Today, I consider my home practice one of my greatest assets. No matter where I go and no matter what is going on in my life, my home practice is something that I can access whenever I need it. As a yoga teacher, one of my greatest hopes is that all students evolve to that point in their practice, developing the confidence that they need to build the style of yoga that they create and cultivate from their very own homes. If you want to start practicing at home but don’t know where to begin, I highly recommend you sign up for the free 30-Day Yoga Challenge. You’ll build up your confidence and your strength, plus you’ll get used to practicing daily!
You can feel confident with your yoga practice at home by following these six simple steps.
Create a Space
The home yoga room is a small rectangular space in the library/office of my house. It’s just big enough to lay out my mat and spread out into poses when needed. The area is not fancy, but only for yoga. Choose a room as distraction-free as possible. It’s great if it is used exclusively for yoga. If this is not possible, you can still make do with what’s available. Arriving on time is the most important part. The rest will take care of itself.
Start with a Sequence
Start by creating and writing a simple practice sequence. This will help you gain confidence in your home practice. Browse through yoga books and websites such as DOYOU to find poses that stand out. Please do not overthink this; simply jot down the poses in whatever order they occur to you on a piece of paper. A typical yoga class begins with gentler poses to warm up. Then you might include sun salutations, strength poses, balance, and core work, and then finish with more gentle postures that prepare you for savasana. This is a good model to get you started. But as you explore, there are no rules to follow. That’s what makes a home practice so much fun!
Always Have Pen and Paper on Hand
Keep a notebook and a pen next to your mat. You might inadvertently design a cool sequence or combination as you enter or exit a pose. You may have a new idea of something to try the next time. You can pause your practice at any time to write down your thoughts. This will allow you to create a library of poses and sequences that you can use to design your next practice.
Continue to Attend Classes
It’s important to continue attending classes, even if you start practicing at home. If you do not want to leave your home base, online classes are an option. You can get ideas for your practice by taking classes from different teachers. You’d be surprised how often I’ve thought after a class, “I need to remember to practice that flow at my home!”
Get Completely Intuitive
Once you feel more confident, it’s time for another layer. A fully intuitive practice. You’ve got it. At first, it may feel weird, but you must trust yourself and yoga. Let whatever you want to do come. Listen to your body. Explore your breathing. Create a practice that is unique to you. You’ve arrived.
Yoga students will eventually want to practice at home. While working with a teacher is an important part of the yoga tradition, it’s not always possible. These steps will help you to discover the confidence you already possess. Don’t forget, most importantly, to have fun!