5 ways to practice at home in just 5 minutes

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5 ways to practice at home in just 5 minutes

We hear a lot about “yoga everyday” but finding time and knowing what to do can feel daunting, especially with busy schedules. Here’s the secret: just 5 minutes on your mat works wonders.

1. Connect with Breath

When you feel overwhelmed by the thought of even doing yoga, sit and breathe. Add alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) to ease stress. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is take a moment to reconnect with yourself.

2. Prioritize Rest

There’s nothing better than Savasana. Giving yourself the gift of rest is a powerful act of self-care. 5 minutes of laying flat relaxes and realigns the spine. If you spend a lot of time hunching over a computer, this will be an extra sweet treat. If you need even more, open your heart by draping your upper body over a bolster or some blocks for supported fish pose (Matsyasana).

3. Calm the Nervous System

Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani) calms the nervous system to relieve stress. Inverting your legs promotes circulation and reduces inflammation. It’s a great way to counteract sitting in a chair and being upright all day.

4. Keep It Simple

Spend 5 minutes in downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Holding this pose strengthens the arms, stretches the legs, lengthens the back, and brings awareness to the breath. Rest in child’s pose (Balasana) as needed.

5. Move Stagnant Energy

Do some Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar A). This will wake up your whole body and leave you energized for the day. It also moves stagnant energy at the end of the day to get ready for rest.

Trust Yourself

Whatever you choose, a little bit goes a long way. Trust your intuition and body to make the right decision. Whether it’s 5 minutes or 90 minutes, breathing and connecting your mind, body, and spirit is what counts. Remember that every day and each practice is different. Be kind to yourself and practice in a way that works for you.