5 Tips to Practice Yoga at Home
"For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different." — Judith Hanson Lasater
It can be difficult to maintain a yoga practice at home. You can lose motivation, procrastinate, or even dismiss the practice all together.
Here are 5 tips to help you maintain a regular yoga practice at home.
1. Allocate Time and Space for Your Practice
Allocate a specific time in your schedule on a regular basis to maintain a regular practice routine. It can be in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on where you have some free time in your schedule.
Create a comfortable space in your home that is devoted to your yoga practice. Make sure you have enough space to move around and it’s not cluttered. If you need to, move bulky objects around or whatever comes in your way.
It doesn't have to be set in stone, you can always switch it up for a change, but try to have a consistent practice of at least 3 times per week.
2. Use Proper Equipment
Invest in a good yoga mat that will last you for a long time. Although a yoga mat might be all you need, having additional accessories like a couple of blocks and a strap can be helpful to deepen your practice, especially in the more challenging poses.
If you're just starting out, a yoga mat is all you need, and perhaps later down the line you can slowly add to your collection based on your needs.
My first yoga mat was the Begin yoga mat by Manduka. I would recommend to buy a yoga towel with it since it tends to get a bit slippery if you sweat a lot.
3. Listen to Your Body and Stay Safe
Don't compare yourself to others. Stick to what your body is capable of doing and go easy on yourself. Be mindful of proper alignment and always take the variation that suits you. It's not a competition, so don't push yourself too hard.
Each time you step on your mat is different. One day you may feel strong and energetic, and the other you may feel restless and in need of a stretch. Let your practice be subjective to what you need and don’t be upset if you aren’t capable of doing a certain asana during your practice.
Yoga is way more than just asanas. Asanas are just one limb of yoga. Don’t injure yourself trying to perfect your practice.
4. Choose a Yoga Style and Good Teacher
Before you step on your mat, ask yourself 'How am I feeling today, and how do I want to feel'?
Do you need something to give you energy or to relax and restore? If you're not sure where to start, here are some of the youtube channels I follow that have a variety of yoga videos that are beginner-friendly:
https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithadriene
https://www.youtube.com/@WellWithHels
https://www.youtube.com/c/BrettLarkinYoga
5. Don’t Skip Shavasana
The final resting pose, Shavasana, is a crucial part of any yoga practice and totally worth it.
-It induces relaxation by deactivating the sympathetic nervous system and shifts the body from 'fight or flight response' to 'rest and digest'.
-It relieves muscle tension
-It gives a chance to heal by connecting with your subconscious mind
So grab your mat, and remember, the hardest part is showing up
Happy practicing!
