10 tips for practicing yoga at home

Practicing yoga at home has never been easier. If you are a yoga beginner or relatively new and want to establish a yoga practice in your own home, it is important to do a little groundwork before jumping into the ring. To avoid injury and maximize the power of your yogic experience, careful preparation and a small investment can make your yoga learning at home viable, efficient, and fun.

Here are ten tips to help you establish a yoga practice at home.

1) Create a space

Establish a space dedicated to the practice of yoga. Make sure that it is free of furniture that could pose a risk to you when you do the different yoga asanas. Your space should be clean and serene. Decorate it with pictures and objects that create a feeling of peace in your heart.

2) Invest in work tools

If you don”t have a yoga mat yet, buy one. There are yoga mats for all pockets and tastes. Make sure you have two blocks and a strap for modifications, and consider getting yourself a yoga blanket. Not only will they keep you warm when you relax in savasana but they can also be rolled up to help you modify postures. You may need 2 pillows to get below your knees, and you will probably want at least one that is a safu- style or meditation cushion.

3) Take precautions to prevent injury

When you practice yoga at home, it is your responsibility to make sure that you do not harm yourself. Keep your space clear of obstacles such as children”s furniture and toys, and if possible, do yoga in a room with a wooden floor. Soft surfaces can cause joint injury, and a thick mat makes balance difficult.

Christel Pierron (Seva Simran Kaur), an experienced Hatha Yoga, Yogadance and Kundalini Yoga teacher on Cape Cod, cautions: “Never force a pose. If you are going to seek your limits, it is better to have a teacher who can see you and help you go further. At home, take it easy. Don”t compete with your body. Love your body, nourish your body, and give yourself. Surrender, warm up, and practice the postures you already know… this is how a practice at home should be. For the more difficult postures you should go to a class, where the teacher can create a safe environment for you. ”.

4) Choose your Yoga style

There are so many styles of yoga to choose from that it can be a bit intimidating at first. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, get excited! There are so many ways to choose from, that if you don”t like one, you have plenty more to try. The Hatha Yoga is the most common form of yoga, but there are several schools of Hatha yoga to choose from. Pierron recommends that beginners try something like Iyengar Yoga or Kripalu Yoga to help them learn the mechanics of a pose. If dynamic movement and deep meditation is what you really love, Kundalini Yoga may be the perfect style for you. Find teachers and styles that fit your needs that serve as inspiration for your practice at home.

5) Get a teaching

Once you find a style and teacher that you like, go to some yoga classes. You can work with a teacher to find a suitable series that you can later do at home. Pierron says: “Nothing replaces a teacher who gives your personal teaching.”

6) Do more research

If you can”t find a teacher in your city, or if you want to continue training yourself about yoga, invest in some yoga books at home. They can serve as useful references to learn to master the asanas.

On the Internet there are a lot of resources for a yoga practice at home. You can search iTunes for a yoga podcast that suits your level and interests. You can also find videos on YouTube with instructions and tips on practicing yoga at home.

7) Take yoga with you

Even when you are not at home, you can improve your yoga practice at home. There are applications for smartphones and tablets that can be used to study yoga asanas when you are traveling, or even practice pranayama. Many yoga apps are free, and others are very affordable.

8) be gentle

“If you”re a yoga beginner, start out like one, whether you”re in shape or not,” advises Christel Pierron. Start with small increments of time. Take it easy when starting a yoga practice. Yoga was not designed as an exercise routine, but as a way to achieve spiritual union with the divine and to purify the body to prepare it for meditation. Respect the discipline and your body enough to give it time to adjust to its practice.

9) Set a mood

For many, good music during yoga is one of the best parts of the practice. Consider having a music player in your yoga space. Start collecting music that leads to a beautiful yoga experience and make a playlist just for your practice.

10) Meditate

The purpose of yoga is to support meditation. In your yoga practice at home, don”t forget to take some time after your workout to meditate and relax your mind while relaxing your body. There are many forms of meditation. Try something simple, like sitting with your spine straight, closing your eyes, and concentrating on your breathing. The benefits of meditation range from lowering your blood pressure to improving your mood.

Remember that yoga is a practice of honoring yourself and your body. Take time to rediscover your body and soul in an enriching way. Try to find the time in your busy life to take even ten minutes to yourself in your new sacred space. The stresses of the day and the world outside your yoga space may seem pressing and urgent, but ultimately whether the dishes are clean or the washing machine is ready is not as important as whether you feel comfortable with your body and yourself. . Start your yoga practice at home slowly and continue steadily and smoothly.