8
Chapter
Yoga in everyday lifeConclusion ConclusionIn an occupation with hard physical
labor or many asymmetrical
positionsIf you are working in such a job or are a young mother
carrying your baby around it may not be possible to
balance between both sides. Learning to use your
body economically will help to some degree. If pos-
sible, keep changing the side of your body you are
using. It is particularly important to use your spare
time to center your position and relax, but also to
keep the muscles in good shape.In your spare time
Our spare time is when we have the best chance of
looking after ourselves and our health. Most of us
do not have much spare time, so it is all the more
precious. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a
nap, but this should not take up all your time. We
need good time management skills to make the best
use of our free time. And it is important to select
what we do in our spare time carefully, so that we
avoid falling into the same stressful routine we have
at other times.
If you like to read, try to lie over a big bolster, as
explained in Chapter 6, exercise 2.4. Position your
back and head support high enough so that you can
read comfortably. When watching TV change your
sitting posture occasionally; also sit cross-legged on
the floor. If you are taking a course in your sparetime and have to learn by heart, you will be sur-
prised how easily this comes while walking.
Think about further opportunities when you can
include yoga practice. It is lovely to practice together
with friends. Why not start an afternoon get-together
by doing a little yoga? 20 to 30 minutes of common
yoga practice are quite sufficient. Just try it: invite
your friends. Even if they are shy at first, they will
appreciate it because they will feel the benefit.Conclusion
We have considered possibilities for integrating the
spirit and the practice of yoga into everyday life.
These are only a few examples: there are countless
variations. Which particular exercise you choose is
less important: it is more important to start to prac-
tice. It is up to you to make the first move; no one
else can do it for you. Start with short periods of
practicing, with a few exercises. Even if there are
times in your life when you think it is impossible
to include any practice, do not give up. Start with
a small program. If you cannot find any other time,
get up 10 minutes earlier. It is not so difficult to do
this, and you will feel the benefit from 10 minutes’
practice each morning.
It is definitely possible to integrate your personal
development, the yoga path, with the challenges of
life, so that you can enjoy a successful family and
work life and still be relaxed.