5 Easy Ways to Enhance Your Yoga Practice

Are you in a yoga rut?
Do you feel like your tried and true routine is becoming too routine?
Been there. Done, that.

Below are 5 easy ways you can enhance your yoga practice when you need a little inspiration or new pep in your yoga step!

1. Take your mat outside.

With the weather finally warming up in central New York, a change of location is definitely what the doctor ordered. Gift yourself some vitamin D, a beautiful view and greet the sun on the horizon. 

Don't want to "muddy up" your mat? Warm up with a walk around your local park and try some standing poses. Warrior 1 or 2 anyone? ​

2. Change up your music.

Easy enough!
Sometimes mixing up your music will provide some much needed new inspiration. Tired of that new age mix? Toss in MC Yogi for what I call "Yoga Rap". MC Yogi has songs about Ganesha, Shiva, Buddha, etc. set to a fun poppy beat to keep you flowing. 

Try getting really out of your comfort zone. Try some Metal Yoga. Put on some dark wave techno or even some show tunes!

With these changes, see what happens to your practice. How does your pranayama or breath-work change? Can you slip into meditation or savasana a little easier? ​

3. Add more yoga props!

I loooooove my yoga blocks. Try doing your traditional Sun Salutations while holding a yoga block between your thighs. Don't drop it! See how that changes your Downward Facing Dog and even your Tadasana(Mountain Pose).

Work your balance a little, or a lot, by standing on one block while practicing Tree pose. Place the block down so you can place your foot on the larger surface side. Be sure to check the four points of the foot are in contact with the block--behind the big toe, behind the baby toe and back two corners of the heel.

​4. Close your eyes. 

In a safe place, try closing your eyes for an entire practice. Let go of checking yourself in the mirror or comparing yourself to that Instagram Yogi. Really check in with how the body feels in a specific pose. Check in with your body's alignment; feel the hips in-line with the shoulders in Mountain pose. Check if you're keeping your spine long in a seated twist. 

​If you don't trust you can keep your eyes closed the entire time, I suggest a blindfold or sleeping mask.

​5. Add some Essential Oils.

Diffuse them. Apply them to your body. Maybe even drink them (Be sure they are safe to eat, first!). 

Adding some lemon, orange, or lime oil to your water gives you a little citrus infused energy. I also looooove some Lavender infused Savasana. Put a drop or two on your palms and rub into your neck and shoulders before finding full relaxation. Soak it in. You did it. 

If you're local and looking to try adding essential oils to your practice, join us for our "Breathe: Yoga & Essential Oils" event on May 31st!

Happy Yoga-ing!! 

Sending love,
​- Jenn Rose

(Full Discloser: I am NOT sponsered by DoTerra Essential Oils. I just like and use them.)