What a traffic jam, I'm late for my yoga class again! I can't park! I forgot the mat! The class is crowded, I can't find a good place to put myself! Just today, another day without going to yoga class!
Surely some of these expressions are common to you. An activity as relaxing as yoga can unconsciously become a source of stress.
It is increasingly difficult for us to have enough time for ourselves, so it is important to optimize it and take advantage of every minute we have. An easy way to do this is to practice yoga at home.
What Are The Advantages Of Doing Yoga At Home?
Going to a yoga class has many advantages, mainly the availability of a teacher who observes and does the corrections when performing the asanas. But today, there are a multitude of books, videos, multimedia information that can help us correct and improve our practices.
Doing yoga at home has, without a doubt, many advantages. The most important ones are:
Being on time
Commuting consumes a significant amount of our daily time, so saving time travelling to a yoga studio can make a difference. Our agendas are increasingly full and finding time is sometimes an impossible mission. Practicing yoga at home allows us to be flexible with our schedules and adapt every day to the many unforeseen events that we have.
Energy
The stress of rushing to an appointment or last-minute changes in the schedule or any unexpected event, consumes a huge amount of our energy. It seems contradictory to get stressed to attend a yoga class, but it is very common nowadays.
Money
We cannot forget the economic part. Practicing yoga at home allows us to save the cost of classes, which never hurts.
What Do I Need To Start Doing Yoga At Home?
Another good reason to start practicing yoga at home is that you don't need much to get started.
a) Your space
Maybe it's the most important thing. Choose a space in your home to practice. It does not need to have a special feature, or you don’t have to decorate it in any particular way. The most important thing is that it should be a quiet space, spacious enough to perform the postures and that you can access it at any time.
b) Your time
It is important that you set a period in the day to practice yoga. This will help you to be consistent. The ideal time would be in the morning, before breakfast, but the good thing about doing yoga at home is that it is you who sets the schedule. The most important thing is that it adapts as well as possible to your lifestyle.
This will allow you to do your practices in a more relaxed way, and once you realize it, you will notice that it will not take any effort to comply with the schedule you have defined, it will become a habit. Although it is important to comply with this schedule, an advantage of practicing yoga at home is that you have the flexibility to advance or delay your yoga session if any unforeseen event arises.
c) Your routine
You have to prepare a yoga exercise routine. Find the type of yoga that best suits you. If you have experience, you can prepare your own routine, if not, do not worry, there are many books and tutorials that you can follow to practice it.
Don't get obsessed with trying to do difficult poses, start with the simplest. You can expand your practices as your skills improve. Don't forget that it's your practice, so build it to better meet your personal needs.
d) Your accessories
It is advisable to have a mat to perform yoga practices. There are countless types available in the market, with materials and prices for everyone’s tastes. You don't need something fancy, make sure it's comfortable enough for you and preferably not slippery.
Depending on the routine you have defined and your physical shape, it may also be advisable to have other accessories such as blocks or cushions, which will help you in certain asanas while improving your flexibility; tapes, for certain specific postures; etc . Check the accessories that are available and choose those that help you practice yoga more efficiently.
How To Stay Motivated Not To Stop Doing Yoga At Home?
Defining a yoga practice at home is only half the battle, now you have to spread the mat and get down to work. And like any activity you undertake in your life, consistency is essential to obtain the desired results. Therefore, it is important that you follow some guidelines to avoid throwing in the towel or not getting the most out of your yoga practices.
The most important thing is that your yoga exercises are a habit in your life. This will allow you to carry out your practices without any effort. Reserve that gap in your agenda every day and adapt your habits to it.
Modulate the time you spend in such a way that you can easily fulfill it. It is preferable to have a twenty-minute session every day, rather than a two-hour session a week.
As you progress, you may want to perform more advanced and "spectacular" yoga poses. Don't push your body to the limit. Don't try to do poses that are difficult for you. Your body will gain flexibility, so don't be in a hurry to move forward, let yourself relish the sensations of your body.
And above all, enjoy your yoga practice. As you progress with your yoga exercises, you will notice the benefits it brings to your body and mind. Feel it and enjoy. This is without a doubt the most rewarding. You will notice not only how your body gains flexibility and balance, but you will feel how your stress disappears and how your ability to concentrate increases. This will undoubtedly be the greatest incentive to not stop practicing yoga.
