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Reclaim Your Time: The Power of Prioritizing Yourself with Yoga

Mandy Leman | OCT 26, 2024

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In our fast-paced lives, finding time for yoga can feel like just another item on our endless to-do list. Trust me, I know the feeling—constantly chasing tasks and feeling drained by the end of the day. Adding more to your schedule seems impossible, right?

But yoga isn’t about doing more. It’s about being intentional with your time so you can show up more fully in everything else you do.

TL;DR for the busy or overwhelmed:

  • Time is something you create. Intentional use of time brings clarity and ease. Filling schedules with too many obligations, scattered focus, and multitasking make time feel scarce.

  • Prioritize yourself and shift your relationship with time. Saying “no” to people, activities and distractions that don't bring you joy creates space for things that energize you and help you show up as your best self.

  • Power of yoga to reclaim time: Yoga teaches us to shift our mind and body, helping us handle the things we don’t enjoy and creating more space for the things we love. Even short practices reduce stress, boost focus, and enhance your physical and mental well-being, giving you more time for what truly matters.

Never enough time?

With an average of 4,000 thoughts daily, we constantly switch focus, leaving us feeling scattered and anxious. When we don’t set clear intentions for how we spend our time, our days can quickly fill with things that that don't support us.

Another reason we feel time-starved? We’re not doing enough of what lights us up. When we’re stuck in a loop of force, not flow, our bodies, minds, and our experience of time contracts, essentially it shrinks. Think back to a time when you felt fully engaged in an activity—whether reading, connecting with a friend, cooking, or working on a passion project. Time seemed to fly by, didn’t it?

Now, recall a time when you were forced to do something you didn’t really want to do, like a dreaded work assignment or helping someone out of obligation. Time probably felt like it was dragging.

Most of us can’t always do what we want, but we can change how we experience time. Yoga teaches us to shift our mind and body, helping us handle the things we don’t enjoy and creating more space for the things we love.

Take Leadership of Your Time

You might still be thinking, “I don’t have time for a yoga practice.” The truth you're saying is "I don't want to do yoga right now." The key to feeling less overwhelmed is realizing that time is something you create. It’s not an external force controlling you. When you choose how to spend your time with intention and prioritize yourself, everything changes. Each “no” to something that doesn’t serve you creates space for a bigger “yes” to what does.

I get that this is easier said than done. It takes practice. You may be conditioned to put others first or to push yourself until every to-do is done before tending to your needs. Spoiler: they never are! And having nothing to do sounds like goals of the dead. When I realized that life’s to-do list is never-ending, I started shifting my approach.

Here’s what helps me design my day and create more time:

  • Be intentional about where and with whom you spend your time. Take note of people, places, and activities that give you energy, and notice the ones that don’t.

  • Be unapologetic about scheduling what you need to be your best self, and be relentless about showing up.

  • If it's not a "yes" for you, try saying no. Often saying no is the kindest thing you can do for others and yourself.

The Power of Saying "Yes" to Yoga

So, what happens when you’re unapologetic and relentless about showing up for your yoga practice? Even just two or twenty minutes of practice can shift your day. When you make time for yoga, here’s what happens:

  1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
    Just 20-30 minutes of yoga a few times a week can save you time and energy that would otherwise be spent worrying. Imagine how much more you can accomplish when your mind is clear!
  2. Improved Physical Health
    Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and posture. When you make time for consistent practice, everyday activities become easier and more enjoyable. A healthier body means more energy for the things you care about, freeing up more time in your day.
  3. A Sense of Community
    Joining a yoga community—like Home & Yoga—gives you a sense of belonging and support. Feeling connected to others helps reduce feelings of isolation, saving you time spent feeling overwhelmed or alone.

My way with time as your teacher

I want to make yoga efficient and effective for everyone, regardless of experience. Time is precious, and I respect your commitment to self-care. Here’s how I approach our practice with your time in mind:

  • Targeted and Short Practices: I offer short, focused sessions that integrate seamlessly into your daily routine. My classes are designed to provide maximum benefit in minimal time. You don’t need to dedicate hours to benefit.

  • Practical Application: My teaching style emphasizes breaking down concepts into practical applications for daily life. I want you to leave each class feeling empowered to use what you’ve learned, whether it’s a breathing technique for stress relief or a posture to improve your work-from-home setup.

  • Creating a Safe Space: An inclusive environment where everyone feels safe is important to me. This includes honoring your time and not taking class over. Your time is valuable, and I want you to feel comfortable resting in Savasana without worry you’ll be late to your next commitment and to feel empowered to leave early if you need to, I’m just glad you showed up!

Making YOU Your Priority

Ultimately, making time for yoga is an act of self-love. It’s about prioritizing your well-being in a world that often demands so much of you. When you dedicate time to your practice, you’re sending a powerful message to yourself: I matter, and my well-being matters.

I invite you to explore yoga and discover the incredible benefits of making time for yourself. Just a little time can create big changes in your life.

Let’s create that space for you together.

Mandy Leman | OCT 26, 2024

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