Sometimes our yoga practice needs some inspiration. It could be that we’re going through a rough patch in life. It could be because we’ve been practicing for a few years and we’ve gotten into a routine. Inspiration can come from anyplace; it could come from taking a new class- maybe a different style of yoga. Recently, I started taking a regular restorative class on Sunday evenings and it’s been a wonderful alternative to the power yoga style I teach and regularly practice. Sometimes, inspiration can come from buying a new mat. I usually don’t recommend using a purchase to inspire, but since a mat a central to any yoga practice, when you have a new one, it can  give you a much needed boost. I haven’t bought a new mat in over 3 years. Until now.

Inspired by one that I saw in class, I recently picked up a Lululemon mat in hot pink. Truth be told, it did not matter to me what brand it was; just that it was a durable mat and in pink. Pink is my favorite color but I’ve never been bold enough to have a mat in pink. But I decided it would be just what I needed to inspire me to practice more often.

I got it last week and brought it to my restorative class on Sunday night. I was feeling a bit down and thought that I’d bring to my practice a few things that I love. One of them is a shell from a recent trip I took in June to Sanibel Island, Florida. The other is a quartz heart a friend of mine gave me. She said it’s great for healing any kind of heartache. I placed them up at the front of my new mat and loved seeing them during practice. The mat felt great underneath me and I felt supported and surrounded by things that brought me joy.

Even if you don’t have the money to buy a new mat, bring something to your practice that inspires you. It could be a flower, a small token or a good luck charm. Personalize your practice and move from your heart.

Namaste.