Too tired to make it to class? Want to do Yoga without anyone else looking at you? In the silence and scent of your own home? It's much easier than it sounds, and builds the invaluable skill of creating peace anywhere. <3
1. Take at Least One Class First
If you're brand new to Yoga, your form needs to checked by a professional before you try and do the basic poses on your own. Tucking in your backbone or lifting your collar bone can make a huge difference in some poses. I can still hear my yoga teacher's voice correcting me from a class I took years ago! As you master those poses at home, you can take another class to double check newer, more difficult poses you've been trying out.
2. Figure Out What Poses You'll Do At Home
You can do poses you learned in a class, print out a routine for free from the internet, subscribe to a Youtube channel, or invest in a book, app or dvd. My favorite book is Slim Calm Sexy Yoga because of how clear the images are the plethora of short routines available. There are quite a few apps out there, and they are great b/c they have built-in timers and you can see the lit up screen in the dark. That's also a downside though because the bright screen can be jarring. I personally place a book right beneath my nightlight/wax melter and use a timer that makes a sound when it's time to change poses. It's easy to memorize a routine so I often just glance over if I happen to forget what's next.
3. Find a Space for Your Mat
Or buy a mat first if you don't have one yet! Your space can be anywhere- at the foot of your bed, in the back yard, or any seldom-used room if that exists where you live. You may have to find a spot that you have to clear out and refurnish afterwards. If you can't find one, you may have to make a deal with your family to create one. Especially if you're never home alone. More on this in the next step.
4. Reward Others for Giving You the Space You Need
Let's be real, no matter how nicely you ask you may end up bothered especially if you have kids. It'll have to be something along the lines of "If you you don't talk to Mommy until 6:30pm, she'll have more energy to play," or letting your partner know how much happier you'll be as a person if you had that time for yourself. But if none of this works, you'll have to wake up before everyone else. That's not so bad though b/c the world is so much quieter and still in the wee hours of the morning.
Also, make a plan to be around others with your improved demeanor and crediting your yoga. They'll appreciate it and want to reinforce the good habits you're building.
5. Set Up Your Ambiance
Sound: I like an internet radio with soothing sounds or something with more rhythm during more intense sessions. I usually play it from my phone or tablet. You can also invest in a small indoor fountain or us an app with customizable ambient sounds. My favorite is Sleep Pillow.
Lighting: Turn out the harsh overhead lighting and invest in a nice nightlight. It makes a HUGE difference in relaxing your muscles and how far you can go into a pose when the lighting is soothing.
Aromatics: This can be incense, candles or and air freshener. My favorite are the types you plug in that heat up scented wax blocks. My favorite is a night light wax melter in one like this one.
6. Schedule It Down to Timing Your Poses!
Whether it be early in the morning before other people wake up, or my favorite- right before bed, choose something you know you can stick to. For example don't plan to do it in the mornings if you're a chronic snooze-button abuser. Even 10 minutes a day can make life more peaceful and enjoyable than it is now.
Invest in an HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) Timer. No, not because your doing that type of training, but because it's perfect for yoga. I use the app Cayanax HIIT Timer. My warm-up is 1min, then I set 15 second and 1 min intervals for 20 rounds. I give myself 15 seconds to get into a new pose and then hold it for a minute. And the timer makes a sound every time so I don't have to look up or count, I can just relax. Since I don't have a teacher, this is vital to enforcing the discipline to hold my poses long enough and for even amounts of time. I get to focus on my breathing, relaxing and my form in the pose.
7. Get Dressed for the Occasion- Or Not!
This is the beauty of doing yoga at home. Along with zero commute or other people to deal with, I get to wear whatever I want. And that's usually pajamas. :D
8. Learn to Do Yoga Anywhere
It will happen naturally. Oftentimes at work I'll do a couple poses for my back in between clients. It can be while you're cooking, watching tv, listening to a audiobook, praying, meditating, on the phone, before you leave the restroom- the possibilities are endless! You'll find yourself feeling like a real yogi before you know it!
If this helped, please let me know in the comments below which step/s helped the most. And if you've ever done yoga in an unconventional place? Thanks and happy yoga-ing!
-Alex
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