Tips To Overcome A Yoga Rut

Does it feel like you are stuck with your yoga practice and don’t know what to do? Every yoga practitioner has been there. Feeling stuck happens to practically everyone. You find yourself on the mat, practicing the same yoga poses again and again, and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything out of them. 

It feels like you are no longer learning something new. You feel uninspired. Maybe it doesn’t feel good being in a rut, but you don’t know what you can do to deal with it. Every day it feels as though there is nothing you can do to get those hamstrings open despite efforts of practicing yoga daily. 

What do you do then? Learning how to make yourself feel better is one thing you need to do for yourself. There is no one out there who can help you. Getting out of a slump is something you must do on your own. 

What Can You Do To Overcome A Yoga Rut?

Whenever it feels like you are stuck in your practice or have been doing the same thing repeatedly, it is best to take a moment to reflect. It is time to think of ways to make yourself feel better. 

Here are some tips to help you get out of a yoga rut so you can start enjoying your practice again.

Tip 1: Determine your limitations

Everyone gets that feeling sometimes. It happens to both people’s personal and professional life. You can typically determine your barriers to joy so that you can think of ways to get them out of the way. 

The same approach can be used to identify what makes you feel like you are stuck in your yoga practice. The next time you sit on the mat ready for yoga, take a moment to think about what part of your practice needs a bit of extra work. 

Are you flexible enough to do several types of poses, but you find it extremely hard to do the poses that require more strength than flexibility? Do you avoid certain poses because you’re too prideful?

Be honest with yourself. Take note of it in your yoga journal. You can then work on a plan to help you find strength for the areas where you feel you are most limited. 

Tip 2: Practice the poses that you are not very good at

While playing with what you are good at may be good, the best way to keep on growing is to try the things that you are not an expert at. Focus your attention on areas of your yoga practice that you consider not to be your specialty.

When you work on the things you are not very good at yet, you allow yourself to grow. For example, whenever it feels like you have hamstrings made of iron and that opening them up is not as easy for you as it is for others, then it might make more sense if you include practices that will improve your forward-folding motion. 

Or, if you find your poses are good, but you don’t feel like they are good enough, perhaps you need to include a bit more meditation in your yoga practice. Overall, focusing on improving areas that are not as developed is the key to genuinely bringing in transformation in your life. 

Tip 3: Make a practice schedule and consider alternatives

Doing the same set of yoga poses every day can become quite dull. It is not just a feeling, but your body can express that one too. When you do the same poses, your muscles can become cranky, and your joints tired. 

To avoid this situation, make sure to use alternate practice programs. For example, you can create a yoga sequence of poses that will be used every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Then, you can do something else for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

Maybe you can sign up for a cardio class at the gym or do pilates instead. Your body will be tired, but it will like the variety of workouts that you are giving it. You’ll be surprised at how you will progress. 

Tip 4: Be consistent when it comes to yoga

This is one of the most important aspects of improving the yoga experience. It does not matter how often you practice; if you keep drinking coffee or eating junk after, the yoga experience won’t be as good as it could be. 

Make sure to set the rhythm for your body to follow. Choose a particular time of the day to practice yoga and stick to it. If you have been doing it for quite some time, make sure to come up with a yoga series of poses you can practice on alternate days. 

Yoga is not just another workout program you can do from time to time. It is a lifestyle that you need to learn to embrace for yourself. Be patient and allow yourself to adjust to it. The best results are achieved when you give yourself enough room for improvement. 

Remember, when you practice a little more every day, you become a little bit better. Whether it is twice a day or twice a week, make sure your entire body adjusts to the yoga lifestyle. You must carefully choose your diet, as well. 

There is always more that you can do. Just be consistent with it and stick to your plan. 

What’s Your Takeaway?

Whenever it feels like you are experiencing a yoga rut, it is best to pause and take a moment to think about what has happened. Remember that the secret to succeeding in your yoga practice lies inside of you. 

When you put your heart and soul in it, make it a part of your lifestyle, and simply embrace the practice, you know that you will find it in you to recover.