Yoga at home. Sounds easy, relaxing & maybe even fun, am I right?? Well, it can be BUT a home yoga practice introduces an entirely new set of challenges on the mat. Finding the time, space, & mindset to not only start but also maintain a home practice requires effort, routine & flexibility (& I don’t mean being able to touch your toes!).
So here are my top 5 tips that will SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS to start & keep your home yoga practice. Enjoy!
1. Timing is Everything.
Find a time that works for you & stick with it! Finding a time sounds easy but it’s the first step to setting yourself up for success. Take a moment to reflect on your current schedule & ask yourself:
What does your typical day look like? Work, school, kids, pets, chores, cooking, & LIFE are always there. But when can you set aside a time for YOURSELF? Can you set your alarm 20 mins earlier? Can you turn 30 mins of screen time into yoga time? I highly recommend taking time to plan your yoga or else “seeing how you feel” will probably result in feeling like doing something else (this happens to me all the time!). Regardless of your schedule, the first way to set yourself up for success is finding a time that works for YOUR schedule & sticking to it!
2. Get Real.
Let’s be real here...how much time do you ACTUALLY have to commit to your yoga? If you tell yourself you HAVE to practice for an hour & always find yourself feeling distracted, exhausted or defeated after 45 mins, then you may benefit from a shorter practice. Be honest with the time you have. 15, 20, or 30 mins during your day is enough time for yoga! Also consider how many days a week you can realistically dedicate to yoga. Start small. Gradually build. & FORGIVE yourself if you miss a day. It’ll all be ok. Putting less pressure on yourself to “do more” will result in a more efficient, effective & enjoyable practice!
3. Set the Mood.
The more you enjoy your yoga space, the more time you’ll want to spend in it! Bigger isn’t necessarily better. A smaller, cozy yoga nook can provide a sense of safety & protection during your practice. Fill it with things that make you smile. Keep it simple & inspiring, not distracting. Think of elements that bring you that calm yoga studio vibe, like incense or a diffuser, candles, twinkle lights, plants, inspiring pictures or quotes. But again, KISS (keep it simple silly).
Do your best to keep your yoga space away from the distractions of home. Dirty dishes, laundry, & clutter tend to bring on the stress. I live in a small condo where finding a spot to hide the mess can be challenging. So if that’s the case for you, don’t stress! Remind yourself that time on your mat is time for YOU. All the things will get done in their own time. Promise. Oh yeah, & put away your dang phone!
4. Help Yourself Out!
Think of the little things that you can do before your practice to help yourself out! Set out your clothes, water, yoga props, a motivational note & even pick your class ahead of time. If you’re as indecisive as me you’ll spend more time picking an online video than you will doing yoga! So make it easy & don’t give yourself a choice!
ALSO consider keeping a small yoga journal close to your mat to keep track of your goals, feelings, struggles, notes, questions, & inspiration! Spend a couple minutes at the beginning or end of your practice to write down whatever comes to you. Tracking your yoga journey is a great way to remind yourself of how far you’ve come on those days that seem like you’ve gone backwards. Without an instructor motivating or reminding you of your accomplishments, your yoga journal will have all the reminders you need of your success! YOU really are your best teacher.
5. Do Your Thing.
There are so many kinds of yoga out there! So it’s normal for you to try something & not like it. But do yourself a favour & try it a few times before deciding whether or not it’s for you. If yes, cool! If not, no worries! Move on to the next thing & see if it‘s your thing! (You can also do more than one kind!!!)
Same goes for instructors. Find someone (or multiple someones) who’s teaching style you resonate with. There are more instructors than there are kinds of yoga so trust me, you‘ll find one sooner or later! In the end, if moving to someone’s instructions isn’t your thing, then do your thing & know that it’s just yoga...you can’t go wrong!
Alright, there you have it! My top 5 tips that will set you up for SUCCESS at home but remember friends, be patient & have fun! Let me know how your home yoga journey goes :)
Peace, Love & Yoga.
Laura
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