Practicing Yoga at Home – Safely

Doing Yoga at Home Safely

Starting your own home yoga practice can save you time, energy, and money.

It is easy to start a yoga practice at home, here are a few basics, and you don’t need much to begin with:

Practice Safely

When you are first starting yoga, begin slowly and only do what feels comfortable.  Know your body and listen to it!  Warm up and cool down with some stretches at the start and end of each routine.

Use reliable websites like Yoga Journal to learn more about each pose you see on the videos, and you will soon have a safe yoga routine to enjoy at home.

First, create a comfortable spot for your yoga practice

If you have an extra room or part of a large space that you can devote to your yoga, great!  Try and find a spot where it’s quiet, with as much available space around you as possible.  Having access to a wall can be handy as well, since you can use it in your yoga practice.

The first is a yoga routine you wish to try, such as a beginner’s DVD or yoga video you can stream on your computer.  Your next important pieces of equipment are comfortable clothes that are not too tight or too baggy, in order to avoid injury.

Choose a convenient time.

Have a specific exercise plan for what you intend to accomplish, and keep it simple.

Best to do your yoga practice on a relatively empty stomach.

Ground your energy by starting in a still position, physically and mentally.

Choose the style of Hatha yoga that suites you.

Ask yourself, “what does my body and mind need?”

It’s important to ‘begin with quiet’.  When you begin with stillness, you can see how your body and mind feel, and then then decide what you should do based on observing your body and mind.

Feel free to include a variety of yoga techniques

Some styles of yoga follow a set sequence of specific poses or sequences, but many instructors recommend a variety approach, especially when you’re doing yoga at home.

After learning and practicing the basics for a while feel free to become more creative and spontaneous.

If you take on your yoga practice with a sense of curiosity, and not in a frame of mind of  self-judgment or competitiveness, you will find it easier to become motivated to practice, and, very importantly, you will find yourself being more present when you do you yoga-at-home-practice

If you find your not comfortable doing a pose or aren’t sure of the alignment, skip it.  Figure it out when you have more time

10 Minute Yoga Flow Sequence Video

Yoga Mat

A good non-skid yoga mat will allow you to practice your yoga safely almost anywhere, such as a carpeted or wooden floor.  Choose a thicker mat if you have any joint issues or arthritis.  Be sure to place your mat on a level surface to avoid tripping or turning an ankle.

Hatha Yoga Props

Not every yoga pose requires you to turn into a pretzel, but there are a few yoga props that can support you in certain poses and deepen others.

These include:

Yoga Strap – A yoga strap can be looped around the soles of your feet to help you deepen your bends.  You can also support your leg during leg raises and grip the straps with both hands if you wish to do a stretch with your arms behind your back.

For More Yoga Straps Click Here

Yoga Blocks – Blocks offer support and stability and can be used with certain postures to make them either easier or more challenging.  Some people also use them to sit on for long periods of time when holding a pose.

For More Yoga Blocks Click Here

Bolster – A yoga bolster can be used to support the body in a number of ways, sitting or lying down, to help with form and comfort.  They come in a wide variety of styles for different purposes, such as supporting your legs or back.  They are ideal for making your Corpse pose more comfortable, as either a neck pillow or a support behind your knees.

Click Here To See Some Yoga Bolsters At Great Prices

Yoga Cushion – The most popular cushion is the classic Zafu or medication cushion that looks like a powder puff.  Others styles include a crescent-shaped cushion that supports the back and protects the knees.  Wedge-shaped cushion that you put under your butt are also good because they stop you from slouching during your seated yoga poses and meditation.

For More Yoga Cushions Click Here

Blanket – Some people like to cover themselves when they are doing the Corpse pose for deep relaxation.  Others use the blanket to practice on instead of a mat.

Blankets are a good idea for anyone who has musculo-skeletal issues, because cold muscles are more tense and therefore more prone to injury.  If you don’t use a blanket, put a tracksuit over your yoga clothes before going into Corpse pose.

For Yoga Blankets Click Here

Other Helpful Tools

A Metal Folding Chair – Chairs can be used for balance and certain poses.  The chair seat should be upholstered and the chair placed on your mat so you do not slip in any way.

A chair is also useful for those who can’t stand up for very long or who wish to try certain upright poses in a seated position without going down onto the floor.

Use The Walls – Use the walls to steady yourself in different poses, either standing or inverted poses such as shoulder stands.  For extra steadiness, use a corner of the room.

Remember that yoga does not only include doing Hatha yoga postures.  Your yoga routines should also make room for other techniques such as pranayama -breathing exercises, and meditation.

Yoga for Complete Beginners – Yoga Class 20 Minutes

Practice yoga regularly

Doing yoga only delivers its real benefits after much practice.  Set realistic goals, and do what you can, but be consistent.  A 10-minute a day yoga practice is still counts.  Smile while doing your practice. if you don’t enjoy your yoga exercises you will never keep it up.