There are a lot of ways we can consider and engage with the path of yoga: its wisdom, as a lifestyle, as a path of self-discovery. But all of it is founded in your personal practice. 

Having a regular personal practice isn’t about being perfect or endlessly motivated. It’s about carving out space each day to reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and anchor into your true self. Whether it’s asana, pranayama, mantra meditation, or a mix of all of the above, your personal practice holds inherent value. 

Why It Matters 

Your personal practice is your daily touchstone. It’s a space to breathe, to feel, to move energy, and to listen inward. Over time, it strengthens not just your muscles or flexibility, but your mental clarity, self-awareness, and deeper resilience. You don’t need an hour-long ritual or the perfect home setup. You just need to begin. 

Consistency matters more than intensity. Frequency matters more than duration. What you’re building is not just a routine, but a relationship - with yourself (you, the spirit soul or atman), and the Lord in your Heart. This is the founding relationship from which every other relationship flourishes.  

Getting Started (or Restarted) 

If you’re new to personal practice, or you’ve fallen out of rhythm, here are a few simple ways to begin: 

• Start small. Commit to 10–20 minutes a day. That’s enough to make a shift. 

• Pick a time you can stick to. Morning is ideal, but not essential. Find what works. 

• Keep it simple. Choose a basic asana sequence, a short pranayama, or a guided meditation. Avoid overcomplicating. 

• Have a go-to structure. Repeat the same short flow or techniques each day for a few weeks to build momentum. 

• Track how you feel. Let how your body and mind respond add to your motivation. 

The Psychology of Practice 

Often, lasting habits become established when you shift from thinking “I need to do yoga-asanas” to “I’m someone who practices daily.” It becomes part of who you are, embedded in your day. 

The first couple of weeks might feel awkward, or even like a chore. That’s okay. You’re laying the groundwork. Resistance is a natural part of the process. 

My Own Practice Story 

I’ve always had a personal practice in some form - mainly mantra meditation, and teaching or moving on the mat a few times a week. But about a year ago, I noticed I’d fallen out of love with my asana practice. It felt stagnant. Mechanical. I stopped looking forward to it. 

The shift came when I stopped waiting to feel motivated and started simply showing up. A quiet voice inside reminded me: "Sami, it’s not about whether you feel like it. It’s about cultivating a healthy, sattvic mind and body." 

So I committed. The first two weeks were rough. It felt like work. But I stayed with it. 

And something changed. 

A year later, I’m still practicing daily. That consistency has deepened my connection to yoga, to my body, to my inner life. It’s no longer about whether I want to - it’s become something I just do.  

Your Turn 

This month at Live to Serve Academy, I'll be sharing tools to help you start or deepen your personal practice. Stay tuned for classes, resources, and guidance on building a routine that works for your life. 

Don’t wait for the perfect conditions. Don’t wait to feel ready. 

Start where you are. 

Let your practice become the quiet, gentle anchor that holds you steady in a noisy, chaotic world. 

With love and well wishes, 

Sami
Live to Serve Academy