Yoga, from an outsider’s perspective, is intimidating.
And I get it.
Social media, magazines, and a large chunk of yogis – portray a persona of flexible, strong, outgoing, and willing to make crazy looking shapes with our bodies.
But in reality, this is only an act, it’s not the truth behind the yoga practice. The photos and people can’t translate the magic that’s unfolding, it can’t give or show the beautiful feeling that comes after a dedicated practice of movement. And it certainly can’t offer the state of peace that yoga brings to your life.
So please – don’t let the upside down yogis (like the picture below) of the world, intimidate you from starting a yoga practice. I BEG YOU!
This post will be simple and straightforward, with the ultimate goal of helping you to start a home yoga practice. While a yoga studio is an incredible place to start your yoga journey, it can sometimes be too fast paced, expensive, too far away, or not convenient with your current schedule.
This is why – a home yoga practice is SO IMPORTANT.
It’s on your time, in your home, in a comfortable environment.
Before we dive into the guide below, why should you even start yoga? What’s all the hype about?
(Throughout this article when I refer to "Yoga" for the most part I am referring to the Asanas or physical postures. There is much more to Yoga than simply the poses as you will learn)
Here’s Why:
§ Gain flexibility and mobility throughout the entire body.
§ Gain strength and tone your muscles – this is a byproduct of a committed practice.
§ Learn to breathe deeply, like for real breathe into your body (we rarely practice this on the day-to-day).
§ Learn to manage your stress levels.
§ Release tension – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
§ Create space within yourself to let go of the old & welcome in the new.
§ Create and nourish a self-loving relationship to help promote growth & change within your life and your relationships.
These are just a few of the MANY benefits that yoga will create when practiced consistently. I honestly can’t think of why the hell you wouldn’t start this practice.
So with that said, let’s dive into how you can become a moving and grooving yogi!
1. Create a Home Space
First and foremost, you must carve out a small space for your practice to take place.
This can literally be anywhere in your home – inside or outside, small or large, carpet or no carpet… just a space that’s large enough to hold you + your yoga mat.
And a yoga mat is about the size of beach towel, give or take, so I think we can all manage this.
2. Schedule Time with Yourself
In order to experience all of the benefits mentioned above, your yoga practice must be consistent. And please don’t confuse consistent with frequency.
Even if you step onto your mat once a week, that’s okay!
Of course, more magic will unfold the more you commit to the practice, but…. one day + 15 minutes of movement + connected, conscious breath = a yogi.
I recommend choosing two times that work best, based on your personal schedule.
For me – I can practice either early in the morning (rarely happens), after work (my best bet), or after dinner/before bed (rarely happens). My morning practice is a work in progress and something that I set an intention for each month – practice more yoga in the morning!
Does it always happen – hell no.
Can I keep setting the intention for it to happen – hell yes.
You do you yogis, figure out what work’s best for your schedule, and do just that (and please don’t get caught up if you miss your practice, there’s always another day)!
3. Prepare Ahead
This tip – prepare ahead – basically applies to anything in life if you want to be successful at it.
Food prepping, grocery shopping, writing blog posts, doing laundry, taxes, school work …. blah blah blah. While prepping and planning can be a real pain, it’s also the guaranteed method to achieving your intentions.
When it comes to your home yoga practice, here’s the deal:
§ Pick out your yoga outfit the day/night before, pack it in a bag (if heading to a studio), lay it out on your mat, or place it on your dresser.
§ Unroll your mat & let it serve as a reminder to step onto it.
§ Decide what type of yoga practice you want – strong & sweaty, restorative and relaxing, or basic yoga postures to build strength and flexibility. This can be decided beforehand or in the moment – you choose!
4. Choose a Practice Method
And lastly, decide how you’re going to start your yoga journey.
Luckily – the online community has fostered an incredible amount of tutorials and videos ranging from full classes to a breakdown of a single posture. And the best part – it’s either free or incredibly inexpensive!
Below are my favorite online yoga options:
YouTube Yoga Channels –
The below yogis are people I personally follow & dig. Please dabble in each teacher, research your own, and then find someone you feel comfortable with and are inspired by.
Monthly Paid Subscription –
I’m a huge fan of this option as a lot of online programs have access to EPIC yoga teachers from around the world. These online programs are usually $10 – $30 a month and provide unlimited access to yoga classes, yoga tutorials, yoga lectures, meditations, etc.
Below are my faves:
§ Yoga Vibes – my absolute favorite!
§ Yoga International – loads of amazing content.
§ oneOeight – created by the famous Yoga Girl (Rachel Brathen).
§ Grokker – an all-encompassing health & wellness platform.
Yoga Cards or Manuals –
If you like tangible items, like a book or cards, then below are great recommendations:
Friends – I hope this tutorial removed some of the intimidation or mysticism behind the yoga practice.
Please take the time to research all the helpful tutorials and yoga resources I linked to, they’re remarkable tools to help start, grow, and nurture a personal yoga practice.
