Health and happiness tend to be top of mind for most of us these days, especially after the last few years involving a global pandemic and so many political, financial, and social issues on the forefront.
While you might currently head to a gym or yoga studio when you can to get rid of some of your stress, improve your mood, and work on your body, it’s nice to have facilities available at home. You might be interested in designing a yoga space for your property so you can stretch out the physical and mental kinks whenever you have a few spare minutes. Here are some factors to consider to help you create an area you love and want to use regularly.
Pick a Spot to Stretch Distraction-Free
Choose the right area to set up as your dedicated yoga space. Try to find somewhere that will make it easy for you to stretch and clear your mind without distractions. For instance, steer clear of the spots like the kitchen and living room, spaces close to your children’s bedrooms, your office, and the like.
If possible, see if you can allocate a particular room or space to your yoga, such as a separate studio, part of the garage, an attic, basement, or even an oversized walked-in closet if need be. If you have to share your yoga area with others in your household, at least see if you can section your space off with a divider of some type, such as a sliding partition, curtain, or large bookshelf.
Also, check that wherever you set aside as your spot for yoga has enough room for you to stretch out and do all the exercises you want to without hitting the wall, ceiling, furniture, etc. Typically, if you have around 21 square feet to play with, this should be enough.
Get Rid of Clutter in Your Yoga Space
Yoga is about switching off, breathing deeply, and focusing on the body’s movement rather than being preoccupied with other thoughts. As such, if you want to capitalize on all of your yoga practice, you need to get rid of clutter in the area that could distract you and keep you from getting all the benefits of the activity.
You don’t want to look at a pile of ironing or clothes that need folding or washing, for instance, or piles of paperwork or work files as you stretch, so keep your yoga space for yoga only. Clear out the clutter and then bring in some things that will make the area look and feel more peaceful, too, such as inspirational posters, soothing art, candles or an oil diffuser, and some greenery.
Having plants in the room will improve air quality and help soothe your spirit at the same time by bringing some nature indoors. Also, keep the color palette in your yoga studio neutral and calming. You don’t want any shades that are too stimulating to be around when trying to relax and let go.
Consider Light and Temperature
For a peaceful yoga practice, you also want the room to be effectively set up regarding light and temperature. For example, see if you can choose somewhere to do yoga that has decent natural light already. If not, you might want to install a skylight or put in a new or larger window to let more light in. Keep some curtains or blinds open while you stretch, too. Natural light is more comforting for the mind and body than artificial light and will help you switch off from other thoughts more quickly.
You should also practice in a spot that’s comfortable temperature-wise. It pays to have ceiling fans in the room for the warmer months of the year or even reverse-cycle air conditioning or other HVAC options to give you air-con in summer so you don’t sweat too much and heating in winter so you don’t get too cold. It’s essential to be warm enough when you stretch so you don’t pull a muscle.
If you’re keen to try Bikram yoga at home and thus need to heat the room considerably, a heater can help. Make sure you use a quality non-slip yoga mat since you’ll be sweating, and keep your fluid intake up to avoid dehydration.
Purchase Props for Your Practice
a yoga space isn’t finished until it’s kitted out with the props you need to complete various exercises. Apart from a mat, you may want to invest in a yoga block and strap, a blanket to put over you during your meditation time, and a bolster. You may want to buy some yoga books to have on hand if you need ideas on stretches or tips on how to do them correctly. A Bluetooth speaker that you can set up to play calming music as you stretch and breathe is beneficial, too.
Thankfully, yoga isn’t an exercise that requires a huge investment of square footage or money to enjoy, so people with all budgets and homes can create their own sacred space to practice in.
