How to do yoga at home is one question asked by many, is it possible? Won't I need a yoga teacher? Won't I need yoga gear, a gym? And the right atmosphere? Yoga isn't any of these things. With the proper knowledge, dedication, and setup, you can easily practice yoga at home. Practicing yoga at home gives you an edge over learning yoga at a gym.
There are fewer distractions and no time limit. There is no need to race through your routines, which means a better meditative experience. Here are the best tips on how to do yoga at home.
- Create A Comfortable Exercise Space
Finding a suitable workspace to practice yoga in compact homes can be challenging but not impossible. Your yoga space should be large enough for a yoga mat, adequately ventilated, and clean since you will be on the floor most of the time. Areas like a study room with less furniture, your bedroom, or living room would be ideal. In most homes, there is adequate living room space in front of the television, where you could even watch yoga tutorials online. If you have space beneath a staircase and against a wall, that too would do. A wall is a handy prop during any stretching type of exercise. Moreover, choose a place that is quiet and where you won't be disturbed.
- Choose A Proper Time
The time of day to practice yoga is essential. Yoga is best done in the morning and on an empty stomach. A yoga routine in the morning will rejuvenate you and keep you energized throughout the day. However, take into consideration lifestyle constraints and housework to select a time most convenient for you. Doing yoga in the evening is also a good thing. It helps you de-stress yourself from the tension of the day and prepares you for a good night's sleep. Evening yoga is a great mind refresher and just as beneficial for bodily health.
- Select Only Necessary Yoga Equipment
Yoga isn't about wearing fancy clothing, bright-colored mats, candles, and incense. That is not yoga, that's drama instead. Where yoga is concerned, it is better to arm yourself with knowledge rather than gear for a fruitful yoga session. The bare essentials, such as a yoga mat, yoga shoes, and comfortable clothing, are enough to practice yoga at home. A timer is also advisable, including a strap and bolster for support.
- Choose Your Style of Yoga
Your choice of yoga should depend on what you need from yoga. Are you practicing yoga for physiological health, or are you looking for something therapeutic to ease your tension?
The remarkable fact about yoga is that it gives you a combination of both. Yoga isn't just physical. It exerts a pathological impact on your internal body; it improves your musculoskeletal and rejuvenates your mind. This is why it is essential to choose a style of yoga that is not too complex, especially if you are a beginner to the discipline. But, regardless of the style you choose, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the faster you learn, which works best for you.
Today, there are two dominant trends in yoga that are popular worldwide. Both are relatively easy to learn, depending on your flexibility: the Vinyasa flow and Ashtanga Yoga.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow Yoga
The Ashtanga Vinyasa flow combines two popular forms of yoga and blends them into one. It is yoga not simplified but made easier for any aspiring student. The combination of two styles into the Ashtanga Vinyasa flow gives you a complete holistic benefit of yoga.
Vinyasa flow, called power yogais an active style of yoga. It involves performing a series of continuous yoga poses with one flowing into the other. Vinyasa yoga reflects the temporary flow of life teaching us not to dwell on frivolities because life is ever-changing. It expands your mind to make you conscious of each moment of daily life and rise towards the permanency of a more sacred state of being. On the physiological front, Vinyasa flow improves balance, body strength, heart rate, and prevents motion injuries.
Ashtanga yoga is similar to Vinyasa flow but is a more precise form of yoga. It requires you to abide by the order of yoga poses, unlike Vinyasa flow, that allows a variation. According to Yogic philosophy, Ashtanga means eight-limbed yoga attributed to a yogic sage named Patanjali.Ashtanga yoga requires steadfast meditation and focus. It includes yoga asanas to channel your mind inward and discover your higher self. Like self-discovery and self-realization, Ashtanga Yoga seeks to achieve oneness with the universe.On the physical front, Ashtanga Yoga increases body strength, muscle tone, focus, and creativity. It improves cardiovascular health and reduces stress and anxiety. Most of all, it makes you a more disciplined human being.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga that is trending across the world. Anyone can learn or practice Hatha yoga because of its two distinct advantages. 1. It can be integrated into your own workout and aerobic routines as a purely physical element that enhances strength, flexibility and balance. 2. You can learn the complete physical, philosophical and spiritual elements of Hatha Yoga to prepare your mind and body for more advanced yoga.
In a nutshell, Hatha yoga channels your body energy through asanas or physical postures. This disciplines your body to create harmony and balance between your physical and mental faculties. You become one in mind, body and soul which is a fulfilling state of being that improves your quality of life. The pranayama or meditative postures of hatha yoga will improve your mental outlook in life making you more calm and composed.
- Start Small
When you've decided to do yoga at home, there is no need to rush it. You aren't paying by the hour or gym fees, so relax. Start with a few poses and just 5-10 minutes of yoga daily. As your body adapts to your yoga routine, increase the timing to a level required for a beneficial workout. Regularly practicing yoga at home will soon help you acquire a sense of tranquillity of inner peace. This will also impact you by creating a more positive attitude towards daily life. What you practice on the mat will manifest itself through your nature off it.
- Don't Forget to Warm-Up
Like any exercise, yoga requires body flexibility. Warming up with stretches is extremely important. Stretching oxygenates your muscles and body and improves circulation. It loosens up your muscles to meet the rigors of a workout and exercise. Stretches also help prevent injury through body tautness.
- Relax After Your Workout with Savasana
Like any workout, yoga too can sometimes stress your body out with the physical rigors of poses. Savasana is the relaxing technique essential after every yoga routine to calm your mind and body. Also known as the corpse pose, it can de-stress you from tension and relive headache and anxiety. Savasana is perfect to end a yoga session in the evening as it can help you sleep.
- Prevent injury
It does not pay to be over-enthusiastic and start yoga at home with complicated postures and poses. Moreover, you can only challenge your body to a certain point and no more. Understand your limits and be careful of the vulnerable areas like your neck and spine. Should you experience unusual pain while performing any pose, avoid it immediately. Learn to adjust your body to postures in ways that would be easier for you, never force your body to accomplish a pose.
Doing yoga at home is not as hard as it looks. It has its advantages and provides you a more gradual approach. Be consistent and remain focused; this will help you reap the maximum benefits of yoga at home.
Once you get the hang of it, you can also start teaching yoga and become a certified instructor. There are various yoga training schools that offer yoga teacher training courses in Goa.
Now make your passion your profession!
Do let me know if you have any queries in the comments below. I would love to be of any assistance!
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