Setting Up a Yoga Space
Yoga is a relaxing, rewarding practice that energizes the mind and heals the body. Although a yoga studio is a great place to practice, sometimes it's nice to practice in the comfort of your own home. However, finding the right space can be tough if you don't know what to look for. In this guide, you'll learn how to transform any spot into a relaxing at-home yoga space.
Complement your Energy
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or condo, you can use any open space or even convert an already used space into your personal yoga studio. A peaceful place where you won't be bothered is ideal. This may be hard with kids, roommates, pets, and other distractions. However, here are some possible places to help get you started:
- Bedroom: The bedroom is a place of solitude. You sleep, relax, and dream here. If you have floor space to spare, practicing yoga here will help you channel the calming relaxation usually associated with this room.
- Formal living room: Some people are quite familiar with that one room in the house that is rarely used. Rather, the room is seen as a "formal" room for company. Why not utilize some of that space? You can easily create a calming, makeshift yoga space then change it back when not in use.
- Basement: Depending on your location, you may have a basement. Basements are great spaces that tend to be used for storage or converted into living quarters. Either way, you can easily transform a small area into the ultimate yoga space.
- Backyard: Breathe in the fresh air! Surround yourself by sunshine and practice your postures in a flat area in the backyard. Create a yoga space near any flowers or vegetation to become more connected to nature.
- Make room: Don't have any room to spare? Make room! You can always move a table or slide a couch to the side. Right now, there's a small space in your home just waiting to become a personal yoga studio. Simply clear a small space that is at least six feet by six feet or longer, depending on your height. However, it's vital that you move surrounding furniture out of reach so you have ample room to accommodate all postures.
Make it a point to always practice yoga at the same spot in your home. Over time, you'll start to associate this spot with yoga and will automatically get into the right state of mind each time you roll out your yoga mat.
Create an Environment
First, remove all clutter and distractions from your chosen space. This means furniture, small knick-knacks, papers, and pet toys to name a few. If you're converting a small space only to change it back after your session, a nearby basket or box will be convenient for quickly storing all of the original items. Furthermore, is your space softly carpeted or does it have a hard, flat surface? If practicing in a carpeted area, you may want to slide a finished wooden board underneath your yoga mat to prevent slipping. Now that you have cleared and assessed your space, you have a blank slate to create the perfect environment! Let's get started:
- Make an altar: An altar is a central place where you can meditate and reconnect. An altar can be anywhere you want—book shelf, nightstand, room corner, etc.—and can include anything that helps promote spirituality. You can include items such as incense, pictures, and flowers.
- Yoga mat
- Props: What type of yoga do you intend to practice? Make sure you have props like cushions, foam blocks, and straps to aid your postures if needed.
- Meditation items: Pillows, comfortable blankets, cushions.
- Fabrics: Instantly transform a drab room into a peaceful sanctuary by pinning a soothing-colored sheet to the walls to create an instant faux-paint job. Experiment with different colors and textures.
- Cleansing: Burn sage or incense to set the mood. You can also create a custom scent/spray used specifically for yoga. Every time you use it, you'll associate the scent to your relaxing yoga sessions.
- Light dimmer: You can slightly increase or decrease the lighting to cater to your mood and type of yoga.
- Temperature: Change the temperature to your comfort level. The ability to change the temperature is especially necessary for systems of yoga that require certain temperatures such as Bikram.
- Relaxing music
- Candles
- Windows: If indoors, open up your windows to let fresh air drift inside. If it's too chilly, open your blinds to let the natural light in.
Although there are countless ways to set up your yoga space, don't overwhelm yourself with furnishing it all at once. It's important to carefully construct your yoga space to suit your preferences and evoke the right mood. You can take your time and find pieces you truly love then slowly add them to your space until satisfied.
Enjoy Yoga at Home
Practicing yoga at home is perfect for those days where you crave the comfort of your home. Don't let a lack of space in your home hinder you! With some creativity and effort, you can soon enjoy the relaxing, healing, and meditative qualities of yoga right at home.