Too Busy For Yoga?

THE positive effects of yoga on the mind, body and spirit have been well documented, but sometimes finding the time and energy to actually do it is a little more challenging. We asked renowned yogi, Eoin Finn, for his advice on incorporating yoga into a busy lifestyle.
It can be hard to make time for yoga - what would your advice be to people who feel that they're just too busy?


1. Motivate yourself by knowing that you will be more clear, focused and happy as a result, even when you are busiest. Yoga is your ultimate return on investment.

2. Aim for 15 to 30 minutes of yoga. Taking 30 minutes to get to a yoga studio for a 90-minute class seems like a lot of time to take out but it is amazing what a few sun salutations, two standing poses, two forward folds and a twist followed by three minutes of meditation can do.

3. Swap time on the internet for the "inner net"! By cutting out 10 to 15 minutes of social media, texting or even sending two emails, you will make this 15 minutes available for bliss.
What is the best way to get into the right frame of mind for yoga?

You have to start with atmosphere - light a candle, find a great view out of your window, find something to create a more zen space. It will help. Also, do anything that makes it easier like putting on music you enjoy - down-tempo preferably.

Start with "breath appreciation" - most yoga instructors say deep breathing, which is what we are doing, but I like to think of it enjoying breath opening up tight places in your body. Where you feel tight, allow the breath to penetrate those places. My mantra is to "replace tightness with lightness".
Are there any specific exercises you'd recommend to begin the day with?

Three sun salutations taking three minutes, triangle and revolve triangle for one minute each on both legs, crow pose to get the heat up, a seated forward fold for one minute and spinal twists, each side for one minute. End with two minutes of breathing which will get you in a clear state of mind and an open heart to focus on what you want to manifest today. 15 minutes total investment - the return is massive.
Your new DVD, Earth Body Yoga, focuses upon the effect of nature on our wellbeing.

My life's work is about trying to answer what exactly happens when we get quiet and feel the energy of nature. Ideally we would all be able to take the time to stand alone on a mountain top every day, feeling how small we really are and experiencing the intense beauty that surrounds us. In reality, we live in cities and we are busy, but we can bring this consciousness into the yoga practice. For example, when we really breathe in with full appreciation of the plants and trees around us providing this air, not only does our body feel looser but we blur the line between where we end and where nature begins. The Earth Body Yoga DVD and iTunes download is turning a great physical yoga into a celebration of our joyful connection to nature.
What small changes do you think people could make this year to bring about a big difference to their wellbeing?

Gratitude. It's the fastest way to bring about our healthiest state of mind. It turns striving into contentment, competition into compassion and complaints into celebrations of miracles. This has a radical effect on our body systems; we heal faster, we have more energy and we connect with our joy.
What made you fall in love with yoga?

Unlike other forms of exercise, nothing gave me the experience of being relaxed and present when I was finished the way that yoga did. Even though the workout was intense, it always ended with relaxation. What I found was that in this place I didn't have to pursue happiness anymore, I could just slow down and let it catch up.

Vogue UK