While it is always worthwhile to attend yoga classes—you’ll improve your technique, make new friends, and feel a sense of accomplishment—it doesn’t take a lot to carve out a home sanctuary where you can practice yoga . . . or simply sit and relax.
Among the benefits of creating a home yoga studio are being able to indulge yourself in the practice whenever the mood strikes (or the stress strikes!); providing yourself and your family a dedicated space without household clutter, stray toys, or jarring noises; and giving yourself the gift of privacy, if you so choose, away from the hectic pace of family life. Once you have a yoga area, it probably won’t be long before you are using that space for other spiritual pursuits, such as meditation, chanting, chime therapy, or other restorative practices. Plus, many people who have created and begun to regularly use a yoga “den” report that it has become a catalyst for other positive changes in their lives—seeking new job opportunities, enrolling in additional classes or schooling, or focusing on building better personal relationships or more meaningful friendships.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Look around your home for a space you can convert. If you are a homeowner, investigate the basement, finished attic, or a heated garage. An old kid’s playroom or outgrown nursery could be perfect. A few lucky people may have the right climate to create an outdoor space, perhaps under a carport or partially covered patio, and take advantage of fresh air and natural light. Apartment dwellers may have to take over a corner of the bedroom or part of the living room to create their space, but it will be worth it in the end. If you accessorize it nicely—and roll up your mat when you are done—it will become a welcoming spot, whatever its purpose.
Ideally, your yoga studio should have enough floor space to place two mats three feet apart, and enough room to house a small but comfy chair and a small desk or table. A CD or MP3 player on the table can provide soft music, and a DVD player and monitor can be used for watching instructional videos. The lighting should be soft, but not too dark. Overhead lighting tends to be harsh, so opt for floor or table lamps. If you have the freedom to paint the area, soft pastels (like sea greens or pale slate blues) are very relaxing—deep reds, oranges, and yellows are not. Hanging a wall mirror also makes sense, especially if you want to practice new poses.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
You’ll be surprised how many reasons you’ll find to visit your quiet space in the course of a day in addition to the time spent there practicing your regular yoga routines.
• First thing in the morning, energize your body with seven sun salutations.
• Practice your breathing and facial exercises.
• Pop in a DVD about another discipline, perhaps tai chi or Pilates.
• Indulge in craft making, create a vision board, or join the kids on the floor for some finger painting.
• If you’re feeling sore, ease the pain with gentle poses that target those tender areas.
• Instead of lounging on the couch on the weekends, invite your significant other or best friend to join you for some basic poses or light stretching.
• Use the solitude to meditate or to work out the solution to a problem or conflict.
• Bring a good book and a glass of wine or cup of tea to your cozy chair.
• When you get home from a busy day, set a timer and relax on your mat for 15 minutes.
• Do some light stretching before bedtime to ease away the kinks and relax.