How To Change A Habit

1) Pick ONE habit.  Make it specific and manageable.

• Good: I want to do yoga regularly.  
• Bad: I want to lose 50 pounds, quit drinking and smoking, run the marathon, and win the lottery.  

2) Do your research.  

• Where are yoga classes in your area? (Commuting across town is perhaps unrealistic.)
• What time do they happen?  (Seven AM?  NOT.  After work?  Okay.)
• What level is best for you?   (If you can't touch your toes, don't go to Advanced Power Yoga.  Try Basic Hatha.)

3) Organize a social connection to your new habit.

• Call, email or Facebook your friends until you find a yoga buddy.
• If you have no friends, pick a class and make friends with the teacher.

4) Make a specific plan and put it on your calendar.

• Treat it as you would a job interview.  
• You wouldn't flake on a job interview because you didn't feel like going.  
• If you would, you have bigger problems than I can help you with.

5) Repeat.

• Particularly, remember that failure does not mean screwing up once.  
• If you miss class on Tuesday, reschedule for Thursday.  
• Beating yourself up is a cop-out.

6) Develop a ritual that you--gasp!--actually enjoy.

• Have tea with your yoga friends afterward, and bask in the endorphin glow.