Yoga for Your Love Language: 5 Practices for Self-Care
What’s your love language? For those who are unfamiliar with Gary Chapman’s best-selling 1992 book, The 5 Love Languages, it all boils down to this premise: different people with different personalities express love in different ways. His book outlines five categories that describe how people express and receive love: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. These love languages also apply to connections beyond romantic relationships, including friendships, family, and co-workers.
In the same way that we exert a lot of time and effort to express love in our relationships, it’s important to also reserve time to show that same love for yourself. Practicing yoga is a great way to introduce self-love and self-care into your routine. Yoga can help you relax, relieve stress, and lift your mood so you can show up and be present for the other relationships in your life. We’ve curated five yoga classes for your love language to help you restore balance to your week.
Don’t know your primary love language? Take the 5 Love Languages quiz here.
Words of Affirmation
As someone who expresses their love verbally or as someone who enjoys receiving praise, turn the tables on yourself and give yourself the recognition you deserve. You don’t need to wait for anyone to praise you when you can take time to recognize how amazing you are with positive affirmations. Whenever you’re being hard on yourself, flip your inner dialogue and imagine that you’re speaking to someone else that you love — you deserve to be supported and uplifted in the same way. This meditation by Sah D’Simone will help you silence your inner critic, let go of limiting beliefs, and tap into the power of supportive words.
Acts of Service
With so much of your time spent caring for others, it’s important to do the same for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Use your time on the mat to focus on practices that recharge your energy and allow you to be open and receptive. This slow yin yoga practice from Meghan Currie works through twists, hip stretches, and heart openers to restore the deepest layers of your body and mind. Make sure to incorporate lots of pillows, blankets, or bolsters to give you the sweet relief and support you deserve.
Receiving Gifts
This love language goes beyond the material aspect of gift-giving; rather, it’s about the thought and intention behind the gift that speak volumes. You enjoy the element of surprise and appreciate the time and thoughtfulness involved in the gift selection process. With so much of your heart invested in the process of giving to others, shine the light on yourself in your practice and take time to recognize the unique gifts that you personally bring to the people around you. This meditation from Koya Webb will help you work through personal reflection to identify and embrace the gifts that you share with the world.
Quality Time
You are someone who truly appreciates the art of attention. Quality time doesn’t just mean being near someone — it’s about actively engaging with the other person to show that you care. As someone who values time spent with others, make sure you’re giving yourself that same undivided attention on the mat. Challenge yourself to a longer practice where you commit to showing up at every moment. This awakening solar practice from Patrick Beach is 102 minutes long, allowing you the space to spend quality time with yourself and get you better acquainted with your inner landscape.
Physical Touch
As someone who enjoys expressing and receiving love through physical touch, it’s probably been difficult to connect with others during quarantine and with more people spending time at home. During this time, make sure you’re verbally communicating your needs to your support system so that you’re taken care of, and use your yoga practice as a way to cope with stress and your changing environment. This breathwork class from Avery Whitmore is an excellent place to start. It involves heart tapping to connect you physically to your communication center, followed by an energizing three-part breath and relaxing sounds to awaken your energy.
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