Creating a Yoga Space at Home

Just right before the YTT course going to end, I suddenly came out an idea of creating a own yoga space at home. I’m lucky that I still have a spare room in my house which was used to act like our store room with a lot of boxes keeping things inside. With this idea popped up in my mind, I started to do research about the tips creating a home yoga space and also seek advices from my master trainer, Sree. And of course beforehand I had a spring cleaning by removing all those unwanted things and now all are shipshape and Bristol fashion, which is now ready for a whole new purpose!

I truly feel that nothing can take your yoga as deep as practicing at home. I compared myself when I was doing yoga in the studio than practicing alone at home, the feeling is so much different. At home, you have the control of the pace. You can determine whether you want to do it slower and deeper or do it faster with the flow. More importantly, when there’s a time you can’t make it to the studio, and you need to do yoga to dissolve your stress from a long day at the office, this is when the studio comes to you in the form of your own yoga space.

It doesn’t take much work to transform an area of your home into the perfect yoga zone. Here’s I’m going to share few tips of creating a home yoga space.

Accept a small space

Some thought they can’t practice yoga at home because there’s no room in their house. You may not have an entire extra room to devote to your yoga practice, but all you really need is enough space for a mat.

Choose a quiet part of your home such as the corner of your bedroom or anywhere that lights your inner fire and inspires you to step on the mat.

Keep in mind that your feet need a steady surface. A flat surface is a key for balancing postures and to root down into the Earth. Besides that you will probably need a wall for inversions. The length and width of your yoga mat is the perfect area too. The space doesn’t need to be grand, as long as it serves your needs.

It’s okay if your home yoga space is a multipurpose space. When you are practicing think of this space as your temple, and at all other times it can be your coffee table’s home, or where your couch lives, or your front porch. There’s always room for yoga, even in the tiniest of spaces.

Bless the space with scent

The right aroma can clear negative emotions and energies from yourself and others, and fill it with more positive vibes.

Imagine walking into your home yoga space, the scent burning in the corner. As you take your place at the top of your mat, with the first inhalation, the soothing aromas fill your lungs and start to work their magic as you begin to practice.

Scent in your place should be having the qualities to enhance your mood. You need the space to be clean but not smell like chemicals. A diffuser with a blend of essential oils may be more subtle for the space and easier to switch up. If you use candles, match the scent to the mood or theme of your space. Pine, for example, helps you imagine that you are practicing yoga in the forest; while adding lavender to enhance relaxation in your yoga practice.

Have all your yoga tools accessible

Keep your yoga tools nearby to eliminate distractions. This also helps you avoid clutter as you personalise your practice space.

For main usage like yoga mat, yoga towels, a set of blocks, strap, or for meditation purpose like singing bowl, cushions, can all be stored neatly at a basket that lives in your home yoga space. If you’re using music or videos to accompany your practice or a diffuser with essential oils for relaxation, you may need a base cabinets to place candles, diffusers and music players or some would prefer a full wall of cabinetry for a clean sophisticated aesthetic. So, plan your storage accordingly. 

Make the space beautiful

Fill the space with beauty. If you find your space beautiful, you’ll be more likely to use it.

Add plants to the room to achieve mindfulness, circulate oxygen and cleanse toxins from the air, while assisting you with connecting to the Earth.

Fill it with objects that give you peace and tranquility. Pictures of deities that resonate with you, twigs that remind you of your favourite camping spot. Or a gorgeous tapestry, stones and seashells that remind you to ground.

Be careful not to use too many bold colors. Stay with calming blue and earth tones with wall paint and decorations. Too many patterns distract the eyes and the mind. Only include items that are functional or beautiful. Remove anything that doesn’t serve in purpose and design your space to suit your specific needs.

Keeping your space simple will lead to less clutter. You don’t want to think of your yoga space as a chore.

Set the mood with lighting

Don’t underestimate lighting! It’s incredibly important and has a huge impact on your mood and well-being!

Lighting should be calming and soft. A room with natural light energies the body and mind. Sheer curtains in a serene blue or green may be added to reduce strong light and enhance the atmosphere of the room. You’ll want to be able to control the flow and gradation of light to match your mood.

Soft wall sconces that direct light upwards installed with a dimmer is the most recommended for yoga practice. Recessed lights and any downward directed lighting may be a disturbance to the eye in reclined poses. You can also install crown moulding with soft indirect lighting during meditative or restorative sessions.

Creating your own intimate yoga space will amp up your practice and zen mindset a hundredfold! Remember that this space is all yours. When you take time to create a dedicated yoga space, your practice is enhanced and your yoga experience becomes more fulfilling.

Calm is only a few breaths and steps away.