New year doesn’t need to mean new you, but it is a great time to set intentions for the coming year and to get back into a routine. If that means rolling out your yoga mat at home and starting (or picking back up) a home yoga practice then these are my 6 simple ways to set your home up for yoga.
As someone who has practiced for almost two decades and is now a yoga teacher I know how hard it can be to make time for yourself and have found personally that setting a space up in a way that feels cosy and welcoming really helps me.
1. Find a space that is private
Depending on your living arrangements it can be tricky to find a space that is just yours when you want to unroll your mat. I find that to really get the inward benefits of practice I prefer to not be in a space with others going about day to day life though.
If you live alone then find whatever space works for you and revel in it. If you have flatmates, a partner or kids it can be a little trickier. If you can pop yourself into a room with a door to close then that is perfect. If that’s not possible then setting some ground rules that when you are on your mat everyone is to be as quiet as possible and to maybe take some time to be slow and restful too. This can be a really nice way to add that restful energy to the whole household as well.
Remember it is ok if this isn’t perfect.
2. Think about lighting
Lighting is so important for setting a mood. Depending on your style of practice you may want more or less light but in general I find a yoga practice is not the time for the “big light”.
Instead play around with dimmable lighting, fairy lights or table lamps. The aim here is to add a warm diffused light that feels cosy, grounding and welcoming. When we step onto our mats we are of course moving our bodies but we are also soothing the nervous system and by creating that low light, relaxing space it can help our physiology unwind.
3. Embrace scent
Choose a scented candle, room spray or incense that you love and can be the one you use when practicing to set the scene.
Scent is great at setting a mood and becoming something we associate with particular spaces and feelings. It is also personal, what helps one person unwind may do the opposite to someone else so take your time to find a scent that you love and let that become a signifier of practice.
When it comes to building habits, having elements that we keep the same helps our brain settle into familiar routine which can help that intention to practice stick.
4. Get comfy with props
Having things to hand that can support your practice means you can meet your body wherever it is on that day. These can be props that are specifically for yoga, like a bolster or blocks, or you can substitute with things you already have around the house.
A folded pillow from your bed can become a makeshift bolster, large books can work like blocks and dressing gown cords make a great alternative to straps.
Remember, using props in your practice is not a sign of weakness, it’s about finding ease and listening to what your body needs on any given day.
5. Music?
Some of us like to practice in silence, others love a playlist. There is no right or wrong here, purely your own preference for that particular day.
Whether you always pop music on or it changes depending on the day, having a Bluetooth speaker ready to go is a great way to once again set the mood. If I’m practicing with music then I set the music playing and then leave my phone in the room next door to alleviate distraction.
6. Minimise clutter
I am not a natural minimalist and this point is not about living in a Pinterest ready studio style space but maybe if you’re practicing in the spare room, just moving the pile of washing.
Yoga is an awareness practice and as many of us know the mind likes to wander away from that focus. By removing clutter from the space you are practicing in it may just help the mind stay focused and your practice move away from being purely physical.
I hope these have been of help. Do let me know which one is the game changer for you in the comments below or what you would add