No-one has spare time, you just have to decide

What!? You don't have spare time every day? A free 15 minutes where nothing else needs doing so you can step on the mat and do some yoga?
 
I'm not sure there is such a thing as spare time. We have the time we have, and we have to decide what is going to fill it. 
 
My pattern is that my phone, my kids and my dog have moved in to the gaps that might otherwise have been taken up with other things I used to enjoy: reading, fixing stuff, playing guitar, seeing friends, going for walks. 
 
So getting my yoga practice in first thing, or booking my class or workshop ahead of time so I definitely show up, keeps it consistent and regular.
 
I've just booked in for my October retreat weekend so no matter what happens, I've got that time preserved for me. It may feel selfish, but everyone around me benefits too. No-one does well running on overwhelm. While yoga is much more than self-care, it starts here.
 
I'm also really looking forward to this weekend which is the retreat I'm hosting over near Radstock. A chance to completely step aside from the demands of life, into a beautiful tranquil location, trees and birds bursting with life, spacious yoga, and countryside walking - and no cooking, washing up or tv. Bliss. Looking forward to hosting everyone who is joining me and holding some much needed space for you.
 
I rely on my yoga practice. It is a mainstay in a somewhat chaotic world with unpredictable teenagers derailing my days. My body, mind and nervous system know that my safe haven of practice will happen regularly. Which means I can operate from a state of more ease because I'm not leaving it up to chance when I get to my mat and give my body and mind what it needs. 
 
We don't get more time, but we do get to make better decisions on what we have chosen to do. Rather than mindlessly drifting towards the phone, which is the easiest, most compelling, least demanding course of action, we can choose to use our time more fruitfully.
 
Find any remotely possible windows of opportunity,  and choose to use them wisely. They are precious. Go to bed 20 minutes earlier, so that you can get up 20 minutes earlier and fit in your home practice. Check your messages or phone one less time and use that time instead for a 10 minute mini-practice. Done daily, this will give you over an hour each week of yoga, which is well worth making time for.