Creating a Home Yoga Practice

A Home Yoga Practice. The concept is easy enough but it generally puts fear into our hearts. It should be easier to practice at home since you don’t have a commute or a cost to go to a studio shouldn’t it? But the problem is focusing and creating that practice we desire. Often dishes, laundry, kids, good TV shows or other daily duties get in the way. Our intentions are one thing but what actually happens is another.

Step 1: Create a dedicated practice space, that’s funny right? If this is not possible, and let’s be honest it’s not practical for most of us. Find an area of you home that is generally open such as a large entry. I use my husband’s TV room because generally he’s not home when I practice and the kids don’t play in there so I don’t have to pick-up toys before I practice. I can’t see the dishes or any dusty surfaces from that space either!

Step 2: Gather your supplies. In reality you don’t need much, but a yoga mat is suggested. Then depending on what style of yoga you practice you may need strap, blocks and/or bolsters. Some other things that I suggest are a small timer, so you can set it for the length of time you want to practice to stop any clock watching that may happen.

Step 3: Find the time of day that works best for you. It works easiest if it’s the same time most days of the week. Such as first thing in the morning, or last thing at night.

Step 4: Start small. Start by taking out your supplies and doing just 5 minutes of yoga. An easy way to start is with sun salutations, 5 minutes of sun salutations. There are lots of Sun salutation posters or handouts that are available online, print one off and keep it with your practice supplies.

It takes 6 weeks to create a routine, so now just do it. 5 minutes of yoga everyday (or almost everyday) for 6 weeks and you’ve done it. You have created your home yoga practice. After 6 weeks I suggest adding another 5 minutes and spend the next 6 weeks doing your 10 minute yoga practice, working your way up to your goal time.

We often start too big, with huge lofty goals by telling ourselves that we are doing to do an hour of yoga everyday but then we just can’t make it happen. Starting with 5 minutes a day is like baby steps. Just creating the space and time for a small practice will give us the confidence to grow our practice and after that there are no limits!