How long do the benefits of your yoga practice last? Until you walk
into that first business meeting of the day, during the commute to
work just as you hit a traffic snag, the moment before your child has
his/her first tantrum of the day, right before your teacher announces
that you have a very big assignment due tomorrow? Let's face it --
life can be challenging. And habits can be hard to break. Sometimes
the peace and bliss of that 20, 30, 60, or 90 minutes of yoga just
doesn't get us through the day. My question is -- who says that you
have to relegate your yoga to one specific time slot during the day?

I use my yoga constantly throughout my day -- it doesn't end when I
step off the mat. Just before writing this I was engaging in some
deep yogic breathing to calm my rising ire towards my slow as
molasses computer. If you've lost that yoga feeling (can you hear the
strains of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" playing in your head?)
and you want to get it back, try incorporating one -- or all -- of
these yoga breaks into your daily routine.

Traffic jam kirtan/pranayama -- whose blood pressure doesn't rise
when he/she gets stuck in traffic? How about you look at things like
red lights and traffic snarls as opportunities for kirtan fun and/or
pranayama practice? Try chanting OM or doing multiple rounds of
humming breaths (regular inhale, make humming sound on exhale [mouth
closed while making sound]). Feel the vibrations and notice what
happens to the tension in your body. When you're frustrated there's
nothing like making loud sounds to release pent up anger.
The yoga alternative to the afternoon "power nap" -- the average
person views a nap as a luxury. Often, however, it's a necessity.
Recharging in the middle of the day can renew your energy and your
focus. Rather than a power nap, why not try the
detox/restorative/energizing alternative instead -- Viparitta Karani?
Legs Up the Wall pose for 5-10 minutes can turn your attitude -- and
your day -- around. Try covering your eyes with a scented pillow for
an even deeper rest. If you're worried about falling asleep, set an
alarm (preferably a non-jarring one -- try Tibetan bells).
The mindfulness habit-buster -- it's so easy to breeze through your
day on autopilot. Have you ever been in the middle of doing something
only to realize that you really have to go to the bathroom or that
you haven't eaten in well over 4 hours? When you go unconscious like
this, it's easy to fall into bad habits like overeating, negative
self-talk, gossip, etc. Try setting an alarm to go off every hour on
the hour so that you stop what you're doing. Once you stop ask
yourself one simple question -- How am I feeling? Tune into your
body, your emotions, your thoughts and notice what's going on.
Instead of judging or trying to change what you notice, simply
accept. Then ask yourself what you need -- what you really need. Does
your body need a stretch, do you need a hug, do you need a drink of
water, do you need to call a friend? Do one thing that will nourish
your body, mind, and soul. Taking 5-10 minutes each hour to check-in
can have a profound effect on your life.
Take a breath break -- rather than take a coffee break or check your
email for the millionth time, why not take a 3-minute breath break?
Sit quietly and do a balancing breath -- inhale for 5 counts, hold
the inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 5 counts, hold the exhale for 5
counts. Do this pattern 5 times. Notice the difference that oxygen
makes.
Just because you've rolled up your mat for the day doesn't mean that
you can't continue to practice. Recently I noticed that I was getting
downright impatient in traffic and at red lights. Then I started
practicing pranayama anytime I had to stop my car. I went from road
rage to road engage. And when my computer gets cranky -- I let loose
with a very loud Lion roar. Not only does it release any tension I've
stored in my jaw but it makes me feel wonderful -- it even makes me
laugh (which prevents me from throwing my computer out the window).
We've all heard the inspiring expression -- take your yoga off the
mat. Don't just say it -- do it!

Namaste!

From Everything Yoga Blog