How to Develop a Yoga Practice at Home

Photo Credit: Photo by Sweetyoga Justine on Unsplash

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Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.
- James Baldwin

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A beautiful thing has arisen since covid-19 has changed the world.  Many of us are evaluating how to simplify our lives.  Increasing simplicity is one of the gifts of yoga.

Although many of our students crave the setting, structure, and community that a yoga studio provides, some of our students are embracing the ability to practice yoga with their favorite teachers from home.  In fact, we’ve welcomed students “at the studio,” who are streaming yoga classes online from their homes on multiple continents, in multiple states, in the suburbs of Chicago, as well as right down the street.

Streaming yoga classes online has allowed us to open ourselves to a new mode of accessibility.  After all, accessibility is the cornerstone of our studio.  

Although we've had our challenges, I think we’ve excelled at providing the same sense of community and welcoming that we pride ourselves in providing at our classes in person, to those of our students joining us for yoga online.  That is the benefit of a small studio: personal attention.  We get to know our students, their goals, and their yoga practices in the intimate class sizes we provide.
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However, without some forethought, I think taking yoga classes at home can cause students to miss out on some of the benefits a yoga studio provides.  So if you’re interested in taking online yoga classes at home or just want a peaceful retreat, here are some tips for creating the ideal environment for your at home yoga studio.

Five Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Home Yoga Practice

1. Sequester Yourself - It’s hard to get into your yoga class when your roommate is doing the dishes nearby, your partner is asking when your uncle’s birthday is again, or your kids are watching Paw Patrol.  Consider finding a special space where you can sequester yourself and create your own yoga studio at home.  I’ve seen people practicing in their basement den, their bedroom, a bathroom, and even in closets!  Don’t be afraid to tell your loved ones you need a little time to practice yoga quietly and close the door.  Yoga studios are all about sequestering ourselves from the outside world for a little while.
2. Set the Stage - Similarly, it can be hard to relax when you’re under fluorescent lighting and there’s a bad smell wafting from the trash can.  Is there a way you can make your environment more pleasing to you?  Think about the sensory experience - low lighting, pleasing aromas, calming music, and a cozy blanket for deep relaxation can all set the stage for an experience at home that mimics the sensory experience you get at a yoga studio.
3. Create an Altar - Altars are the focal point for yoga studios for good reason.  They remind practitioners of the history behind yoga and the reason for practicing in the first place.  Altars are a place of inspiration.  If it feels authentic, you might like to set up a place near where you practice that serves as a home altar.  It doesn’t need to be fancy.  For ideas on how to create an altar for your home yoga studio, check out this blog post!
4. Invest in Props - Yoga props are not a necessity.  Even when working with significant limitations, there is a way to practice yoga comfortably without the use of any props.  However, sometimes it’s nice to have tools at our disposal to align ourselves more easily and allow us to sink deeper into a pose.  This is especially true in classes like Restorative or Yin Yoga, which heavily feature props.  If it’s in your budget, consider investing in a few key props for your at home yoga studio: two yoga blocks, a rectangular bolster, one or two blankets that fold up neatly, and a strap.  If it’s not in your budget, you can jury rig a set of props from two equal-sized, thick books, two or more blankets that fold up neatly, and a belt or tie.  You don’t even need a yoga mat!  A soft surface like a towel, carpeting, or rug will do just fine.
5. Treat Your Home Studio Like a Yoga Studio - One reason we feel so relaxed after a great class at a studio is because our mind has a chance to focus and settle.  If you’re constantly getting up off your mat to grab a prop, fill your water bottle, or give your pet (no matter how adorable) some snuggles, of course you’re not going to feel as connected or relaxed as you do after class at the yoga studio.  Treat your home studio the same way.  Ten minutes before class, gather what you need around you, tell everyone you’re closing the door for the duration of the class, and join your yoga class online a few minutes early, so you can enjoy a few quiet moments to yourself before class starts.

I hope these tips give you some ideas for creating your personal yoga studio at home and getting the most out of your yoga classes online.  If you need help getting started, please comment below!