What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Practicing Yoga

We’ve all been there. Some days, I just don’t feel like getting on my mat. The thought of practice feels daunting, especially because, for so many years, I’ve equated a “real” practice with an intense, 90 to 120 minute sequence of asanas. It feels like anything less doesn’t count, as if I haven’t truly worked on my body.

But lately, I feel a deep inner shift—a quiet questioning of whether my practice must always be long and intense to feel meaningful. As life grows fuller with responsibilities, it’s become harder to sustain such a rigid routine. There are days when the sheer thought of my to-do list is enough to put me off entirely. And honestly? I never imagined I’d feel this way about something so integral to my life.

Now that I swim almost five days a week, my approach to movement has become more dynamic. What works for me now is doing those long, intense sessions three times a week and, on other days, embracing a shorter, more concise practice to bring the most juice out of it. It’s a reminder that even brief moments of focused effort can offer clarity, grounding, and connection.

I remind myself of something my teacher used to say: On the days we don’t feel like practicing, we need to practice the most. Not for anyone else, but for ourselves. To show up, especially when it feels inconvenient. But showing up doesn’t have to mean contorting ourselves into advanced postures or pushing beyond our limits. Yoga is, after all, a practice meant to be lived. Some days, even sitting quietly and breathing for a few moments is enough. Often, that small effort leads to something deeper.

B.K.S. Iyengar’s words echo this sentiment beautifully:

In my heart, I know I’ll never stop practicing. After nearly a decade, the fruits of this path are too precious to abandon. But what I can do—and what I’m learning to embrace—is to adapt my practice. To honour my energy, my mood, my workload, and my responsibilities.

This, too, is yoga: knowing when to soften, when to challenge, and when to simply show up.

Class update: 

If you have any questions or interested in online classes, please feel free to email me at ✨[email protected]✨

Here’s a quick 30 minute full body class for when you’re short on time:

Keep practicing 🙏