All of Yoga

33. The power of a consistent yoga practice

Season 1 Episode 33

Whether you’re brand new to yoga, returning after a break, or looking to deepen your practice, this episode is for you; we're exploring the power of a consistent yoga practice.

We’ll explore what consistency really means, why it matters (backed by science!), and how to start and sustain a practice that fits into your busy life. Plus, I’ll share one of my favourite pieces of yoga philosophy to help you stay grounded when life feels unpredictable.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward building a consistent yoga practice, we’ve got you covered with our Unlimited 7-Day Yoga Pass, just £14.99 for unlimited classes over 7 days.


What you’ll learn in this episode:

🌟 What “consistency” in yoga really looks like (hint: it’s not about perfection!)

🌟 The science behind why regular yoga practice rewires your brain and reduces stress

🌟 Practical tips to start and sustain a yoga practice, even with a busy schedule

🌟 A powerful piece of yoga philosophy from the Bhagavad Gita to inspire your journey

🌟 How the Unlimited 7-Day Yoga Pass can help you explore and build your practice


Resources & links mentioned:

🧘‍♀️ Unlimited 7-Day Yoga Pass: Explore unlimited classes for 7 days for just £14.99. Grab your pass here

🎧 Episode 3: What is Yoga? Listen here

💻 See the shownotes here 

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🌍 Practice yoga online, anytime, anywhere with Yoga Hero, just £9.99 per month here

🤩 Become a yoga teacher with Yoga Hero here (we're in the Top Ten in the UK! 🙌)

[00:00:00] Hi, and welcome to the All of Yoga podcast. I'm so glad you're here. Today we are talking about something that really underpins everything we offer at Yoga Hero. The classes, the [00:01:00] workshops, the courses, the workplace wellness teacher trainings, all of it, the power of a consistent yoga practice.

Whether you've never stepped foot in a studio, you are coming back after a break away from yoga, or you are practicing regularly and wondering what the next step is.

This episode is for you.

Because while yoga is powerful in any form, when it becomes a regular part of your life, well, that is where the magic truly happens.

But let me be clear.

This is not about setting your alarm for five 30 every single morning and committing to a 90 minute practice every single day.

No. This is about how and why to make yoga a part of your busy, unpredictable life where time and energy are precious resources.

Here's what we're covering today.

We'll look at what [00:02:00] consistency really means when it comes to yoga.

We'll look at why consistency matters, and yes, this is backed by science.

Tips to start and sustain your yoga practice.

A little yoga philosophy that's helped me stay inspired and keep consistent practice even when life gets really hectic.

And finally how we can help you take that first step towards building a consistent practice.

Okay, let's get cracking.

What is consistency in yoga? Let's get one thing straight. Consistency definitely doesn't mean doing 90 minute classes at sunrise every day. It means doing something regularly that reconnects you to your body, your breath, your mind.

And that might [00:03:00] be a studio class a week.

It might be 10 minutes of breath work in the morning.

It might be rolling out your mat at home for practice in your pajamas, or it might be committing to a course that keeps you accountable.

Consistency is not about rigid schedules and early morning alarms. It's really about tuning into what your body and your mind need a few times a week, 2, 3, 4 times a week, and showing up for yourself, prioritising yourself in whatever way feels right for you.

And remember, yoga isn't just asana, the physical poses. It's mindfulness, it's focusing on your breath. It's even being kind to yourself and others. And if you want to dive deeper into the fullness of yoga, check out episode three. What is yoga?

Why does consistency matter [00:04:00] Backed by science. Now let's get into the sense because consistency isn't just a nice idea, it's a fact.

Consistency, rewires your brain in helpful ways. The prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that's responsible for purposefully placing your attention for planning for emotional regulation. This becomes much more active with regular practices like yoga. Meanwhile, the amygdala, a part of your brain's fear detection system becomes less vigilant, less reactive over time with these practices.

So what does that actually mean in real life? Well, it means you are less likely to spiral into anxious thoughts. It means you're less likely to go into fight or flight mode unnecessarily.

And when you think about the impact that stress has on your life, on your [00:05:00] digestive system, your immune system, your ability to sleep, even your ability to think clearly and be present, being pulled into the fight or flight response less frequently and less intensely has a hugely positive impact on your physical and mental health.

But here's the key. It's not the length of the practice that matters the most. It's the consistency. One study shows that some of the positive impacts of yoga disappear after eight days.

So even a weekly practice will have a measurable and noticeable difference in your life. So if it helps, you can absolutely aim for smaller, more accessible practices done regularly for your measurable and lasting change.

Starting and [00:06:00] sustaining a yoga practice. So if right now you are thinking, well, I mean this all sounds great, but I find it really hard to stick to anything new. You are not alone. Starting something new, even something that's proven to be so, so good for you can definitely bring up resistance and this is why support matters.

A yoga hero. We've created the unlimited seven day pass to help you take that first step for just 1499. You can explore as many classes as you like over seven whole days, and this pass has been created to remove the barriers that often hold people back, whether it's being short on time, being short on finances, or simply not knowing where to start.

This pass is your opportunity to experiment, find what classes and teachers work for you, and then build a practice that fits into your life. Imagine how you'll [00:07:00] feel after a week of prioritising yourself; more grounded, less stressed, more connected to your body and breath. Your sleep might even, I mean, it probably will improve. You'll likely feel more energised and more present. I mean, the benefits are endless, like it never ceases to amaze me just how incredible this practice is. Anyway, the link to grab your pass is in the show notes and we'd love to see you in the studio or online this week. 

Yoga philosophy, no effort is wasted.

One of my favorite lines from the Bhagavad Gita is this, no effort on this path is ever wasted.

So even when you show up for a short practice, even when your mind has felt distracted throughout the practice. Even when your

practice wasn't on a yoga mat, even if it was on your bed or a chair or in your [00:08:00] pajamas, all of this effort counts.

Hero. I promise you, it all adds up.

Because consistency is not about perfection. And I'm gonna say that again because it's really important. Consistency is not about perfection. It is just about coming back to the practice again and again and remembering that it all counts.

So hero. If you are wondering where to start, the answer is pretty simple. Just start, start small. Start where you are, start again if you need to. And if you want support in building a consistent practice, we are here for you with our unlimited seven day pass, just 1499. The link is in the show notes and it's the perfect way to explore and experiment and see how yoga can fit into your life.

Remember [00:09:00] every little bit you do contributes to the whole, the whole being, your peacefulness, your new neural pathways, your improved physical and mental health.

 Even if it's one minute focusing on your breath in the car before dashing around the supermarket, or a quick stretch before bed, honestly, it all adds up and that is the power of a consistent yoga practice. If you've enjoyed this episode And you are inspired to start your practice, please do send this episode to a friend.

Maybe you can start together and if you'd rate and review this podcast, we would be so, so grateful. And as always, happy practicing.