My students frequently ask me ‘how often should I do a home yoga practice at home in between classes’?
The answer to this is it depends on how your schedule allows you time to go into a deep practice or a just a light practice of simple mindfulness throughout your day. Yoga is not just a ‘physical practice’ (as many westerners assume) but also a mental and spiritual practice thats helps us connect to our inner self, slow down and calm our minds. In turn, your yoga practice can help maintain an overall sense of well being. This post will discuss the difference between deep and light home yoga practice, setting up a home routine for individual needs.
A Deep Yoga Practice
A deep home yoga practice allows you time to explore various yoga poses (asana) to bring your body into balance along with breathing exercises (pranayama), a resting pose (savasana) and a quiet sitting pose (meditation). A deeper practice should allow you the time to explore what is going on in your mind and body by connecting the two through your breath, followed by the meditation to connect to your ‘inner self’ or ‘something higher’ whatever this may be for you.
A Light Yoga Practice
A lighter home yoga practice can be a version of the above on a time limit or even practiced at your desk or waiting in line at the deli counter. Just simply focusing on your breath or being mindful of the chatter in your head can be yoga. Use whatever yoga ‘tool’ it takes for you to reconnect with yourself.
Overall, it is important to balance your discipline somewhere in between ‘ease and effort’ and to not get discouraged, but do what you can to bring balance into your day and life.
Setting Up a Home Yoga Practice Routine
Now that we understand what we can do within our varied schedules, lets take a look at how I would set up a home practice routine when I have the time available to be with myself.
Set aside a clean and special space (reserving judgement on how it should look) and limit any distractions by turning off your phone and letting your home companions know you need an ‘x’ amount of time alone (pets optional:). Set the mood by maybe lighting candles, playing relaxing music or burning some natural essential oils or incense.
Also, gather blocks, props, blankets, journal or yoga books (so you do not have to get up).
Set aside whatever time you can commit five minutes to ninety minutes to dedicate to yourself; stretching, practicing yoga poses, breathing, and/or meditation. Even focusing on three breaths to quiet your mind can be considered yoga/meditation. After all, Yoga is meditation.
Decide what it is you need; a calming restorative or more challenging practice or something between both. Even if you just have five minutes, that’s enough time to practice any of the following;
- Putting your legs up the wall and practicing breath work,
- Strengthening your core,
- Stretching your hips,
- Stretching your hamstrings, or
- Just sitting and breathing.
Keep it interesting like this and you’ll be amazed at the difference this will make in your day, your mood and relationships.
