Do you want to know how to start a home yoga practice but don’t know where to start?
Here are a few tips you can put into practice to begin a consistent practice.
1 | Find (or create) a space.
Find a space in your home that is quite and allows you to feel relaxed. Ideally it would have to be big enough to move freely and away from other members of the family. Keep returning to the same space, so that you get used to it and, overtime, your brain will know that this is your yoga space, and your nervous system will switch to a rest and digest (parasympatetic) response.
Extra tip: if you do not need this space during the day, keep your mat rolled out! You will feel more inclined to practice, even if you don’t feel like it.
2 | Start Simple!
We do not need our practice to be fancy or super long in order to be effective. All we need is a sustainable routine that helps us feel good. I am an advocate for simplicity. I believe a yoga practice should be aimed at feeling good rather than aesthetics. Moreover, we should adapt our practice to our body, and not viceversa. So simplify! If you already practice yoga, what are the postures that consistently make you feel good? Practice those!
If you do not practice yet, number 3 and 4 are for you.
3 | Find a style you enjoy.
If you want to start a consistent home yoga practice you need to find a style that you enjoy! So try the ones that call to you and see what resonates with you. For example, I have a very consistent Yin Yoga practice because a love it and it is so beneficial for my body as well as my mind and soul. I also have a consistent Hatha Flow practice, with strengthening elements, because it helps maintain strength in my back.
So understand the things you want to work on and find the styles that suit those needs. If you are stressed, try Yin Yoga or Restorative. If you have certain pains you want to ease, find a therapeutic style of Yin or Hatha that work for that specific need.
4 | Find a sequence (sequences) that works well for you.
You can start with a 2-posture sequence, it does not have to be a long practice. Actually, I believe that a shorter but consistent practice is much more beneficial than a long practice only once a week. You can find many FREE practices on my Youtube Channel. Consider the amount of time you have available and the style you have decided to go for. In addition, consider the time of the day; if you want to practice in the morning, you might want to start the day with a more dynamic practice. In the evening, you might want to wind down with some Yin Yoga. However, there are no set rules, I love some Yin Yoga first things in the morning before my meditation!
5 | Take yoga with you through the day (yoga off the mat!)
You might not have the time for a practice on the mat every day. However, you can always find the time to focus on the breath for a minute at work or 5 minutes to meditate. You can alway remind yourself to be present, while you sip your coffee in the morning, to be kind when you talk to other and also to yourself, to be truthful and to generally live a life that is in line with the yogic tradition.
I hope these tips helped you.
Lots of love,
Bea
Feeling stressed?
Check out this blog post: https://www.beayogawellbeing.com/yoga-nidra-for-pain-stress/
