How to create a yoga routine and how to stick to it?

We tend to have a love/hate relationship with routines. Deep inside us we know it makes life easier (less decisions to make) and safer (we know where we are going). But our emotional brain is also pushing us to remember the excitement that usually comes with unplanned events. Adding covid 19, we are all chasing lightness and fun.

But let’s face it, while those ahah moments brought us lots of joy, they are pretty rare and having an installed routine will not prevent them to occur. The only difference will be that in the meantime, having a routine will bring us long-term balance.

Installing a routine is not an overnight process

You have probably tried many times, whether it was a gym membership, or setting your alarm clock at 6am. Our issue is not about willing and trying it’s about sticking to it. 

Why? Because life gets in the way and we often feel that missing one opportunity to commit means the end so we gradually drop. That’s our perfectionist brain talking and good news, it doesn’t matter if you mess up every now and then. Scientific studies have shown that creating better habits is not an all-or-nothing process.

We also often read that it takes 21 days to form new habits, the reality is that it will take you anywhere from two to eight months to build a new behaviour so we better be starting !

How to succeed?

The very first thing is to find something you love. We are not here to suffer, we want to find pleasure in what we do, which does not mean we won’t like to be challenged too but if you hate hot yoga just find something else! This is extra important because the day where you will feel low-energy or not willing to show-up, doing something you like will be much easier. Be reasonable so you keep showing-up and commit to it.

Secondly, you need to be intentional about this new habit. Intentional in the way your talk about it, whether it is externally (accountability is always helpful), or to yourself. And you need to intentionally create space for it. When I was in Investment Banking, I booked my lunches for my yoga classes, and over time people knew lunch was not working for me.

When creating space for it, you should objectively consider your other obligations, whether it is work related, family stuff, charity commitment, … You don’t want to commit to 1 hour per day if this is simply not feasible. Setting up yourself for failure will only bring guilt which won’t serve having the right mindset to succeed. The idea is to be reasonable so you keep showing-up.

Last but not least, start small. Make your goal easily achievable because like anything you start, this will be difficult in the beginning but the more consistent you will be the quicker you will see some benefits and the easier you will naturally come to your mat.

Now, pause for a sec, what attainable goal are you setting up for yourself?