5 Tips for Starting (and Maintaining) a Personal Yoga Practice at Home
Starting a personal yoga practice at home can seem like a daunting task, or maybe you’ve tried and just never seem to get the hang of it.
Unlike practicing at a yoga studio or gym, it’s so easy to get distracted by everything else that happens in your home. However, practicing at home has so many benefits, including saving time, practicing when it’s convenient for your schedule, and most importantly, providing yourself with a yoga practice that truly suits your personal physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Check out our 5 tips on how to avoid getting distracted when starting a personal yoga practice at home.
1. Create a Sequence or List of Poses
It’s much easier to stay focused on your practice if you have a set sequence or list of poses to follow. If you are following a faster paced vinyasa yoga practice, make sure to stay focused on your breath. If you are holding your poses for longer periods of time, using a stopwatch or timer (both of which you can find on your iPhone!) can be helpful for staying focused.
2. Play Music
Choose ambient music or a soothing playlist to help you stay focused on your practice, and not the other sounds that you may be hearing around you. Sometimes just a nature soundtrack will do the trick. Ideally, eventually you will just focus on the sound of your breath.
3. Follow the Ashtanga Sequence
If you are not sure about how to structure a personal yoga practice for yourself, you can follow the Ashtanga sequence. It is recommended to learn the sequence under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher, and to practice at home once you have fully grasped the technique for at least the initial part of the sequence.
4. Dedicate a Specific Space for Your Practice
Make sure you choose a quiet, peaceful and clutter-free area of your home for your personal yoga practice. Tidy up the space before practicing to keep yourself from wanting to do so in the middle of your practice, and ask anyone else that might be sharing that space with you to be respectful of your need to focus during your practice.
5. Allow Yourself to Be Flexible
Remember that each day is different, and you should serve the different needs of your body and mind in order to support your well-being. Some days you may need a vigorous, fast-paced practice, whereas some days you may need a practice focused on longer holds and deeper stretches or restorative poses, and some days all you may want to do is lay on your mat for a 15-minute meditation. Always listen to yourself.
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