If you want to know how to get started with yoga at home, here are some tips to help you create the consistency you crave. You may have tried before and fallen out of your routine, or you may never have practiced yoga at home. Wherever you are coming from, these tips are going to help you get back onto your mat or get started right away.
I love the flexibility of my own home practice. I can practice when I want, how I want and for how long I want. It has taken time, patience, and discipline to create my daily yoga at-home practice, but the benefits it has brought to my life have been so worth it. All of these tips are from my own personal experience. They show you how to get started with yoga at home today. I really hope they are going to help you find joy and success on your own yoga journey.
10 Tips on how to get started with yoga at home
You really don’t need very much to get started with yoga at home. You don’t even have to have a yoga mat, you can improvise with a towel or folded blanket whilst you try it out.
1. Finding a Space
Creating an inviting space for your yoga practice will help get you to your mat daily. This doesn’t have to be a dedicated space, just the same spot that you can use each time you practice will help to create consistency. Make sure you have as much space around you as you manage. Can you fully stretch all of your limbs out around you? Do you have a clear wall nearby to assist with standing poses? Do you need to clear any potential obstacles out of the way? I love to have houseplants in my yoga space and keep a pillow and blanket nearby for added comfort.
2. What to Wear
Wear something comfortable. You don’t have to invest in fancy yoga clothes, just wear something comfortable that is not going to restrict your movement or make you to hot or cold (I am a big fan of doing yoga in my pajamas). You can practice in bare feet or wear socks with grips to prevent any injuries from slipping over. Remember to remove any loose hanging jewelry.
3. Be Realistic
Set realistic expectations. Don’t expect to be doing advanced poses or spending 3 hours on your mat every day in your first week. Take your time to build up your practice and to build in new poses. Start with just a few minutes each day and stick with beginner poses and slowly build your confidence as you go. I started out using 10 Minute Beginner Yoga videos over on YouTube (and now I create my own) you don’t have to spend money on expensive apps or online classes.
4. Regular Time Slot
Try and find a time that suits each day you want to practice and stick to that same time. This will help to build it into your other regular routines. I love to practice shortly after waking up. I find that this really clears both my body and mind for the day ahead. Taking a mid-day yoga break or practicing before bed are also good options. Finding a time that suits you and one that you can stick to most days is really important.
5. Silence
Begin each practice with a minute or two of silence. Take your time to arrive in your practice and become fully present on your mat. Take note of your breath, how your body is feeling and what your energy levels are. Some days I will set an intention as well or decide on an affirmation to give my practice a clear focus.
Practice and all is coming.
Ashtanga Guru Pattabhi Jois
6. Listen
Listen to your body. You are your own best guide. Following along with an online yoga class or YouTube video at home is a great way to get started, but don’t feel that you have to do every move that you see on the screen. Take care to listen to the cues of your own body. If something doesn’t feel right, then carefully back out and modify or take a break.
Yoga teaches you how to listen to your body.
Mariel Hemingway
7. Don’t Rush
Take your time. If you are just starting out or coming back after a break, take care to make sure you move into the poses in a safe way. Pause the video or skip back if you want to see a move again or hear the instructions as many times as you need to. You are in control of the pace of your practice. The more you practice, the more familiar the poses will become. There is no rush to the finish line in yoga.
8. Savasana is the most important part of your practice
Don’t skip Savasana. It can be tempting to follow along with an online class, and then when it gets to relaxation at the end, you decide to finish early and rush to check your emails. Savasana is the most important pose in any yoga practice, even a short practice. This is when your body is going to absorb all of the good work that you have just done. I must admit I was guilty of this in my early days of practice, but now it is one of my favorite poses. On days when I feel fatigued, just spending 10 mins in Savasana is enough to give me the benefits I need that day.
Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.
The Bhagavad Gita
9. Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice not perfect. It’s called a yoga practice for a reason. Getting better at yoga and creating regular yoga at home takes practice and dedication. You don’t expect to learn the piano after a couple of sessions. You have to put the time in to reap the rewards. This can be as little as 10 minutes a day to get you started.
10. Find the Joy
Enjoy yourself. Take your time to find a yoga style that you enjoy doing. Don’t get stuck on the idea of doing a certain type of yoga. Try different styles out and see which one you get the most out of.
Benefits of doing Yoga at Home
- You can practice in a place and at a time that suits you without the hassle of having to travel anywhere.
- You can adapt your style of yoga practice to how you are feeling that day or where you are in your Menstrual Cycle if you have one.
- You can move through practice at your own pace and on your own terms.
- You can practice on your own or invite friends over to join you.
- You can access free YouTube videos making it a really affordable way to start.
- You won’t get distracted by what others are doing on their mat, you only have yourself to focus on.
- The discipline and self-confidence that comes from a regular yoga at home practice will transfer into other areas of your life as well.
- And my personal favorite, you can wear what you like. Does anybody else love to do yoga in their pajamas?
Getting started with yoga at home practice is easy when you take time to break it down and practice self-compassion and kindness towards yourself. Don’t get stressed about what you think you should be doing. Take your time to set up your space, carve out the practice you need, find a time that suits you, and most importantly, enjoy your practice and start reaping the many benefits of practicing yoga at home today.
I hope that this article has shown you how to get started with yoga at home with ease. I’d love to hear you get along with them.