Create a Home Yoga Studio

While there are pros to having a relationship with your local yoga studio—access to the instructors and a community of like-minded people—sometimes you just want to avoid the commute and membership fees and build a nice and cozy home studio. The space should reflect your taste and be a sanctuary for your soul where you feel connected with your higher self when you step in. Everything there should invite you to share in the peaceful vibrations.

Whether you want to create space for a group practice or fit it to be a 1-person yoga space, here are some ideas for you to consider.

Pick a Quiet Area

Pick a space that is quiet and free of distractions at any given time of the day. The designated place for yoga and other spiritual practices should be sacrosanct. This could be a spare room, corner of your living room or garage, or even outside in the backyard. It is said that the practice reveals its true gifts only when you practice with total honor and reverence. So, ensure this space invokes those qualities for the practice and your time there. It should be far removed from the restless pace of the rest of the house.

Give It Some Props

Invest in a good yoga mat and roll it out in the center of your space to ensure you can extend your limbs on either side without obstruction or feeling too closed up. Experts recommend you provide at least 21 inches around the yoga mat for each practitioner.

I love a good-looking, sturdy bright colored yoga mat that feels like an extension of my personality. Most importantly, pick a yoga mat with a decent grip and some cushion for comfort. You can also go for mat towels if you sweat a lot on your yoga mat. Mat towels absorb sweat and provide grip.

Invest in colorful foam or cork yoga blocks for fuller stretches and restorative yoga poses. The foam ones are light, in case you want to practice while traveling, and the cork ones are light but sturdy and environmentally friendly. Have some yoga straps on hand to deepen and perfect your postures and bolsters of multiple sizes to be comfortable in restorative poses.

And have a blanket handy for when you’re cooling down in Savasana after the practice.

Of course, you can also just bring yourself to the mat; no additional props required!

Set the Mood

Lighting is one of the most important factors to consider when designing your home yoga studio. Make sure it is soft, warm, and diffused to support your experience. You can use dimmable LED bulbs or add dimmer switches to your existing fixtures. You can avoid headaches and eye strain during practice by using soft lighting.

The position of your lighting sources is another crucial factor. Avoid mounting lights directly overhead or in your line of sight, which could result in excessive shadows and glare. To find the most calming and cozy lighting for your room, set your lights at eye level or lower and experiment with different angles.

Finally, think about setting up your studio to access natural light. Natural light is not only good for the environment, but it also improves mental and emotional well-being. Your yoga practice will benefit from the lovely, soothing natural light from large windows or skylights.

Add Artwork

Include beautiful art in your design that symbolizes the yoga philosophy and principles of harmony, balance, and serenity. Some nature-inspired themes to consider are landscapes, sunsets, and expansive views of oceans or water bodies. These can bring the mind inward in a state of expansion and calm it down. In addition, abstract art with calming hues and slender lines is also a wonderful choice. The secret is to select art that not only enhances the aesthetic experience but also serves to inspire your yoga practice. Images like yoga postures, mandalas, or spiritual symbols are some additional artwork options.

Plant More Than Just Your Feet

Adding plants can give your yoga room an ambient boost. Potted plants offer a variety of physical and mental benefits in addition to being visually soothing. However, a few considerations exist when selecting the ideal potted plants for your at-home yoga studio.

First, choose plants that are easy to care for and maintain. Some good options include spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants. These are low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions.

Because they eliminate pollutants and poisons from the air, plants can also enhance your general health and well-being. Golden pothos, Boston ferns, and bamboo palms are some of the top air-purifying plants. These plants improve air quality and provide your yoga room with a touch of greenery.

Plants also reduce stress, promote relaxation and calm, and boost mood. Some good options are lavender, jasmine, and aloe vera.

De-Clutter

Your physical environment influences your state of mind. Examine your surroundings on days when you feel the mind has too many confusing thoughts. You may find that the clutter around you has a say over clarity in your mind—or lack of it. Try to keep your yoga space clean and clutter-free.

Storing the props can be challenging, especially if you are short on space or want to keep them easily accessible. That’s where baskets come in. A great place to find them is your local thrift store! A basket made from bamboo, straw, or other natural fibers looks beautiful, is environmentally friendly, and allows air inside, preventing mold and mildew from forming on your mats and bolsters.

Keep these tips in mind when you’re creating your space. They can enhance the look and feel of your home yoga studio while maintaining its zen, allowing you to go deeper in your self-discovery quest. And when you have a space you want to go to, you won’t have to force yourself to go there every day!