I’ve been practicing yoga for a long time. I first started one summer in high school. That summer, I found myself at home and without a job for a couple of weeks. Since I’ve always had a hard time sitting still, I went to the local library and picked up a yoga book. I started practicing in my parents’ bedroom because it was more spacious than my own. For my initial home yoga space, I don’t think I even had a mat!
My love for yoga continued through university and law school. During my undergraduate degree, my old roommate and I would go to a Thursday night yoga class at the “Downtown Workout”, the only gym in my university town you could get to without a car.
When I moved home and started working, yoga was always a welcome break in a busy schedule. I tried to take prenatal yoga as often as I could when I was pregnant with R. We even tried to do mom and baby yoga a few times. Unfortunately for me, R couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes.
Now I try to fit yoga into my schedule whenever I have the opportunity. My law school (where I work) has yoga once a week for students, and as staff we’re able to take the classes as well.
Since life can get really busy between work, R’s sports and extra curricular activities and working on the blog, I don’t have too much time to run out to a yoga class. I know most of my readers are in the same boat, so that’s why I thought I’d put a short post together on creating your own home yoga space.
Love yoga but short on time? Here are easy steps to create your own at home yoga space Click To TweetHow to Create a Home Yoga Space
Disclaimer
If you’re new to the idea of practicing yoga please speak to your doctor before starting any exercise routine. The advice provided in this post is not medical advice and I am not a doctor or a health/exercise professional. This post is based only on my own experience.
In addition, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase one of the affiliate items I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer.
For more self care tips see –> 39 Self Care Ideas
Space
The first thing you need to create a relaxing yoga home studio is some space. It doesn’t need to be big, but you should have enough room to move around, stretch out and spread your arms.
It’s also a good idea to use a space with a hard floor (don’t worry you’ll put a mat on it). This just means that the floor might be less bumpy or warped.
Air circulation is important as well. You’ll be exercising, so you’ll want to have air moving around in your home yoga room.
Equipment
Your home yoga space could be super elaborate with surround sound, flowers and beautiful Diptyque candles. Or, it could be a mat in your kids playroom. Whatever works for you! No matter where your home yoga space is, there are a couple of items you should consider including.
A Yoga Mat
A high quality, non slip yoga mat is the most important thing in your home yoga space. You want to make sure that the mat isn’t slippery since it could make you more susceptible to falls.
A Computer/Tablet
Since I find myself practicing at home, I like to use a yoga streaming classes on http://doyogawithme.com. I like using Do Yoga with Me because it’s free and the classes are quite good. Because I’m familiar with the moves and have been practicing for several years, I’m comfortable listening to online classes and following along. I would not suggest that someone who is new to yoga start this way.
There are other websites as well that offer yoga classes – http://yogacollective.com and http://gaia.com but they cost a small fee to participate and I haven’t personally tried them yet.
I think Netflix and other streaming services offer yoga classes too.
A Block and Strap
Both a block and strap are not essential, but can be really helpful. The strap helps you add length to your stretches. For example, if you’re sitting down and leaning forward but can’t touch your toes, you can use the strap around your feet to get the necessary stretch.
The block is helpful for sitting postures (you can put it under your bum) and for standing poses when you need to lean forward but can’t quite make it.
A Special Yoga Towel
I know you’re thinking – I have so many towels, why do I need a special yoga towel? A good quality yoga towel is the same size as your mat and you can put it over the mat to absorb any sweat that drips off during your practice.
It’s most common to use a yoga towel during a hot yoga class or one where the postures move quickly and with increased intensity.
While we’re on the topic of towels, I think it’s also a smart idea to have a regular hand towel available to wipe yourself off when you get sweaty.
For more on health check out this post –> Making Healthy Habits in 2017
A Water Bottle
Yoga is hard work! It’s important to take the time to re-hydrate yourself after practice so make sure you have a water bottle somewhere nearby.
To find additional healthy living products and ideas check out my Amazon Healthy Living List!
Do you have a spot to practice yoga at home? What are your favourite items in your home yoga space?
I’ll be sharing this post at some of my favourite linkups.
Taunnie says
Awesome! This post is just what I needed. I just started to get serious about yoga and this post has upped my motivation! Thanks so much.