Once you have outfitted your yoga space with a few small pieces of furniture and some soft lighting, you will need to bring in the proper equipment or props and some personalized accessories that will help create an air of tranquility.
PERSONAL TOUCHES
In addition to bringing sounds, scents, and artwork into your sanctuary, let your imagination roam outdoors and take advantage of natural objects to embellish your yoga space.
• Use the resonant tones of bells, Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, and gongs to help you relax before or after your session.
• Keep a selection of DVDs that offer different levels of yoga instruction.
• Start a collection of CDs that feature Indian, ethnic, or inspirational music.
• Hang up your favorite artwork, meaningful images, tapestries, wind chimes, or soothing spiritual objects such as dream catchers, Russian icons, or Mexican retablos. Remember that Swami Vivekananda taught the universality of all religions.
• Place natural objects such as shells, sea glass, crystals and minerals, feathers, nests, and colored glass bottles around your space.
• Use flameless votive or pillar candles for safety, and place them in ceramic, glass, or brass holders or Asian-style lanterns.
• If there is a window in your space, try adding oxygen-expelling plants to cleanse the air and brighten the view. If there is no window nearby, try plants with low-light requirements, such as spider plants and asparagus ferns.
• If your space abuts a busy part of your home, invest in an inexpensive screen and unfold it when you are practicing or trying to relax. You can also ask younger family members to respect a 15-minute quiet time—before chaos reigns again.
BENEFICIAL PROPERTIES
Essential oil diffusers can create an aromatic ambience as well as enhance your mental state. A number of beneficial oils are able to stimulate the mind-body connection, especially when combined with thumb and forefinger mudras. Consider the virtues of stress-relieving bergamot; depression-easing patchouli; reviving and grounding sandalwood; uplifting lemon; protective and healing frankincense; or anger-reducing Roman chamomile. You can also burn incense cones or joss sticks in the same mood-elevating scents.