Note: this post first appeared as a guest post on Rana Waxman's blog. Thanks, Rana, for featuring it! And now a slightly different version here on Alive in the Fire...

Winter presses in. The cold chills me and I can't help but shiver. I layer on fuzzy socks and warm slippers, and get out a blanket for my legs when I’m on the couch at home.

As I bike to work in the wind and snow, I meditate myself away from the freezing temperatures and focus on my breath. In, out, in, out: the mantra I must use as I pedal along the frozen streets. I picture a beach in Puerto Rico, a grassy field in California.

On the mat at home, my body feels cold and stiff. But I persist through the first few sun salutations, and I return to deep pranayama to warm myself up from the inside out.

In order to survive the cold of winter, I must be a warrior. I must set my mind in springtime.

Lately I’ve been thinking about how it’s easy to let ourselves hibernate a little throughout this season – both on and off the yoga mat. For me, the effects of winter manifest in simple ways that undermine my yoga practice and healthy habits: I want to stay cozy on the couch after dinner instead of going barefoot for a vinyasa flow in the living room; I crave filling comfort foods instead of clean, green juice; I hardly ever make it to my local Bikram studio; and in general, I feel the effects of SAD creep in when the cloudy days go on for a week or more at a time.

So how do I make it through a full winter season doing yoga while I feel lethargic and uninspired?

I don’t. Instead, I re-set my thinking. I make myself the warrior, instead of the sufferer.

I remember that it’s my choice to enjoy my life instead of wasting the little moments.

In wintertime, the meditative aspects of yoga actually prove more important than the physical postures themselves for me.

Instead of getting down on myself about what I can’t do, I try to focus on the positive. Instead of saying, “I’m so tired,” or “My hamstrings are tight,” or “I really don’t want to have to wear a facemask in order to bike today,” I think, “I can manage 20 minutes of yoga,” or “My hips feel amazing after I do pigeon pose, so I’m going to,” or “I am saving money and helping the environment by going car-free.”

And once I’ve put in the time on my mat, or pulled up to work breathless from the bike ride over, I realize: I am OK, I actually feel great, and what’s more – I’m proud of myself for setting my mind to something I can do.

I’m grateful for the blessings I do have, and that gratitude makes all the difference. Especially when it’s -10˚ outside. :)

Here are a few quick thoughts on how to prep your home for a winter practice if it's chilly inside:

Invest in a space heater for the spot where you're practicing.
Toe Sox or leg warmers, baby!
Add an extra yoga blanket or two to your space. You can always layer one on top of your mat, especially if you've got hardwood floors.
Layer up! I recommend a light zip up and leggings instead of shorts and a tank. YMX makes the perfect sets.
Have a cup of warm tea or hot chocolate after your final savasana.

Photos in this post via GetWags, Tranquil Hearts, Flickr user aubergeinn, Flickr user davidfreiheit, Something Sweet Pea on Tumblr and Pinterest.

Do you guys alter your yoga practice in wintertime? How do you avoid a January hibernation plateau?

More posts to enjoy: tips on why to do yoga in winter, some reflections from a Bikram class last winter, and the cozy cowl I made to stay warm this season. Bundle up out there, yogis!