For a workout routine to remain exciting and challenging, it needs to be constantly modified and updated. While most people who practice yoga focus more on the spiritual aspects of this practice than the physical, there are still several ways you can mix things up with your routine. The beauty of yoga is that you can make it as intense or mild as you want based on your chosen poses. The same pose can have a completely different effect depending on how deeply you go into it. You don’t need any special equipment or clothing to do a yoga workout, either; all you need is determination and concentration.
1. Change Things Up With Your Breathing
One of the easiest ways to change your yoga routine is to change your breathing pattern. Different breathing exercises can help relax your body, increase focus, and calm your mind. Some of these include ujjayi (a breath that is said to increase focus and help you to connect with your inner self) and bhramari (which is said to increase your energy).
2. Go to a Different Level of Intensity
If you want to take your yoga routine to the next level, you can incorporate certain poses into your routine. Hot yoga, for example, is usually done in a room heated up to around 98 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level of 40%. This makes it a more intense workout because it increases your heart rate, blood flow, and sweat levels.
3. Incorporate Core Workouts
There are several different types of core workouts that you can do, including planks, bicycles, and crunches. These are simple routines, but they work your core muscles and increase your endurance while also helping you focus on your breathing. You can incorporate core workouts into your yoga session by doing them at the beginning or end of your routine.
4. Try Out New Types of Yoga
If you want to increase your flexibility, try a form of yoga that focuses on flexibility, such as Bikram yoga. If you’re working on your endurance, try a form of yoga that focuses on endurance, such as Ashtanga. If you want to reduce your stress, try a form of yoga that focuses on meditation.
5. Add in Strength Exercises
There are several ways to add strength exercises into your yoga routine, such as by doing squats and lunges while holding a yoga pose. Alternatively, you can also try yoga poses incorporating a strength exercise, such as the downward dog with a resistance band. If you want to add strength exercises while doing yoga at home, you can try yoga workout DVDs incorporating various strength exercises.
6. Switch Up the Sequence of Your Poses
If you are bored of the same old sequence of poses in your yoga routine, you can try switching up the order in which you do them. You can select one pose from each category and mix them up. This will make your routine different and exciting again.
7. Incorporate Short Strengthening Exercises
Short strengthening exercises are great for improving your flexibility and focus while also helping you to focus on your breathing. You can add a few rapid strengthening exercises to your yoga routine by doing them at the beginning of your workout.
8. Add in a Little Cardio and Jumping Exercises.
There are many different types of jumping exercises that you can do, including clapping push-ups, squat jumps, mountain climbers, burpees, and jumping jacks. In addition, you can add some jumping exercises to your yoga routine by doing them at the beginning or end of your workout session.
To conclude, yoga is a great workout that has numerous health benefits. It can help to reduce stress, improve your mental health, improve your flexibility, and strengthen your muscles. It can also be a great way to improve your focus, reduce anxiety, and connect with your inner self.