Why Practice Yoga at Home
Practicing yoga at home is a great way to continue getting the benefits from Uptown Yoga classes you attend at our studio. By establishing your own practice, you’re making yoga a part of your everyday life, and you’ll soon start to see the benefits of practicing daily.
Think about reduced stress levels, for example. You’ll also enjoy greater familiarity with your favourite poses, and your flexibility and strength will start to increase. Yoga at home gives you privacy and allows you to practice when it suits you, focusing on the breathing exercises and asanas that you most enjoy.
Plus, at-home yoga allows you to practice as much or as little as you like. There’s no need to commit to a whole hour. Getting up in the morning, allowing your muscles and joints to loosen, and welcoming the day with a series of sun salutations may be all you want to do - and it’s a great way to start the day!
Setting Up Your Home Yoga Space
Are you wondering where to practice? All you really need is a quiet, clutter-free space with enough room for your mat and a little more, allowing you to move comfortably. Choose a space with soft, natural light or adjust your space by adding candles or dimming bright lights.
Aside from your own yoga mat (check out our selection at Uptown Yoga), you may want to invest in a few props, such as yoga blocks, to make challenging poses easier to achieve. Consider creating a playlist of relaxing music to help transition from a busy day into a relaxing yoga session.
Starting Yoga at Home - Tips for Beginners
As we mentioned above, starting to practice yoga at home doesn’t mean committing to a full session. Set realistic goals that you’re likely to stick to. For example, if you normally join two Uptown Yoga classes per week, aim to practice twice more on the days between your classes.
Start with foundational poses or simple flows, such as a series of sun salutations. Add poses slowly and observe how your body feels every time you practice. Consider adding breathing exercises, too, especially if you’re practicing after a full day at work and looking to calm your mind and soothe your body.
As you progress, think about adding more advanced poses or flows. Remember, though, if you’re practicing at home, there is no one to check your alignment, so it’s best to keep things simple at first.
Creating a Consistent Home Yoga Routine
Consistency is the key to progress in anything you practice, and yoga is no different. Commit to a certain time of day and a set number of days per week. For many long-term yogis, the beginning of the day works well for their home practice.
Even if you’re just planning a short session, take a couple of minutes to warm up and loosen up before moving through asanas. This will help you settle into your practice and avoid injuries. Do your best to maintain proper alignment, perhaps by practicing in front of a mirror.
Most importantly, though, listen to your body. While you may have set a particularly ambitious goal for today’s session, be open to changing that if your body feels tired or you struggle to focus. Yoga is a practice and a journey, and there’s very little benefit in becoming overly attached to hard goals.
What's more, as much as consistency matters, don’t worry if you miss a day of practice. Simply start again on the following day.
