Building a Home Practice


How to Build and start a Home Practice

A good foundation is the base for a well built house, building, apartment, store front, etc we all know that. A well built yoga practice also begins with a good foundation.

Building a home practice allows you to move at your own pace and get into your body and explore the many benefits of yoga. It is a way for you to find out more about yourself and your body.

My yoga journey began as a home practice. While yoga in a studio is a wonderful experience it can be intimidating – too fast passed, costly, too far away or have an inconvenient schedule.

A home practice is on your time, at your pace and in an environment you find comfortable.

As I mentioned my yoga practice began as a home practice. I was unsure of where to being. I first used books that I had found at the bookstore and a mat my mom had given me that she had received from a work contest. I then moved up to videos, dvds and then eventually moved on to YouTube videos until I found Adriene. I mentioned her in my last post. She is wonderful. I mean it, go check her out. She has a plethora of videos of all different kinds; yoga for fitness, yoga for healing, yoga for industry, etc. My favorites are of course the yoga for healing videos. They are more yin and restorative, which I find enjoyable. Ever since those years I spent in amateur bliss I have grown my home practice, see my post my yoga space.

How to create a home space
    These are tips I offer to you from me:
  • 1.      Create a Home Space – make a space for yourself, possibly one that you can dedicate to just yoga.
  • 2.      Get yourself a decent mat – this is your yoga home base
  • 3.      Schedule time for yourself – make it consistent, but make it work for you… don’t force it..
  • 4.      Planning - pick out which type of practice you want to do for the day before hand or in the moment… you decide
  • 5.      Perouse the internet to find what works best for you
  • 6.      Journal – take time to journal about your practice. This is your time to track how you are feeling.
  • 7.      Pick some music that suits your mood.

Your yoga space should be one that makes you happy, one that you feel comfortable in and one that has enough space for you to practice in. Fill it with things that make you happy. I have painting and quotes and plants and books and lamps and memorabilia. It is a space that I find joy and happiness in. This is how your space should make you feel as well. Make it big enough for you to practice yoga in.

Remember that a home practice is for you on your time. It doesn’t have to occupy your entire day or even most of your day. 15 – 20 minute practices are just as good as hour long classes. As long as you are taking time to practice you are on the right path. The more you practice the better you get. A home practice is a great way to remain consistent and to practice certain poses you may be working on or wish to work on. Make the time to practice when it best suits you and your life. Don’t force it.

Some YouTube yoga video channels that I follow:

Yoga with Adriene
Ekhart Yoga
Yoga by Candace
PsycheTruth

You can use any means to do a practice; books, dvds, videos. Or use what you know to create your own practice; pay attention in class to find your favorite poses. With more practice poses will begin to flow together naturally. You have the freedom to be creative when you create your own flow. One way to track your practice and your favorite poses is with a journal.

Having a journal nearby may be beneficial to add to an at home yoga practice. Journaling is also a good way to help you focus on yoga goals, personal goals, mantras, and whatever else you feel like tracking or writing down.  I often journal before I begin my practice and sometimes when I finish, doing this allows me to stay on the path that I have for myself. It is a way for me to release anything that I have been feeling, note anything that I am working on and how I feel before and after, and it is a way for me to express thoughts that I need to get out but don’t necessarily need to say out loud.
Picking some music that makes you feel good is a way to get even more in touch with your practice. Music is the gateway to our souls. Music can help us find a rhythm and move with that rhythm during your practice from pose to pose.

Recently I have joined an online yoga community. It has been a big help in keeping me on top of a regular practice and a great way to interact with like minded people. It is a place to share thoughts, goals, achievements, pictures, etc. Finding a place to interact with like minded people is a great way to build a balanced home practice.

A home practice ultimately allows you to get in touch with yourself. It allows you to get to know yourself through movement and breath. You move at your own pace allowing you to really listen and tune in to what is going on with you. By having an at home practice you can develop a greater consistency in your practice. By setting up space that is dedicated to your yoga you can achieve this. With all good things it will take time to feel comfortable in your practice but keep with it. You’ve got this!

Start, grow, and nurture a personal yoga practice.



Xo
Namaste my friends

Kelly

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