Namaste at Home – 5 Tips for Setting Up Your Home Yoga Space
ME IN MY HOME STUDIO SPACE. I HAVE SET UP A SMALL ALTAR & I LOVE HAVING A MANTRA OR MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE IN SIGHT
I love practicing in a studio. There is some kind of magic that forms when the trifecta of ambience, the community, and your favorite teacher/class come together. However, sometime’s it’s not always possible to roll out your mat in your favorite studio spot. Whether your day got busy, traffic got in the way, or…maybe…there is a worldwide pandemic that has you sheltering in place at home, sometimes you still need to get your yoga and in your home it shall be!
Our homes are known as our space to rest and rejuvenate, but not a lot of us have a designated space to move, practice, and simply be. We’ve all more than likely had that moment at home where we are halfway through our practice and our loved ones ask, “whats for dinner?!’, or a pet comes over and gives you a nice wet kiss right as you settle into Savasana. As much as we love our family and pets, it’s not the most ideal situation for relaxation and meditation. So, I wanted to share some tips I have that have helped me carve out a space at home that I can retreat to that is almost just as good as hitting up the studio!
- Find a space that is relaxing (& somewhat private)
Get creative in finding a space! If the weather is nice, go outside, find a space in the grass or on your deck/porch/balcony. Inside, maybe try your home office or master bedroom, a room that you can close the door if needed. Make sure you have enough room for your mat and for a bit of movement outside of that space. If you don’t have a mat, any space in a carpeted room, rug, or blanket on the grass will work. - Set the ambiance
To me, this one is the most important! Set your phone & email to ‘Do Not Disturb’. Light a candle or get a diffuser with your favorite essential oils going (mine are currently lavender, rosemary, or bergamot). Let your housemates know you need some peace for a bit. Grab some water (or tea or coffee!) Lower the lights. Grab any props you might want. Or maybe take practice outside! - Chose your practice & music
If you chose to practice along with a video or a live online class, you’ll want to have your technology set up so you don’t have to worry about it. Try to watch the video on the biggest screen you can – whether it’s your iPad, computer or streamed to your TV. Set up your screen so you can see it from multiple angles, which usually is higher than eye level. Also, if you plan to play your own music or listen to the playlist the teacher has created, I recommend using a different device than the one you are using for class. I like to have my phone set up close by (just make sure it’s on DND!) streaming to a bluetooth speaker, so I can adjust the volume as needed. - Grab Props
“But I don’t have any yoga gear at home”, you say! That’s OK! There are a lot of items that I’m sure you DO have in your house that will work just as good. I love getting creative.- Blocks – I love using thick/larger books as blocks. If you are using them for stability (like in balancing poses for your hands) you can also use big soup cans. (I also have a DIY yoga block with stuff you have lying around at home that I will share via a video ASAP and will link it here)
- Straps – Neck ties or Robe ties are good substitutes for straps. I tend to use Hand/Bath Towels that I roll up (and then they are handy to wipe up sweat if needed 😉)
- Bolsters – I like using couch pillows (the stiffer ones) for bolsters, but really any pillow can be manipulated to work. Also, rolling up bigger blankets can work just as well.
- Blankets – This is an easy one! Just grab a thick blanket or towel (I like small quilts) and fold it over a few times.
- Let go of expectations
This one may tie for the most important. Here’s the thing, life happens (especially in your house!). It’s easy to get distracted at home – kids and pets are always curious as to what is going on (& I encourage you to get the kiddos involved sometimes!), the doorbell rings, the laundry needs flipped. It’s OK. It doesn’t have to be perfect, or look and feel like it does in the studio. Just show up. Get on your mat and move. Do your best, and go with the flow (<- in all of the ways!). I promise, just dedicating a little bit of time to your home practice will go a long way.
I hope that you find these tips helpful! Practicing at home can be a challenge, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Somedays are better than others, so try to stay present, find peace in each moment, and as always, have fun!
I’d love to hear how setting up your space goes, or if you have any other tips for finding zen at home – leave a comment!
