Setting up a home practice
I think we can all agree that a home yoga studio just isn’t the same as being at Emerald Yoga Studio; we miss our yoga pals, the peaceful and encouraging atmosphere, the time away from the responsibilities of home. But for a few weeks, at least, a home practice is what we’ve got, so let’s set up our personal yoga spaces and try to create some joy from it!
The best part of setting up your space is that you can make it uniquely YOU.
I’ve been teaching yoga for more than 10 years but I’ve been practicing yoga as a student for more than twice that, and I’ve set up practice spaces in very small apartments, so I assure you it’s doable no matter how much space you think you don’t have.
Let’s begin!
Find a space in your home. If you live alone, this may be a little easier—though if you live alone, you might live in a smaller space and you could even be more limited than someone in a large home with four other people. But you know from crowded classes at Emerald that the only space you really need is the space your mat can fit in. Walk from room to room and look for a spot. Drop your mat in a few places and stand on it to see how you feel. I prefer a room with windows so I can get some natural light in and connect my practice to the outside world, but I also have a nice-sized basement now and if anything helps me feel grounded, it’s pressing into my feet on the basement floor. Once you’re on your mat, see how much space you have. If you can’t sweep your arms out to the sides because you’re too close to a wall or a tall piece of furniture, no worries; you can always modify to sweeping your arms in front of you (again, like we do in crowded classes!). Get in a downward-facing dog and lift a leg carefully and make sure you don’t hit a wall or a low ceiling. Then just sit in the middle of your mat and close your eyes and see how the space makes you FEEL. Sometimes it’s an ideal space in terms of practice area but for some reason the energy doesn’t feel like it’s flowing right. It’s really important you feel like you can breathe on your mat. If you’re too close to your kids’ room and all you hear is video games, or you’re too close to the full sink and all you can think about on your mat is how you should do the dishes, it’s not good energy. Find another space. 😊
A word about mats and flooring: Obviously a yoga mat is best. But if you usually borrow a studio mat or you don’t have yours at home for whatever reason, it’s okay. You can go mat-free for the most part on a thin-pile carpet. Or you can go for a hardwood floor if you have those socks with the grippy dots on the bottom. If you feel yourself slipping in any pose (downward-facing dog is the biggest culprit), modify. (You can modify down dog with table instead, or dolphin.) Just be careful, is all. Practice in BARE feet. I can’t stress this enough. The only exception is those grippy socks if you’re on a floor without a mat.
Get yourself some props. Most of us don’t have official yoga props. I have seen some students come to class with their own straps and blocks and frankly, that’s very impressive. I don’t have one yoga block at home, or is there a strap anywhere to be found, so I’m Improvisation City when it comes to this. For blocks: a couple of nice big, thick, sturdy books will do the trick. Suggestions: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. A Game of Thrones in hardcover. One of those encyclopedias you couldn’t unload at your last yard sale (try a really good letter, like S). For a strap: I like using a knee sock. It’s long enough and it has a little stretchy resistance too, which I like. Other suggestions: a belt (those canvas ones with the D rings are literally what yoga straps are but a leather one will do in a pinch). The ugliest, most out-of-date tie from your or your husband’s closet. For blankets: Um, just get a blanket. Not a humongous one; just a lightweight throw blanket that no one will miss.
Have a space to prop your laptop. If you’re following along with Emerald’s live classes, you’ll want the laptop where you can see it clearly as you move. Extra bonus points if it’s near an outlet and you can leave it plugged in while you practice. Nothing will be more discouraging to have the power crap out mid-Warrior 2.
Create a do-not-disturb system with your family/roommates. A closed door, a sign, whatever you need to do to make sure you have your time. Remind them that if you get this time to yourself, you can be more fully present with them the rest of the day. It’s also a great idea to have them join you in practice! Though I do suggest at least one practice a week by yourself so you can recharge.
Make your practice space sacred. You can add little things to your practice space to make it uniquely inspirational to you! My fave things I’ve had in my home yoga spaces over the years include: a book of daily yoga affirmations (usually I just flip through to see what resonates today), some crystals, a mandala coloring book and markers, a cute little stuffed animal or two, some mala beads, a cushion to meditate on (this doesn’t have to be some fancy circular buckwheat pillow from Tibet; an old cushion from a throwaway loveseat is fine, or an accent pillow from the living room, or an old folded-up sweatshirt). Sometimes I add things to my space that people have given me that I treasure—my space has things I’ve gotten from Landen, from students, from my mother, and things I’ve picked up on my travels with Teddy. Choose things that are small but make you smile. Maybe you even want to go with a color theme for your space: red for grounding, blue for peacefulness, orange for energetic movement, purple for creativity of movement. Or green—if you miss Emerald. 😊
I’m trying to see these changes to my current practice and teaching as an adventure in adaptability (second chakra, anyone?). It’s an opportunity! See how your poses change. Explore through each movement in a new space. Enjoy until we all see each other live again!