The benefits of a home practice
A home practice can be a fantastic way to build and sustain your yoga practice. Whilst there is a real importance of going to a yoga studio and being supported by a teacher in a physical space, family commitments, work and finances can prevent us from being able to get to classes as regularly as we like.
By starting a home practice, you can do yoga times throughout the week. It might be 10 minutes in the morning or before bed, or maybe a short flow during your lunch break if you work from home to start with. I find that adding these small snippets of practice each day can be really beneficial to support your growth and can add real value to your day. You know that feeling after you’ve done a yoga class and you feel like you are floating on clouds? Imagine if you could get that at home!
Having a more regular practice means your nervous system will be able to better regulate itself, which in turn means you’ll be in a more grounded and open hearted place during the rest of your day - meaning interactions with those you live with will be better too!
‘But I don’t have any space!’ I hear you cry. Well, the only space you need is the length and width of a yoga mat really, so get creative - by the bed, in the spare room or living room or out in the garden will do fine. The space doesn’t have to be perfect. And whilst its lovely to be able to go into a quiet and spacious room with no clutter, I’d say from personal experience that practising yoga in less than perfect settings is a great way to get more resilient as a student. Which of course in turns helps us be more resilient in life.
What do you need for your set up?
Whilst the basic thing you want for your set up is a yoga mat, here is a list of things which might benefit your home practice and some creative ideas for if you don’t have them
A yoga mat (a towel is an OK alternative to start)
Blocks/bricks (hardback books are a great substitute)
A bolster (get 3-4 pillows together to use instead)
A strap (a dressing gown cord or resistance band works great)
A blanket (steal one you have lying around the house!)
An eye pillow (use anything to cover your eyes like socks or your jumper)
Follow a video or do your own thing?
This is the beauty of a home practice - its up to you what you do! Fancy being a bit creative or want to work on a specific pose? Do that. Fancy doing a video with a teacher instructing? Do that. There are so many options. If you choose to do a video with a teacher and you are in a financial position to pay, its always good to choose to support a yoga teacher you know rather than find free classes on YouTube. Plenty of yoga teachers offer on-demand classes now and its important we support our favourite teachers!
Good luck with your home practice!