One of the most beautiful aspects of the practice of yoga is that you can do it anywhere. From a yoga studio to a remote mountaintop, there is always enough space for you to find your center, move through a flow, and feel the grounding energy that you need to thrive.
If you are moving deeper into your practice, you might want to create a space in your home dedicated to yoga, where you can
consistently work toward greater strength and flexibility—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Fortunately, every home has enough room for a yoga zone; whether you live in a cramped studio or a sprawling mansion, here are the tips you need to design a comfortable and invigorating home yoga studio.
Where Should You Practice?
The most important attribute of an at-home yoga space is that it allows you to relax and focus on your practice. Thus, you should think about the potential distractions in different areas of your home and select a space where you will feel most at peace.
Generally, it isn’t a good idea to designate a space in a high-traffic room, like the family room, and you might want to keep your yoga studio separate from any high-stress environments like your home office. If possible, you should keep your yoga space in an area that feels private. If you don’t have much space in your home, you might choose a corner of your bedroom; if you do have more square feet than you need, you might be able to transform an entire bedroom into your yoga retreat.
If you have any outdoor space, you might consider moving your practice outside. A balcony, a covered patio, and even a garage can make for serene surroundings—though you may need to install privacy screens or
soundproofing if you live in a loud, busy neighborhood.
You might take turns practicing in different areas of your home to feel the energies of each potential space. Once you find a zone that allows you to move freely and feel calm, you can begin modifying it to perfectly suit your needs.
Which Décor Is Best?
You don’t necessarily need to decorate your yoga space. In fact, if your home is small, you might opt out of inserting any additional décor, which will only serve to clutter your space and your mind. Instead, you might make smaller
changes to your home environment to encourage a peaceful practice, such as introducing fresh air or soothing sounds.
If you are fortunate enough to have an entire room dedicated to your yoga practice, you can and should decorate with intention. To start, you should strive to make the room feel airy, opting for lighter colors and fabrics. You should choose softer light bulbs and install dimmers to give you complete control over the level of illumination in the space.
You may choose to arrange your space based on the
principles of feng shui, which can promote health, harmony, and balance. However, you should avoid the temptation to stuff your room with large pieces of décor, which will negatively impact your flow in more ways than one. At most, you may cover your walls in beautiful images and/or mirrors, which can inspire you during your practice.
What Equipment Do You Need?
In truth, you don’t need much more than your body to practice yoga. Yet, there are some tools that can be helpful in deepening your practice, especially if you require certain modifications to achieve the correct form. Some of the most
popular at-home yoga equipment include:
A mat, which should be long enough to accommodate your body as well as appropriately sticky and cushioned for comfort. You should invest in a mat you find beautiful, as you will be gazing at your mat often.
Bolsters, which are boxy pillows that can support the body in different positions. Many people choose to sit on bolsters for meditation. Ideally, your bolster will have a washable cover, so you can keep your practice clean.
Blocks, which can be used similarly to bolsters but offer more resistance to aid in strengthening poses. You can find blocks in different materials, from wood and cork to foam, as well as various sizes. At the very least, you should have two identical blocks that fit comfortably under your hands.
Straps, which help you maintain form and add depth to certain stretches. Straps come in three sizes, 6 feet, 8 feet, and 10 feet, as well as three types of cinches, plastic, metal, and quick release. You might want to experiment with different styles to find what works for you.
As you acquire more equipment for your practice, you may need to expand your storage solutions in your yoga space. After every practice, you should take the time to tidy up, so your space feels fresh and calming when you return.
An at-home yoga studio doesn’t need to be flashy or expensive. As long as your mind, body, and spirit feel centered in the space, you will have an effective area to engage in this enriching practice.
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