Guest Blog: 5 Steps for Enhancing a Yoga Practice Without Excessive Expenses
Yoga has the power to transform your life for the better. If you’ve taken a few classes here and there, you may already know this. And if you’ve practiced at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, you may have watched your skills grow. But when you’re ready to take your practice to a new level, you may be more concerned with how taking more classes and lessons will transform your budget. Yoga can be an expensive habit to maintain, but it doesn’t have to, especially when you use these budget-savvy steps to build a better yoga practice.
Pick Up Some Used Yoga Equipment with Promo Codes
Maintaining a consistent practice is one of the best ways to improve your understanding of yoga. After all, that’s why it’s called a practice to begin with—because working through a few poses every single day is the only way to get better. Of course, having a few props and tools doesn’t hurt either, and picking up gear to support your practice doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. You can use promo codes and cash-back offers to order used items from sites like Overstock. This will give you even more savings off of eBay’s already deeply discounted prices on gently used yoga equipment, such as clothing, props, and mats.
Use That Discounted Yoga Gear to Create a Yoga Room
If you can work some used yoga equipment into your budget, you may be able to save even more cash on your practice in the long run. That’s because you can use all of that gear you purchased from eBay to establish a yoga space in your home. A yoga room can provide the quiet and focus you need to stay present during your practice sessions, but an empty corner can also work if your home is on the smaller side. So long as you keep this space free of clutter and fill it with positive energy, you can practice at home and avoid paying for pricey yoga classes.
Download a Yoga or Meditation App for Added Motivation
Having a dedicated space where you can keep your mat and props laid out can provide motivation to get on your mat each day. However, if you are still having a hard time fitting yoga into your daily schedule, then using a yoga app may be a simple way to encourage more consistency in your practice. Many of these smartphone apps offer free content, but even paid apps are likely to be less expensive than a studio membership. You can also use many of these apps to practice meditation along with yoga. Seasoned yogis know that mediation can be more crucial than physical postures, so long as you focus on your breath and avoid simply zoning out.
Use Intentions to Create a Sense of Focus During Practice
When you want to establish a new habit or achievement, you typically set goals to keep yourself focused. So why not try setting goals for your yoga routine, to provide some added motivation to come to your mat? Keep in mind that while they can be complementary, intentions and goals are different in that your intention should rest on a sentiment you would like to cultivate during your time on the mat, while a goal should be measurable, such as practicing 7 minutes per day.
Look for Budget-Friendly Ways to Sample Different Yoga Classes
Using yoga apps and used equipment to establish a home practice can provide the motivation needed to practice every day, or at least a few times per week, without spending a small fortune. While those savings can be important for sticking to your budget, attending classes can also be important for getting those poses right and finding modifications that will help you avoid potential injuries. So look for studio specials online to help fit those classes into your budget, and also look for instructors who provide added motivation to further your practice.
Creating attainable goals and maintaining a consistent practice are necessary steps towards becoming a more dedicated yogi. It never hurts to keep your yoga practice affordable as well. Use the steps above to elevate your practice without stressing out over your budget.
Photo Credit: Rawpixel
