How to start practicing yoga at home? Why do we need a manual for that? Practicing yoga at home can’t be easier, right? You just need a mat. Or maybe not, you can do it on the carpet. In your pyjamas.
And yet, although all of the above is completely true, practicing yoga at home can be more elusive than it seems.
There can be many reasons for that. For example there is hardly any free space in our house. Or there are too many things that are calling for our attention, like the laundry waiting in the washing machine or the pot for our morning coffee. Maybe it is too difficult to be persistent and consistent as we are on our own and we can do it whenever we want but there never seems to be a good time in the end. Or else we lack the commitment of the group class?
Whatever the reason, if you have tried to practice at home on your own (or even with a prerecorded class) and failed, you are not alone!
There are certain things you can do to help yourself though. Here are some ideas:
Make some space.
If it can’t be left free, make sure it is very easy to clean up before practice. I, for example, need to move a pouf to make space for my mat but that’s no big deal. If you have to move many things though, it becomes more difficult to even approach doing yoga. It becomes a chore. Keeping the room clean and the clutter under control helps as well. Having too much stuff around us makes our mind scattered as well. And vice versa, inhabiting clean open spaces creates space in our minds as well. But if that’s a tough one (it is!) a clean space for your mat is enough.
Set a time and keep to it every day.
Mornings are a very good time. First of all, you are on an empty stomach and you have to be for yoga. Second, your day hasn’t yet started so you are not immersed in activities that you need to pause to practice. And third, yoga is a great beginning of your day. But of course, if that doesn’t work for you, choose any other time that will be more convenient. The important part really is stick to the same time each day! In this way you will stop forgetting your practice in the whirlwind of everyday stuff.
Start small.
At the beginning choose a shorter practice if you need to. Doing yoga for 10 minutes every day is better than doing yoga for an hour once a week. Start with something that can easily fit in your day and stick to it for awhile. Several Sun salutations, a pose or two, some breathing. The chances are that you will begin to feel the difference this makes in your day and will want to make more space in your life for it. Then you can add more postures and grow your practice. And once you feel the benefits even if you are tired or lazy you will be motivated to do the work.
Go to a class every once in a while.
Practicing yoga at home has many benefits. It is more time efficient and cheaper. It is only for you and you can move at your own pace. There is nobody to compare to. And you can wear what you like. Having said all that, it is always nice to go to a class and practice with other people from time to time. The group energy, the suggestions from the teacher, the social side of it all feed into our home practice and make it more sustainable in the long run.
I hope that these tips how to start practicing yoga at home will be useful. See you soon on the mat!
Related articles:
Why doing more in yoga is not serving you well
Our body’s adaptation to life challenges may result in pain
Photo by Avrielle Suleiman on Unsplash
