As yoga studios and gyms have been closed for the majority of this year, many of us have had to practice more, maybe exclusively, at home. Perhaps you are one of the lucky ones and have a dedicated yoga room, but for many of us (myself included), living rooms and bedrooms have been doubling up as home yoga spaces. A dedicated space or not, the reality is that your home yoga space won’t be a complete replication for the ‘in-studio’ experience. You will not be in a public room with a group of people, there will be no physical adjustments from the teacher and no post-class rituals of group coffees.

Practicing at home is different to practicing in studio but if you can acknowledge that and let go of comparison then your home practice could be one that is enjoyable and could continue alongside your in-studio practice, once studios reopen.

To support you in creating an at home yoga space, I’ve compiled a few ideas for how to make it a little more inviting and more comfortable.

Space – Try to choose somewhere where you are free to move without bumping into furniture or if you need to move furniture, can it be done so easily? You don’t want to have to completely upturn your house every time you want to roll out your mat! At the same time as considering furniture, be mindful of unnecessary distractions within the room. Clear away any clutter from this area – less mess, more focus.

Light – Try to find a space where you are near a window so you can enjoy some natural light which is great for setting a calm and peaceful mindset. If you don’t have access to a room with a window, perhaps you can set up a lamp or find another way to create some soft lighting, perhaps with candles.

Scent – I like to light a scented candle or turn on my air diffuser just a few mins before I start my practice and I tend to choose a scent depending on the time of day and what I need from my practice. Mandarin or bergamot essential oils are invigorating scents and can support a morning practice whereas a scent like lavender is relaxing and great for an evening, more restorative practice.

Props – Practicing at home is a great opportunity to get to know your body better and explore the use of props. A chunky book can double as a yoga block, two bed pillows tied together with a dressing gown cord can become a bolster and of course a cosy layer for savasana is always great to have on hand.

Temperature – Again if you’re able to practice near a window this would allow you better ventilation – great if you’re practicing a sweaty, dynamic class. Equally, your body temperature will drop in a yin or restorative practice, and, of course, in savasana, so make sure you have a cosy layer, like a jumper or blanket to hand.

Personal Touches – You might want to add in your favourite print or artwork into the room to add a focal point to the room. You could also add some greenery. Indoor plants not only add a bit of colour, but they will also help purify the air.

I hope these tips have been helpful and you can see your home practice as a different but equally beneficial practice to your in-studio experience.

Louise is a yoga teacher and an experienced brand manager and creative producer. She has more than 10 years of experience working both in-house for lululemon and Red Bull as well as agency side for Apple, to name a few.  She is a certified vinyasa yoga teacher, teaching public and private classes (currently online) and also collaborates and consults wellbeing and lifestyle brands. Louise also writes a weekly email called ‘Purpose Break’ where she offers ideas for how to spend a break that’s more than just a caffeine hit. To keep up with what Louise is up to, follow her on Instagram or check out her website.