Bring a little Om to your home: Creating Your At Home Yoga Space
Creating a dedicated yoga space is crucial to establishing a successful home practice. The idea is to design a space that entices you to your mat and eliminates the need to rearrange the furniture. If you have less room and are unable to carve out space without rearranging some furniture, try to make moving the furniture part of your ritual. The important thing is to have a permanent space you visit every day. With a designated yoga area already waiting for you, all you need to do is step into your practice!
It's all too easy to skip your yoga routine. Seeing a space in your home already set up can help inspire you to visit your practice. Moreover, without the need to commute to a studio, you can spend more time on your mat.
When your mind and body greet the same space every day, it allows you to take better notice of your mental growth and physical progress. Being rooted in the consistency of your space will help you dive deeper into self-inquiry and discovery. Practicing in your own personal space can help push you past your comfort zone. In the privacy of your own home, you can Om a bit louder and lose balance without losing face.
You can use your new space for more than just yoga. It can also be a quiet place to meditate, read, or relax with your morning brew, a place for you to reconnect and re-center.
Creating a yoga space doesn't have to be a big project. Here are some tips for setting up your home sanctuary and personalizing your peace of mind.
Natural Selection
Go through your home and pick out your permanent yoga spot. It can be a room or a corner of a room. I suggest picking a place with a window or doors to let in sunlight and airflow. You can watch your practice change with the seasons.
You may enjoy decorating your space with natural elements, such as plants, flowers, and/or crystals. Candles are a great way to create natural light when you are practicing at night.
Practicing by a window and/or surrounded by natural elements can simulate the feeling of being outdoors. If you live somewhere, where the weather permits you may even want to consider setting up your yoga space outside. Immersing yourself in nature is a proven way to relieve stress.
Soften Your Space
Instantly transform a drab room into a peaceful sanctuary by pinning a tapestry or sheet to the wall. Experiment with different colors and textures. Or if you're feeling up to it decorate the walls (or an accent wall) with a soothing color or patterned wallpaper. You can also decorate with wall decals. Keeping pillows and blankets nearby is a great way to cozy up your space.
Find Focus
Anchor your eyes and mind with an altar. You can turn a bookshelf, nightstand, dresser, or coffee table into an altar. Decorate your altar with anything you find beautiful or spiritual, whether it by sound bowls, ceramics, photos, or little ornaments. If you don't have space for a full altar, a sculpture on the floor can focus your gaze. If you have even less space, a floating shelf with candles and/or a few devotional items can direct your Drishti.
Tidy Space, Tidy Mind
You want to keep your yoga area uncluttered. But you also want to make sure you have all the props you need nearby. Keep cushions, blankets, foam blocks, and straps around for support. Buy a cute basket or box to organize your props and yoga mat. If you are using a dresser for an altar, store your props in one of the drawers. If your yoga space is in the corner of a room make sure the rest of the room is tidy.
Scent-er Yourself
Add some aromatherapy to your yoga space. Scented candles and/or essential oils can encourage you to breathe deeper into your practice. Lavender and rose are soothing scents for more restorative/ yin sessions, while citrus scents, like grapefruit and orange, are energizing for vinyasa sequences and power yoga.
Burning sage or incense can cleanse your space and create a tranquil ambiance. Burning sage ceremoniously separates your yoga space from the rest of your house and the time you spend in your practice from the rest of your day.
How do you like to decorate your home yoga space?
Dana Fares
@yogabeforecoffee