5 tips to Create Your Own Yoga Haven at Home
Tips & TricksPracticing yoga at home can be quite a different, and for some of us, challenging thing to do, especially if we want to keep it consistent. However, it can also offer a different way of seeing and feeling your practice that can give you a really rewarding Yoga practice.
Arriving at a yoga studio comes with a sense of purpose, of being somewhere. At the end of a tiring work-day or as the day breaks and you roll out of bed, stepping into a calm, incense scented, quiet space automatically can change your mood and set your intention for practice.
When you transition to a home practice, it is a good idea to set yourself a space that achieves this same sensation, a space that you come to intentionally and gets you motivated to practice. Once you are there, you feel comfortable and at ease.
Here are our top tips to create your own at home yoga sanctuary:
1. Find a separate space
Choose a space that has as much room as your abode can allow. Practicing in an apartment is still possible, you may just need to re-jig some furniture so you have a spot that is big enough to roll your mat out and hopefully, spread your limbs out a bit! If you can, separate the space so you feel like you have some privacy and quiet. Using a room divider or a curtain might be the best option for smaller spaces.
2. Calming colours and soft light
Using neutral and more muted tones keeps the energy calmer, as opposed to loud, bright colours that can pull attention away from your Drishti (focused gaze). Calm colours such as muted greens and sage, off-whites and soft pinks and browns are ideal. Consider this when putting in any accessories, cushions, yoga mats or pot plants. Ideally light for a calming space should be natural and warm, instead of harsh and cold white. If you have a dark space consider a lamp or some candles. If you have too much bright light consider using warm light bulbs, or using a sheer piece of fabric to mute light from windows.
3. Bring in some nature
Speaking of pot plants, one or two (or more!) indoor plants are a lovely way to bring in some of the outdoors, some freshness and create a natural space. The plants will also help to keep the air clean and full of oxygen! Think climbing plants, plants in pots on the floor or plants in hanging baskets.
5. Create an alter or a space of intention
A little set up of some objects that are special to you will help to make your yoga space feel more healing as well as encouraging intention to practice and be in the present. This could simply be a small side table with anything that resonates with you, whether that be a statue, framed picture, crystals, candles, shells collected from the beach, or other bits collected from nature (no need to buy anything). It can also help to light some incense, a candle or diffuse or spray some essential oils before you begin, this helps to set the tone, alerts your mind and body to the start of practice and creates a ritual for you.
5. It’s yours
This is your personal space so make it feel right for you and a space that you will enjoy coming to. If you live with other people (or pets!) your practice might get interrupted from time to time. This is ok. The practice doesn’t have to be perfect. Any distraction is a good chance to check in with your internal focus and your ability to stay calm when things are going a bit crazy around you. Distraction is a teacher. If at first you find it hard to motivate, simply show up. Just like you do when you show up at the studio. Getting there is the hardest part. All you have to do is step onto your mat, sit, breathe and see what flows.
Remember Flow Space is here for you, reach out to us anytime you want to talk or chat out any barriers you might be experiencing to maintaining your home practice.