How to Pick a New Years Resolution

New Years is right around the corner and I have yet to pick a resolution. Things are so busy this time of year, taking the time to really think about a resolution just seems like one more thing to do. However when the day comes that I do have time, once the chaos dies down, it's important to choose wisely.

One big mistake often made when picking a resolution is to plan too big. Often times when we aim high we can lose faith along the way because there are so many opportunities to stumble. It's like going to your first yoga class with plans to do a handstand finding out that you can barely hold a downward dog. If you do choose to plan big, make sure to set small goals along the way to keep your moral up.

It's good to review your resolution from last year before picking a new one. Did you follow through? If not, why? Take a deep look at your failed resolution and why it didn't make it. Be realistic and thorough. As humans we tend to have our quirks that keep us from achieving things. Be it laziness, boredom from lack of a serious challenge or not enough direction on how to achieve what we want. Learning why your resolution failed last year may teach you a valuable lesson and help you to conquer your goal this year.

If you can't figure out why you didn't follow through last year, ask a trusted friend or family member. Tell them to be honest. Those closest to us see us for who we are, good and bad. Things we choose not to see about ourselves are there for others to see, no matter how blind we like to be.

So what to do if you're clueless about a goal to set as your resolution? Make a list. What's working in your life and what's not. Are you happy with your work, family or social life? Do you feel healthy and happy? Don't try to change everything all at once, but chose one small aspect of your life and go from there.

Interested in incorporating yoga into your life this year? Yeah! The biggest obstacle to succeeding in a regular yoga practice is finding the right teacher. There are a lot of styles and teachers out there and finding the one that works for you is key. A great site to check out is Yoga Alliance.

There are many teacher trainings out there and all are not created equally. Yoga Alliance was founded to help regulate the field by requiring all its teachers to be certified in at least 200 hours of a Yoga Alliance approved school. By choosing a teacher that is certified here, you'll be getting a teacher who knows their stuff verses someone who did a weekend training and claims to know how to teach yoga safely. You can search by city, state, style or registered hours.

If you have any interest in becoming a teacher, or just taking some trainings to educate yourself more on yoga, this site is a great resource.

To make your transition into yoga easier, try the following:

Experiment a bit. Try out a few styles till you find the one that fits you. Just because a pair of jeans looks good on your friend, doesn't mean they'll look good on you. Were all different, find what works for you. Once you do, find the time of day that works best and a studio that's easy to get to. Yoga shouldn't be a chore. If it feels like one, you won't do it.

Buy a mat. By doing this you're committing yourself. You don't have to go out and buy anything expensive, but you'll want to get a decent one. A crappy mat can ruin your yoga experience. I love Manduka mats. Check out the link on the side of my blog. They make great stuff and have mats for all price ranges. The other good thing about having a mat around, is that when you see it, it will trigger your brain that you need to go to class.

Get the right yoga clothes. This follows along the same lines as the mat. If you aren't comfortable in class you won't want to go.

Find a yoga buddy. Doing things with friends is fun and healthy. It's nice to have a support buddy for those days you can't seem to find the energy to get to class.

Read about yoga. Yoga isn't just physical, it has a philosophical and spiritual aspect to it. It's a lifestyle if you chose it. There are so many great books out there that I couldn't possibly pick for you, so go to your local bookstore and see what pops out at you. True change through yoga comes from not just the physical practice, but how yoga changes our mind and the heightened awareness in which we see things.

Don't judge your body. Everyone can do yoga. Everyone, no if's and's or but's. If you go to a class and feel like yoga wasn't for you, the reality is that particular class wasn't for you. Find a different one. A different style or teacher. Don't give up. No matter your weight, state of health, sex, flexibility or experience, there is a yoga class for you. If you can't find a class in your area, find a video or online class. I recommend that you try at least 10 classes before you give up. If you have an injury or disease, check with your doctor first. Yoga is like any other activity, it can help you if done right and hurt you if done wrong.

Don't start a home practice till your ready. Having a home practice is hard. Unless you really like doing yoga videos, you''ll burn out quick if you don't know enough about yoga to put a sequence together. Go to as many classes as you can and pay attention to how the teacher puts a flow together. You can also check out Yoga Journal's website. They have some great flow sequences you can learn.

Whatever your resolution turns out to be, make sure to be patient with yourself. If you didn't stumble a bit you wouldn't be human. If you mess up, it's ok, but ask yourself why. What emotion were you feeling at the time? What else got in the way? Figure it out so you can avoid that obstacle next time. If you find your goal isn't working for you, change it. By doing this it doesn't mean you failed, it means you were smart enough to know that change was a good thing. Here's to a new year!