4 Tips to Cultivate a Successful Home-Yoga Practice
This article originally appeared on Yoganonymous.com.
What's the big deal about having a home yoga practice?
Well, it saves you money, saves you commuting time, it saves your own energy, it brings elements of Zen into your home, and it can help connect you with your house-mates.
A lot of people would love to have a home practice, but they don't know where to begin. If you fall into this category, here are four easy tips to help you get started. Test these tools out, see how you feel, and just enjoy it! A home practice has the benefit of being personalized to your mood, and your body's needs, so use it as an opportunity to connect in more deeply with your emotions and your current life situations.
At the end of the day, even if you don't enjoy a home practice, you've lost nothing. You haven't lost any money, or any more time than you would be spending on Instagram, so give it a shot! After all, home is where the heart is.
Cultivate a Successful Home Practice with These 4 Tips
1. Invest in a mat that you love
Oh, this step is essential. If you love your mat, you will want to spend more time on it. Invest in a mat that has a texture you like, a support system you like, and make sure it's visually appealing. So many people don't spend enough time picking out their mat to match who they are and what their yoga preferences are, which can distance you from your practice. Get something you like, with a texture that comforts you—that way you'll be excited to join forces with your mat each day.
2. Block out your practice time
Just like you would block out time in your schedule for a formal yoga class, you should also block out time in your schedule for your home practice. Whne you block out time for yoga in your daily personal care routine (the same way you block out time for brushing your teeth), you will find that you are more committed to making your home practice a regular activity. The amount of time spent each session can vary day-to-day, but just plugging it in there for at least one or two poses will make you so much calmer and personally connected to your world.
3. Create the space
Many people will say, "Oh, my home isn't Zen enough, and I have to take my practice to a yoga studio." Why? Your home is your sanctuary. This is the place that you eat, sleep, and live without pretension. Being comfortable in your home is just as important as being comfortable in your own skin—so, instead of fleeing the home to get into a Zen state of mind, ask yourself: "What can I do to improve the energyinside of my home so that I can practice yoga here?" You may want to clean up clutter, make a yoga corner, or designate a room for yogic activity. Be creative! It could be as simple as bringing in a fresh plant or fresh flowers.
4. Invite people to join you
Yoga is a great way to breathe, open up space, stretch out tension in the body, and just reconnect with your soul. Why not invite your roommates or family members to join you? Make it fun! Make a fresh smoothie, put on a yoga class on YouTube, and get down with your yoga practice. It's a fun way to bond with your parents and siblings, and it's also a great way to wind down after a hectic day. Engage in "Sleepy time Yoga," and pair it with a cup of sleepy time tea. It's a great way to bring the energy of your household together, and strengthen your personal bonds.
