Make Yoga Your Own with These 12 Personalized Habits
We’ve often stated that how you approach your yoga practice reflects how you navigate life in general. Beyond the moments spent on your mat, this idea is evident in the unique habits that shape your yoga experience. Whether it’s savoring a cup of tea from a favorite mug before class, curating the perfect playlist for your journey, or meticulously aligning your mat with the floor’s edges, these small yet deliberate acts form a personal ritual.
Our editors recently gathered to share their unique yoga routines, discovering that many of our individual practices are quite specific—and sometimes amusing.
Do these habits truly impact your yoga experience? Perhaps not in a direct way. At the heart of yoga lies breath, intention, and acceptance. However, contemplating our human quirks brings a light-heartedness to our journey towards mindfulness. We hope that reflecting on these habits inspires you to recognize your own rituals and find joy in them.
12 Enduring Yoga Habits We Cherish
These habits—from preferred props to post-class rituals—add a personal touch to each yoga practice.
1. Commitment-Free Sign-Up
“I prefer not to commit to a class until the morning of, even for evening sessions. It prevents me from second-guessing myself, even though I rarely cancel. It’s just my general aversion to commitments.”
2. Outfit Preparation
“I enjoy laying out my yoga clothes either the night before or the morning of class. It’s particularly exciting when I have a new top or leggings to showcase.”
3. Outfit Repetition
“You’ll often catch me in a specific set of flared leggings and a sports bra for every session. They’re from Target, and they’re just perfect for me.”
4. Timing Precision
“I aim to leave my apartment at precisely 7:07 AM to arrive at the 7:30 class slightly early. Deviating from this schedule makes me feel off-balance.”
5. Action Before Readiness
“In moments of anxiety about entering class—maybe I haven’t attended in a while or I’m apprehensive about seeing familiar faces—I remind myself to ‘start before you’re ready.’ This push sparks action and brings me into the moment, even if I’m still feeling those anxious butterflies.”
6. My Regular Spot
“On class days, I have a peculiar attachment to a certain parking space and a favorite cubby. When these spots are taken by others, I feel a little thrown off, which is likely not very yogic of me.”
7. Mat Positioning
“I always have a preferred spot for my mat. Depending on the type of class, it could be the second row to the left in Yin or second from the right in Vinyasa. There’s something comforting about this predictable vantage point.”
8. Alignment Compulsion
“If the studio has hardwood flooring or visible seams, I’ll adjust my mat until it’s perfectly straight. I won’t hesitate to stop mid-class to correct this essential detail.”
9. Prop Preferences
“There are certain blanket colors I have a strong aversion to. I instinctively choose ones on my ‘approved’ list, like pink or turquoise. If only purple is left, I’ll use it, but I’d rather go without!”
10. Gratitude Gesture
“After Savasana, I quietly express my thanks to the instructor. It might be a subtle nod or a mouthed ‘thank you,’ depending on the crowd. This gives me closure before I step back into the hustle of life.”
11. Post-Class Refreshment
“After class, I enjoy grabbing a coffee, tea, or matcha from a nearby café. Being around others helps me reconnect after releasing emotional baggage. I notice I’m often more relaxed and chatty during these simple interactions.”
12. Embracing the Yoga Vibes
“After a fulfilling class, I relish lying in bed and soaking in those positive vibes. My usual life is filled with distractions, but post-class, I just enjoy being present—no music, no phone, just me in my yoga space. Sometimes, I’ll sip on tea or simply bask in the moment.”
