You’ve finally committed to embrace yoga into your lifestyle. But you want to do it in your own space, at your preferred pace. Regularly seeing your yoga space will serve as a reminder to consistently set some time aside to do yoga. Practise anytime you wish, without leaving your comfort zone.
But the goal of having your own yoga space at home may seem daunting at first if you are looking at aesthetic Pinterest pegs or basing it on commercial yoga studios. You don’t have to be overwhelmed or overspend just to build your ideal sanctuary. Here are things to remember and some practical tips to create the home yoga studio space that is perfect for you!
Assign an area to be your dedicated yoga spot.
There’s no need to do a big-scale house reconstruction. It can be a spare room or find a barely used corner in your living room. You can even redesign your garage, basement or attic to be your yoga spot. The space should be big enough to accommodate your unrolled yoga mat and other accessories. The area must not be too cramped when you do your poses and arm or leg extensions.
Ventilation is also important. A nearby window, fan or air conditioning unit will be beneficial as you work up a sweat during your yoga session. While it is not required, a solid wall would be a significant part of your yoga studio. The wall can serve as your support when you do your headstands, handstands and other poses that will challenge your balance.
But wherever your chosen spot is, the important thing is you must feel calm, relaxed and focused in that space.
Lighting and colours can set the mood.
Natural light sources are recommended. But if your yoga space is in a secluded or shadowed area, or you prefer practising yoga at nighttime, it would be best to have muted or ambient lighting. Mood lamps and candles can heighten that zen mood. Dimmer switches can also be installed to control the brightness and intensity of your house lights.
As significant as the lighting scheme, the colour palette of your yoga space should also be as soothing and inviting. Pastels and soft colours are recommended as muted tones give off that calming vibe. Afraid your space will be too bland? Add vivid accent pieces for a splash of colour.
However, ensure that the overall look will not be excessively glaring or distracting. Stark lights and harsh colours might deflect the ambience you want to achieve.
Enhance the experience with scents.
Scents can also help in setting up the tone of the session. Do you want to relax and meditate? Are you looking for an energy boost? Or are you into awakening or realigning your chakras?
Certain fragrances and oils have a myriad of benefits and meanings. You can choose the scent that will amplify your intention. The popular fragrances include lavender, jasmine, frankincense, sandalwood, lemon and sage. Scented candles, burning of incense sticks, and spraying or diffusing essential oils can help fill the space with the aroma that speaks to you.
Be careful not to go overboard with your chosen scent or fragrance combination. It might be too overpowering or even cause an allergic reaction.
Decorate and accessorise your space.
Typical accents include rugs or carpets, tapestries with patterns or yoga symbols, motivational posters, and the likes. Crystals and gemstones for specific purposes are useful and creative ornaments as well. A mirror is a recommended piece inside your yoga space. It helps you check if you are doing the forms and poses correctly.
Plants are also a great addition to the space as they can help purify the air and make you feel closer to nature. A TV or monitor might also be handy if you plan to have guided sessions with virtual yoga coaches. A speaker can also be included so you can play soothing music to help you meditate. No need to install a whole entertainment system; even your tablet or a small Bluetooth speaker will do!
However, there is the risk of your space being too cluttered and cramped with all your decorations. So keep it simple and organised.
Equip yourself with the essential yoga gear.
Essential yoga gear includes towels, mats, blocks, straps or the yoga wheel, depending on which poses and exercises you will be doing. You must also include a storage solution where you can keep your yoga gear when not in use.
While it would be easier and more convenient to just leave these stuff out after each yoga session, it would be good to clean them up (especially after a sweaty workout!) and store them properly to keep your yoga space neat and organised.
Final Thoughts
Many choose to do yoga to help them practise meditation and mindfulness and to relieve stress. While others prefer to join yoga classes at gyms or fitness studios, some do it at home. It minimises additional expenses, time and energy spent going to and from the yoga studio. Some are also not comfortable being around too many people while getting into their desired mental zone.
Having a designated yoga spot at home can help you condition your mind that it is your safe space. It is your sacred zone where distractions are not allowed, and you can be fully at peace with the world.