How To Set Up A Home Yoga And Meditation Practice

*By Ildiko S*

As a yoga teacher, I love practicing in a studio and think it’s a great way to move in community with other yogis. I also really enjoy being led by other instructors who can teach me different styles and poses. But sometimes it’s difficult to get to a studio — either my schedule doesn’t align or I just don’t want to leave my place during bad weather. Having a home practice is great at times like these because it allows me to continue my routine and gives my body and mind what they really need. A home practice creates a space where I can listen to my own intuition and it gives me the freedom to explore movement with my breath.

So, how do you go about setting up your own home practice? I get this question all the time so I wanted share a few tips to help you get started…

How To Set Up A Home Yoga And Meditation Practice

1. Find A ‘Zen Space’

First, find an area in your home where you can have your practice – it’ll be your very own sanctuary. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. It can be as little or as big as you want it to be. The most important thing is that the space inspires you. Fill it with items that bring the feelings you want in — like plants, incense, cushions, artwork… make it your own! Over time, the area you’ve created starts to generate a sense of calm that you can continue to cultivate. Having a dedicated spot in your home is also a great physical reminder to make time for it every single time you pass it.

2. Get The Gear You Need

Now that you have the dedicated space, you’ll want to think about the items that can help support your practice. These props will enhance your experience by making you more comfortable and will help your body get into the different yoga poses. I’ve included some of my personal faves below …

Yoga Props

Props often get a bad rep because some people think they don’t need them if they’re an advanced practitioner. In my opinion, props not only help you ease into poses but can also help you stretch even deeper. If you haven’t played around with props yet, I highly encourage you to give them a try. Here are some I personally use:

• Yoga Strap – This is a really great tool to help extend your arms where you may not be able to reach (i.e. wrap behind your thigh in threading the needle) or to help your body go deeper in a pose (i.e. wrap on your ankle to help bring your leg up further in dancer’s pose).
• Bolster – This can be used in a more restorative or yin yoga session where you want your body to let go of any muscle control. You could consider using it under your knees in savasana or across your low back in a gentle backbend to help open your chest. There are so many options where this prop allows you to let go and surrender to the weight of your body. Total bliss!
• Eye Pillow – Placing this over your eyes during savasana helps to soothe your nervous system and trains your body to more easily come into a restful state. The Halfmoon pillow also has a lavender scented option which is perfect for relaxation! I love using this at the end of my practice during final savasana.
• Yoga Blocks – These are great when you need some assistance to get you into poses, whether it’s bringing the floor closer to you in a forward fold or when you want to deepen a seated forward fold and extend your arms beyond your legs.
• Yoga Mat – This is absolutely crucial! A mat with a strong grip will change your practice – trust me. When you’re in downward dog, you don’t want to be slipping and sliding all over the place. Make sure to shop around and get a mat that feels good for you. I love the B Mats and even though they’re a bit pricier, they have an unbelievable grip – if you know, you know…

Meditation Props

Similar to the yoga props, I swear by these meditation props:

• Meditation Cushion – This is so important for meditation. The cushion will elevate your hips to be above your knees so you can sit comfortably for an extended period of time. If you want the full experience, I personally really love this Halfmoon meditation set because it also includes a pad for your legs and feet to rest on. I highly recommend it!
• Incense or Palo Santo – These are great tools to use to clear your space before getting into your meditation. There are so many different scents to choose from so you can pick one that calls to you! Be sure to also open the windows so the smoke can clear out.
• Mala and Stone Bracelets – These are a great addition to help you focus on your intention. You can choose them to reflect the type of energy you want – whether it’s love, patience, grounding etc. Aura Stone Designs has some great options to explore. I personally wear mine both on and off the mat to take my intention with me wherever I go.

Comfortable Clothes

Last but certainly not least, it’s crucial to have clothes that you’re comfortable in. Yoga leggings, a sports bra and tank are ideal to allow you to move freely, stretch, bend and sit in comfort. Lolë has some great options and cool prints for yoga clothes.

3. Begin Your Practice

Now that you have your dedicated space and all of your props, it’s time to focus on your practice. First, set an intention based on how you are feeling. Start with the physical yoga asana. You can find some quality videos online to get you started in some basic yoga poses. When you feel you’re ready to further explore, move on to do your own thing, listen to your body and move with your breath. Most sequencing starts with a warm-up – and a few sun salutations are a great option to start. Next, move through some standing poses where you move from pose to pose (i.e. warrior poses are a great option here). You can think about working up towards a peak pose that you want to get to and that can add some interest for you. Think about what areas of the body you need to open up, stretch or strengthen in order to get to your peak pose. The last portion should be on the floor which is where you can start to wind down. Some spine strengthening and stretching on your back can feel really good. End with a few minutes of savasana.

To move into your meditation, start by lighting some incense or palo santo. Come to sitting on your meditation cushion with your spine long. Bring your hands on to your thighs with your pointer finger and thumbs touching. Close your eyes and tune into your breath. You may notice that there are a lot of thoughts that can come up – and that’s not a bad thing. Simply acknowledge them and let them pass. Meditation isn’t about getting rid of your thoughts – it’s about becoming more aware of them. You can stay here with your breath for as long as you like. In the beginning, try to start with a few minutes and over time, you can slowly increase the duration.

Try to incorporate your practice into your daily routine. Sometimes the trickiest part is making the time for it so even if it’s just for a few minutes a day, know that that’s a great start. Of course, always listen to your body and know that your practice can and will change day-by-day. Accept where you are each day, know that there’s no such thing as “perfection”, listen to your body and be playful. Always. Namaste!

A special thank you to Halfmoon, Lolë and Aura Stone Designs for the products! All reviews and opinions are entirely my own.