Here’s to new habits and goals!! Your future (and health) can be as bright as the fireworks used to celebrate festivities. Sticking with your new hobby or plan to reach a goal can be challenging, yet rewarding. Some typical suggestions for goal setting include:
- know your reason to achieve your goal
- use the SMART acronym
Specify wanted achievements
Measure your success (know how you will measure success)
Achievable: make your goal realistic compared to available resources
Relevant: your goal lines up with your values and also long-term objectives
Timebound: know the goal due date
You might be taking baby steps towards your goal and those steps matter. Sometimes the result is way different than planned. To that, I still say growth happens and there is a lesson or two…or three to be learned. This lesson can be used to catapult you to continue your goal or move on to the next goal or adventure. I have experienced fear or disbelief, which can cause inconsistency or a pause the progress. Life happens and plans can take a detour.
Fortunately, we can seek out a support system to get us back on track from a:
- mentor
- family member
- friend
- community
The above goal-setting steps can be used when you practice yoga, too. Especially, when you want to incorporate this as a monthly or weekly goal.
Think about achieving this goal:
- leave aside any doubts you may have
- yoga has modifications for poses and abilities to get you started on your journey
Think about the “R” or relevancy:
- remind yourself of how doing yoga fits in with your beliefs and future
My initial reason to start practicing yoga was mainly for fitness and to get mentally refreshed. Over the years, I learned to value the mental and physical feeling of being refreshed and the self-connection. Which has allowed and continues to allow me to live a healthier life.
As the yoga teacher, during classes, I like to encourage students to:
- set your intention (this can vary per class)
- use your breath to focus and move
- praise yourself
- have fun!
Now, I am not saying you are going to be chuckling throughout my classes. The key is to be light-hearted and enjoy class, despite the possible challenges when in a pose. Challenges with the poses and your experience on the mat can help you navigate life in general. And, yes, your health is important and can be serious to deal with at times. So, doing healthy practices and having a laugh here and there is a bonus to boost your health!
Besides having fun during yoga, it helps to have a comfortable mat. Check out my best yoga mat recommendation that provides stability and minimizes slip (of the hands and feet) from pose to pose.
There is also a free course available for you!
Angela Franklin is a passionate yoga instructor, who wants to empower women to be their own advocate to improve their holistic health. She also has a background in the medical, mental health, and fitness professions. To get more information about yoga, wellness, and courses visit: https://freedomyogawithangelafranklin.com/