Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but sometimes it can also wreak havoc on your yoga practice. Suddenly something that seemed to come so naturally can become difficult, with a host of claims on your time, resources and energy cropping up. Even the chilly, grey weather can feel like it’s working against you. So how to stay motivated and build momentum over the winter months? We have a few ideas:

#1 Get into a routine.
It’s easier to stay motivated when you set a schedule and stick to it!

#2 Be flexible.
That said, sometimes life happens and you just have to roll with it. Miss a yoga date? Let it go, let yourself off the hook and try to make it up later in the week.

#3 Treat yourself!
We like to think yoga is its own reward, but sometimes giving yourself a little something extra for sticking to it can help get you going. Even something as simple as a warm post-yoga beverage can provide that incentive.

#4 Look at the big picture.
It’s easy to say “I don’t have time tonight” or “this is a busy couple of days”; instead, think about how little time out of your month or even year a regular practice really amounts to. You know you’re worth it.

#5 Practice strength in numbers.
Your practice is your own, but try doing yoga with a friend or sharing your commitment to practice with your teacher. Knowing someone is counting on you to show up can help you stay motivated.