There’s just something about the calming influence of a yoga studio that helps us unwind from our busy lives - if only for a short time. However, if you love the struggle to find time to attend classes or prefer to practice in the comfort of your home, then you might have thought about setting up your touch of zen at home.
There’s nothing better than having a dedicated space to escape to when you need to reconnect with yourself and find some inner peace. Aim for simplicity, harmony and balance to create a deeper level of calm. Here are five essentials you’ll need to bring calm into your space.
5 Essentials to Create a Zen Yoga Space at Home
Do you long for a yoga space at home, but don't know how to make it happen? Creating a Zen yoga space is easy and can be done on a budget. Here are some tips to get started.
Declutter
Less is more. It’s little surprise that clutter is stressful for our minds. Choose a space in your home where you can simplify the furniture, clear out the mess, and create a calm environment. A blank canvas will help you focus without distractions. Even if you don’t have an entire room free for your yoga ‘studio’, section off part of a room to give yourself a dedicated space; just try not to use an area you associate with things like work!
Fill it with the tools you need to serve your yoga practice and nothing extraneous. If you practice yoga in your bedroom, keep the furniture minimal. Sparse furniture, purposefully chosen – such as a chest or cupboard to store your gear – will create a relaxing atmosphere.
Furnish and Decorate Intentionally
Choose hard and soft furnishings that are warm and inviting. Design your space to express your own sense of peace and balance, rather than to impress other people. If it helps, set up a mirror or choose posters that help you achieve zen.
Find a comfortable yoga mat that offers support and good grip, so you’re not slipping around on your floor or carpet. Pick one that makes you happy in form and function – consider whether it offers good cushioning, complements your room's colors and brings you a sense of calm. You may wish to have a comfortable floor cushion or blanket available for meditation.
Other tools that might be helpful are yoga blocks, straps, and a journal for reflection. Ensure you have everything close to hand to minimize distractions – there’s nothing worse than losing your flow because you have to hunt for something to help you achieve a pose.
Create Your Own Sea of Tranquillity
Avoid stimulating bright lights and set the mood by installing a dimmer, or using low-wattage lamps or candles. Reading lights create a calmer space than your standard bedside table light. Just as bright lights energize, so do bright colors. Choose colors found in nature to create a serene, balanced space.
Harness the healing power of aromatherapy by using an incense burner or oil diffuser to enhance your senses. Lavender is the perfect choice for yoga, especially close to bedtime, as it calms the nervous system. You can also choose a blend designed to promote tranquillity. Crystals are another powerful option for creating zen.
Make Your Space Green – The Natural Way
Decorating with plants might be a fad at the moment, but it's one you should definitely embrace in your yoga space. Houseplants increase the air quality in your home, and help combat stress and improve your wellbeing. Golden Pothos (otherwise known as devil’s ivy), Boston ferns and spider plants are all proven to reduce pollutants in the air – but make sure you keep devil’s ivy out of reach of any pets.
If your home is surrounded by trees or plants, try placing your yoga mat in front of a window or door to further connect with nature. Natural light will help release serotonin so you feel happy and relaxed.
Find the Perfect Playlist
We’re lucky these days that apps like Spotify give us access to cleverly curated playlists of soft, calming music that’s perfect for focusing during yoga. Playing music can be especially useful if you have noisy neighbors or are trying to drown out street noise. Use a Bluetooth speaker to send calming waves of music through your yoga space and help you find your inner zen.
Whether you prefer the sound of low music, rainfall, waves or birdsong, make the playlist something you only listen to when doing yoga. If you want to really focus without distraction, slip on a pair of headphones to block out the rest of the world while you concentrate on finding your zen.
Relax and Focus
Keeping a yoga space set up 24/7 will allow you to practice whenever it suits, rather than wasting time rearranging furniture or tidying up. This will help you commit to mindful practice and intentionally make space for it in your life.
Ideally, if you live with others, pick a room where you can shut the door and practice with no interruptions. Otherwise, send your family out on ‘very important errands’, or choose a time your housemates won’t be home.
However you decide to decorate your yoga space, it’s essential to have something that speaks to you and helps you relax and focus. Turn off the TV, set your devices to ‘do not disturb’ and make time for you. You deserve it.
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