There are many pros and cons of practicing yoga at home versus at a studio. Aside from the great health benefits of yoga, one huge benefit of practicing yoga at home is you will save tons of money by not forking over $10-20 per yoga class at a studio. There are many great sites to find free online yoga instructions, so there is no excuse to try out a home yoga practice. If you are able to practice at home from time to time, you’ll need an excellent space to lay out your mat and get to work. Here are some recommendations for creating your perfect at-home practice space.
Remember, You Don’t Need a lot of Room
One beautiful thing about yoga is that it requires very little space. Nearly all yoga poses do not require much movement outside of your mat. So you’ll only need a bit more room than the length and width of your yoga mat. Try having at least 3 feet of extra space on all four sides of your mat.
Hard Surfaces Are Better than Soft
With the help of a well-cushioned yoga mat, a hard surface provides the most support for your poses. Hard burr carpet, wood, and tile floors, and other carpets with a low pile work best. It’s highly advisable to avoid practicing on soft, plush, and high-pile carpets. It may seem like these would be more comfortable, but they can actually be dangerous as your balance will be compromised.
Quiet and Interruption-Free Space
The quieter, the better. I understand that many of us have children and pets, but as much as possible, try to limit the distractions and noise level. Try scheduling your practice during the kids’ nap or school-time. Ask everyone in your household to respect your yoga-practice time. Explain that it will help you to feel better and improve your mood!
Lighting–Keep it Low
It’s essential to have enough light to see what you’re doing. Other than this element, lighting is really a personal decision. Some people enjoy practicing in a bright sunlit room. While others may enjoy a dimly lit room illuminated by candles. Play around with lighting and see what makes you feel the best.
Music or Silence?
Just as with lighting, this is a personal decision. However, if you do choose to listen to music, consider using soft meditative music or nature sounds. Here are some excellent yoga music CD’s that you can find in your local music shop or online:
- Namaste by Various Artists
- Tibetan Chakra Meditation by Ben Scott
- Satoriby Riley Lee
- Feng Shuiby Daniel May
Of course, if you are practicing to a yoga video, chances are the voiceover track will have background music already playing. If you love the yoga video, but don’t enjoy the music, consider placing the video on mute and substituting your own music or silence. But be sure you are familiar with the video pose sequence before muting the voiceover.
As I’ve said before, supplementing any studio classes with at-home practice can be a great way to stay consistent with your training. And if you’ve put some thought and time into creating a lovely space, you may be that much more excited to get on the mat and practice.
