Celebrating 50 Years
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These days, we are all doing our best to find ways to stay active at home. Yoga is a great option for just that, and it is a beneficial habit for a lot of different reasons:
- Fosters relaxation
- Improves flexibility
- Increases ability to focus
- Clears the mind
- Relieves pain and/or stress
- Provides spiritual benefits
- Provides physical benefits
Yoga is a great, low-impact, beginner-friendly exercise with such a diverse range of health benefits, and it’s relatively easy to create a yoga space at home. You don’t have to spend a ton on money or have a huge space—just find a space that makes you happy! Check out these easy tips on how to set up the perfect yoga studio in your own home today.
Create a Yoga Studio Space in Your Living Room
Dedicating a specific space in your home for yoga is a way to acknowledge your commitment, and it helps you create awareness. It’s like you are literally making room in your life for it. And you are more likely to practice if you have the space for it. Ideally, you’d have a 9’ x 9’ space, or about the size of a walk-in closet. It can be anywhere: a bedroom, a corner of a room, a flex space, or a bonus room. Big or small, just make the best out of what you have to work with. But here are some tips that can help:- You should have enough room to roll out a yoga mat, plus a bit of room for stretching or doing certain poses
- Your space should be longer than your mat, wider than your arm span, and you shouldn’t touch the ceiling. (You just want to make sure that it’s large to not hit your arms or legs on a wall or a piece of furniture and end up hurt—there’s no Zen in that!)
- Use natural items when possible: bamboo, organic cotton, reclaimed wood, or cork
- Carpet might make poses more challenging, so wood flooring is preferred if possible
Don’t let lack of space hinder you; it’s all about the “intention” you put in the space as you prepare it.
Preparing Your Home for Yoga
If you are unable to dedicate a space for your at-home yoga studio where your mat/other equipment can stay out all the time, and you’ll be giving a current room a new multi-purpose, keep the following in mind:
- Need to move furniture?
- If you’re room has hard floors, make sure felt pads are on the bottoms/feet of your furniture to make sliding these pieces around easier and less of a strain on your back
- Make sure to have a place where your furniture can be moved and out of the way, allowing for 360° of movement (and that it can easily be moved back to its original spot when done with your workout)
- Be cautious moving heavy pieces! You don’t want to hurt yourself getting ready and use that as an excuse to never start the workout
- Where to store your yoga equipment
- Try to keep your equipment stored away in an easy-to-reach spot, but one that keeps it out of the way when you’re not doing yoga
- Consider using wall mounts or an over-the-door hanger for yoga mats or bands
- Baskets help keep things contained, organized, and more aesthetically pleasing if in sight
- Find a piece of furniture that can double in duty, like an ottoman that has storage
- Divide up the space
- If possible, set up the space with defined areas, so not as much moving is necessary before each workout
- Use a divider to separate spaces within one room in order to create an always-ready spot
Your environment sets the foundation for your practice. Keep it clutter- and dirt-free and use every inch of the space to its full capacity. Get creative and put some effort into it!
Environment
Who doesn’t need a little more peace in their life? When setting up your yoga studio at home, you want to make sure your spot is as peaceful as possible. There are some things to consider:
- Make sure it’s quiet, convenient, and calming
- Eliminate distractions: turn off your phone and make accommodations for pets and/or kids
- Get the temperature right: heat helps open the body up, so some might say a warmer room is better, but you can also generate your own heat and keep at standard temp
- Make the space purposeful: a clear space = a clear mind, so keep other items minimal if possible
Find your calm. Some people find calm in the chaos. If you’re calmer with a cat climbing on you or with the kids running around, then let the chaos be your calm. The point is to make the space somewhere you actually want to spend time in.
Equipment
There is not much equipment that is required when setting up your yoga space at home. A yoga mat is really the only vital piece of equipment.
Pro tip: Leave your mat unrolled in your space if possible, to attract you to want to practice more often.
Optional items to consider:
- Yoga blocks – to help with flexibility, balance, and to help you stretch deeper and longer
- Yoga straps – help you get into deeper poses and open up muscles (other options: belt/resistance bands)
- Meditation cushion/pillow
- Accents that help keep you in a positive frame of mind, such as:
- Family photos
- Statue of a deity
- Positive words/affirmations/quotes
- Crystals
- Incense or essential oils
- Yoga towel
- Device for music or nature sounds
- Computer/tv if you’re watching an instructional video
The jury is out on mirrors. Some yogis love them, saying they are great for checking your alignment and posture, and others hate them, citing that it can take the individual out of their mind and back into their body. At the end of the day, use whatever equipment feels right to you.
Decorations
When decorating your at-home yoga studio, a soothing palette with natural elements and neutral, calming décor is ideal. Here are some things to consider:
- Warm paint color on the walls—muted, cool, or warm tones (be sure to use low/no VOC paint if possible)
- Turn lights to low/dimmer-less light—more calming
- House plants/live green wall
- Essential oil diffuser or incense burner
- Candles—to help with emotions or to have something to focus on
If your living room just isn’t where you’re feeling inspired, take your mat outdoors or try a different room! Just keep it simple, warm, and peaceful. At the end of the day, be sure to design your space to express yourself.
Find Your Flow: Create an At-Home Yoga Routine
Kelly Senn, Owner of Orlando Power Yoga, comments, “The group dynamic, the energy in the room, and the love that people share when they are doing yoga together is invaluable. However, if you are unable to make it to a studio, you can still reap the health benefits from trying your luck at home.”
It’s been said the hardest part of yoga is making it to the mat, so just do it—and do it consistently—don’t make excuses. Whether you prefer to add to your nighttime ritual or right before you start your day, don't let other things get in the way of your at-home yoga routine!
Yoga is so good for both the body and the mind, let go of your surroundings, so be inspired, and get ready to nama-“stay” at home and find your om.
What are your favorite ways to practice yoga at home?
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