Written by: Sheila Johnson
Do you want to take your yoga practice to the next level? The most important tool you need is probably already in your hands: your smartphone. With a few apps, you can easily elevate your yoga practice. Apps can help you with accountability, discovering new teachers, and integrating meditation into your practice. It's the perfect way to ensure you are getting the most out of your time on the mat and elevate your practice to the next level. Ready to get started? Here are three ideas to help you boost your practice and the apps that will help get you there.
Set an Intention and Stay Accountable
One of the best ways to take your yoga practice to the next level is to set an intention. This helps you focus your energy on achieving that goal. You can use an app on your phone to set an intention, such as getting on your yoga mat five days a week or doing a total number of hours in the month. However, the key is to stay accountable to others, which can motivate you to work toward your intention even when you don't feel like it. Search for apps like Coach.me's habit tracker. You'll get to see your progress right on your smartphone, and the app will send you reminders about meeting your goals. Additionally, there is an online community built-in that can help cheer you on or push you to try a little harder.
Find a Well-Trained Teacher You Like
There are so many yoga teachers putting content out on the internet; that's both good and bad. The good part is that you'll have plenty of teachers to choose from, so you are sure to find someone you connect with who can help guide you on your yoga journey. The bad part is that you may have trouble finding them in a sea of potential teachers. Thankfully, you can speed the search up with some free apps. Consider searching for yoga videos on YouTube, where you'll find popular yoga teachers like Yoga with Adrienne. Or, download a free app like Asana Rebel, which has tons of yoga sessions and features to help you sleep and eat better, too.
If you are using your phone during your yoga practice and use music to help you stay focused, it may help to invest in earphones that are resistant to sweat. The Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones, for example, provide sweat-resistant tech alongside great sound and stability. This way, you won’t have to worry about damaging your device if things get sweaty.
Last but not least, you can use fitness trackers (which are also sweat- and water-resistant!) to help you stay motivated and track your progress. These devices, like the Apple Watch SE, can track your heart rate and allow you to issue an SOS in the event of an emergency.
Meditate Instead of Zoning Out
What are you doing during your savasana time? If you are simply zoning out, you could be doing more with that final resting position. Download a meditation app and double up on your self-care time. Check out the Calm app. The basic features are free and include guided meditations to help you focus or for a better night's sleep. If you love it, you can pay the annual subscription fee and get access to the full suite of meditation guides. Or, try Insight Timer. With over 30,000 meditations on tap, you'll be more Zen than ever. It will even chart your meditation progress so you can make sure you are giving your brain the break that it needs. Also, remember to keep your meditation space as tidy as possible to avoid any unnecessary stress!
It doesn't have to cost a lot or take a lot of time to elevate your yoga practice. The goal is practice, not perfection, but the more time you spend on your yoga, the better you'll become down the road. You can get more out of your time on the mat with a few apps on your phone. Put these suggestions to work and see how quickly you experience results — that's the beauty of blending technology and the ancient practice of yoga!