5 Tips for Creating a Home Yoga Practice & Actually Sticking to It
Practicing with your favorite yoga instructor at your favorite studio with your favorite yoga friends is awesome. But, let's face it, we can’t always get ourselves into the studio because life just simply gets in the way sometimes. You may have plans, you may be working late, you may have to stay home with sick kids, or you might just be too tired to get yourself dressed and out of the house to drive to that yoga studio. Whatever the reason may be, your yoga practice should not have to struggle because you can’t get into the yoga studio. Building a home yoga practice is essential to keeping your yoga practice intact in those times that you can’t step into your favorite class.
But building a home yoga practice can be difficult in and of itself. Don’t fret though, I have a few quick tips for you to get started on building your home yoga practice.
1. Create Sacred Space
An important aspect to building a home yoga practice and actually sticking to it, is to create a special space just for yoga. The space doesn’t have to be big, just big enough to fit your mat and a little extra space around it so you can twist and stretch your arms and legs out. Make sure that your space is clean and free of noise, nothing will discourage you more from getting onto your mat at home than a dirty floor and distracting sounds around you. Not only cleanliness but decluttering is important, if you’ve got a pile of laundry waiting to be folding that is staring at you while you’re in your Warrior I, chances are you are going to cut your practice short to get that done. So, just move any clutter from your space so that you can stay focused and keep your mind free of clutter as well.
Make this space special, bring your favorite scented candle, a plant, a picture of a loved one, or anything that makes you feel good. These things will not only make your space inviting but will give you a drishti (focal point) to focus on while practicing.
2. Make Time
To be sure that you not only build this home yoga practice, but actually keep up with it, you should create set time for yourself to get on the mat. The perfect time is going to be different for everyone. If you are an early bird, you might not hate waking up a little early to get in this time for you, before the rest of the family gets up. Maybe you’re more of a night owl and don’t mind staying up a little later to get in your practice. Others might have a lull in the middle of the day, while the kids are napping or on the weekend. Whatever it may be for you, just commit to getting on that mat, even if just for 5-10 minutes.
Starting slow may be what's best, if you set a goal to do a full 90 minute practice and then things come up that snatch you off the mat, you might get disappointed in yourself for not completing the goal. So, start slow until it starts to make it's way more and more into your routine and then you can lengthen your time.
3. Feel
Listen to your body. Your home yoga practice is your opportunity to explore your own unique and personal practice, and to make it your own rather than relying on having your yoga teacher tell you what to do. Once you get on your mat in your sacred yoga space, lie down, close your eyes, and listen to what your body is telling you. If your low back is aching you might want to focus on gentle movements and forward folds to soothe it. If you are feeling tired you might want to create a more energizing and invigorating practice. You can also focus on things you may not normally get to focus on in your usual studio class or linger a little longer in the postures you love.
Have fun with yourself, love yourself, and listen to your body.
4. Make a Great Playlist
Your yoga practice at home will be much more enjoyable if you create a great playlist to listen to. Create a great playlist that you love, that'll lull you into relaxation and/or energize you and get you ready to move. You can create your own playlist with all your favorite songs, or you can find some great playlists online for your yoga practice if you don’t want to do the extra work of creating your own.
And remember there's nothing wrong (and I encourage it) with taking a little dance break in the middle of your yoga practice. That’s the other great thing about a home yoga practice, you can add some extra quirks in that are unique to you and you don’t have to worry about your neighbors on the mat to look at you with the side eye.
5. Find Some Great Resources
If moving and flowing on your own makes you feel like a deer in headlights, then find some online resources to help you out. Youtube is always a great place to start, there are tons of yoga videos there. You can also try subscriptions to yoga videos and classes with some of the more well-known yoga instructors. These include Doyouyoga.com, codyapp.com and oneoeight.com, and tons more.
Another Quick Tip
- Be prepared: you don’t want to have to get on your mat after you’ve already begun your practice. So, be sure you’re prepared with water, and a sweater in case you get cold during your more gentle portions of the practice.
Doing yoga at home in your own space is a great way to deepen your yoga practice. It teaches you to really go within and learn more about yourself, your body, breath, mind, and spirit.
