So, you’ve decided you’re keen to explore yoga practice at home! This is a beautiful step on the path of a yogi, and requires dedication and discipline. Luckily, the rewards you reap are well worth the effort, offering you a sanctuary of mindful movement and peace that travels with you wherever life leads.
Whether you’re a seasoned studio practitioner craving a deeper connection (and, sometimes, convenience) or a total beginner taking the first steps on your journey, creating the time and space for yoga at home will enrich your experience, wherever your practice unfolds. But where to begin? No worries, yogis. We’re here to share some of our tried-and-tested top tips to help you establish and maintain a fulfilling home yoga practice.
Set the scene
First things first - carve out a little space in your home for your practice. You don’t need a separate room or a fancy studio setup; simply find a quiet corner where you can roll out your mat without distractions. Forget anywhere that offers a view of the kitchen’s dirty dishes, piles of laundry, or a computer begging you to answer emails. It might be as simple as a little nook in your bedroom that’s already set up as a space of rest.
Make your new ritual habitual
Creating a new habit might be the biggest challenge when it comes to starting your home yoga practice. So, make it as easy as possible. Start by finding a time of day that suits you and habit-stacking. For example, practice directly after brushing your teeth in the morning or after washing the dishes in the evening. Also, minimise the steps it takes to practice—don’t hide your yoga mat away in a cupboard or set up your space out of sight. Making the daily journey to your yoga mat as easy as possible will ensure your new habit sticks.
Let nature be your guide
Look outside. What time of day is it? What is the season? What is the weather like? Adjust your practice accordingly. You might not want to move through a sweaty sequence in the middle of a hot summer’s day. Similarly, rain might leave you feeling sleepy and unmotivated. Be guided by the wisdom of nature and the seasons, both internal and external.
Simple sequencing
Now, the technical part (but simple, we promise!) - Understand the basics of yoga sequencing. Identify poses that warm you up, cool you down, and serve as the peak of your practice. Create a sequence based on these principles.
Here is a general guide:
Warm up
Meditation + breathing
Gentle seated poses
Sun salutations
Middle
Standing poses
Balances
Cool down
Hip stretches
Forward folds
Twists
Savasana
Don’t be intimidated by the number of suggestions here - if you only have five minutes you could do 2 minutes of breathing, one Sun Salute and a yummy Sleeping Swan to finish.
Whatever your space and schedule, you can make a home practice work for you - and that’s the beauty of it!
Need more guidance? Join Jess in the upcoming Master Your Asana workshop on Creating your own Home Practice. Find all the details here.