world around them.

Choosing a yoga mat

When choosing a yoga mat, the material of the mat is important. Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC, otherwise known as vinyl. This is a great option if you are looking for something economical that will give you lots of use over a long period of time, but PVC is not environmentally friendly and is difficult to recycle.

We recommend an eco-friendly yoga mat. There are plenty available and they are usually made from recycled rubber or natural materials. Some good brands include Jade yoga mats, Yogi Peace Club and Second Earth. You can pay as much or as little as you wish. The standard price for a good quality eco-friendly yoga mat is around $100.00. It’s a great investment as it will last you for many years to come.

Clothing

Comfort and fit are the most important considerations for yoga clothes. The right attire will leave you free to enjoy the postures instead of readjusting your outfit. Go for well-fitting cropped or full-length leggings. They will keep you fully covered and the material hugging your legs will absorb sweat and provide you with grip to move into more advanced poses when the time comes. Fitted tops are also good because they will stay put no matter whether you forward fold, twist, backbend or get upside down. Men tend to favour shorts but go for loose stretchable material in your shorts as you will find some of the poses may require more movement than tight running or board shorts allow for.

Commit to a regular practice

Committing to practice yoga regularly is very important, especially if you want to enjoy the many benefits it has to offer. They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Start off small and then build on from there. Perhaps you can set aside 15 minutes three times per week, at times that work for you. After 1 week, you can increase to 20 minutes, and so on. Find a local studio to practice at. With so many studios out there now, it should be easy to find a studio in your area. Try taking a class at a few different places until you find one that you feel a connection with, then sign up for a 1 month membership. You will soon find that you have a place which offers you a great sense of community with other like-minded souls and you will make new friends. This makes it easy to commit as you will soon look forward to spending time at your studio.

How to stay motivated

Set a goal

Whether you want increased flexibility or to become more mindful, set a goal and then work towards it. Keeping your practice regular will see you meet your goals much sooner than you think.

Get your friends involved

Take a friend along to a class, or set up a class with them at home. Having a buddy on your mat next to you keeps yoga fun!

Stay inspired

Try a class with a different teacher, or a new style of yoga. You will learn much from different teachers, take away something unique from every class.

It’s called ‘practice’ for a reason. It’s just that: a practice. And there is no shortcut. Once your new yoga habit is formed it becomes easy and you will soon look forward to spending time on your mat and seeing your own personal yoga journey unfold.

RAW Travel Yoga & Hiking Trips

Yoga and hiking offers the perfect combination of spectacular sights and meditative reflection. Our Yoga & Hiking Trips are a great opportunity connect with nature, de-stress your body, clear the mind and meet new friends.

sign up to our newsletter

explore the world with Raw