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  • Home
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    • My Yoga Journey
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How to create space for yoga at home

March 27, 2020 //  by Di Hickman//  26 Comments

I love to teach yoga. While it’s sometimes a challenge I also try and get to one yoga class a week for my practice. However, if that fails, I also do Yoga at home. I remember as a girl getting a book about yoga from the library. Standing in my bedroom and doing the poses. And that was the beginning of my home yoga practice.

Take your yoga to the next level by beggining to practice yoga at home. But where do you start? Do you have enough space? If a mat fits you have space!

My bedroom wasn’t large by any means, especially with the furniture in it. But I made it work. Heck, I didn’t even own a yoga mat at the time I just practice on the carpet. Fast forward thirty years and here I am with a whole career based around yoga and wellness.

The video above shows how much space you really need to do yoga at home. Plus tips and tricks to “make it work” . You can also click through to watch the video on my YouTube channel. Most importantly, don’t forget to leave me a comment, like and subscribe!

Why practice yoga at home?

Creating a home practice is a way to stay connected to your practice. Going to a yoga class is great. However, one class a week and expecting results, is like being on a diet only on Tuesdays and expecting to lose weight. Our practice extends beyond the studio, beyond the gym and beyond the mat!

yoga at home

Personally, nothing can beat rolling out of bed, walking across the hallway and stumbling onto your mat for an early morning yoga practice. Or having the opportunity to do some yoga after a long gardening session.

How much space do I need?

A good rule of thumb is: if your yoga mat fits you have space. Heck even if you mat doesn’t fit, you may still have space! Most yoga mats are approximately 2′ wide by 6′ long. Not a ton of space needed really.

yoga at home

I’ve practiced yoga at home in my living room, spare room, garden and kitchen. I’ve also practiced on vacation in hotel rooms. It’s sometimes a challenge to find the space but nobody said this was easy!

Top tip: you can put your yoga mat UNDERNEATH your living room rug. Not only will it help your rug stay in place, but you can do yoga by just throwing off your rug and stepping onto your mat! Living room, and yoga space all in one.

Creating space for yoga at home?

Finding floor space for yoga at home can be a struggle. But the real tricky part is can you find space for your mat AND have room to move your arms? In my yoga space I have plenty of room. Until I want to film a video and have to move my mat to the corner. Then I am restricted by walls/doors. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t practice. Only that I have to be mindful of my space.

yoga at home


The real questions is do you have somewhere you can practice undisturbed? I’m so happy that I now have somewhere with a door to shut myself away! Too often in my practice, I end up with a dog on my mat. And now of the downward or upward kind! I’ll be sharing more of my yoga room remodel soon.

Finding time

Space isn’t always physical. Practicing yoga at home can be a challenge if you have children, pets, or other family members. People at things that want your attention can disturb your practice.

yoga at home

Shut your phone off. Lock the door. Put a do not disturb sign on the edge of your mat. Give your kids “the look” if they begin to bother you. Your yoga practice should be part of your self care routine. Something that you do for your physical and mental well being. Give yourself the gift of a home practice.

Drawing a blank on the mat

So you found some space. You shut off the distractions and you’ve found time to get on your mat. But, your mind has suddenly gone blank. You don’t know what to do! What warm up should you do? Where do you start? What poses you should be doing? If you’re new to yoga at home, my advice is to take away the stress and bring on the experts. Find someone you like practicing with and ask if they have videos! I create videos on YouTube, and exclusive full length yoga classes on Patreon.

Your practice could also just be a 5 minute meditation. A 20 minute savasana or body scan. Some gentle movement to mobilize and stretch after a tough workout. Or a restorative practice to relax and restore your body and spirit.

10 Benefits of practicing yoga at home

From personal experience I can honestly say when I practice regularly I feel amazing. Physically and mentally. Here’s a list of benefits of creating a home yoga practice.

  • No commute to the studio/gym
  • Fit yoga into your schedule!
  • You choose the focus/theme of the class
  • Your space = home comforts
  • 5 minutes or 90 minutes you choose!
  • Builds discipline
  • Wear whatever you like!
  • Saves money!
  • No-one else for comparison
  • Personal growth.

Creating a home practice isn’t always easy. There will definitely be times when it’s a struggle to get on your mat. But it’s so worth it! In person classes are valuable. But equally, if not more valuable, is building a home practice.

Questions

  • Do you practice yoga at home?
  • What struggles do you have finding some “me time”?
  • Have you practiced yoga online?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Yemi King

    April 4, 2020 at 3:32 am

    As its been 2 weeks since the kids have had no school, I was thinking about putting yoga into the day. If you have any videos for children, please do send them my way!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Ah that’s out of my wheelhouse, but a quick search on youtube should throw some results!

      Reply
  2. LenLen de Dios

    April 3, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    I’ve read a lot about the benefits of Yoga. However, I haven’t tried it yet. If time & budget permits, I will definitely go to a Yoga Class then later on, practice it at home.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Start now, plenty of classes for free online! (including mine!)

      Reply
  3. Crickette, The Things I Have to Say

    April 3, 2020 at 1:17 am

    I don’t do yoga, but I do other home workouts, and it is really important that you’re able to devote a specific place for this so that you can exercise with ease.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      It really is! Happy home workouts!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth O

        April 6, 2020 at 11:07 am

        True, with yoga postures you don’t need a ton of space and it is satisfying and great for the mind and body. Enjoyed your post.

        Reply
        • Di Hickman

          April 6, 2020 at 4:45 pm

          Yep, so little room needed! Thanks!

          Reply
  4. Lyosha

    April 2, 2020 at 3:13 am

    I love Yoga as well. I miss the emotions and the unity coming from the class but yoga at home is nice as well. I will try your sequence too.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      awesome. Yep the community of a studio is important. That community is available online also though!

      Reply
  5. Bethan Taylor-Swaine

    April 2, 2020 at 2:29 am

    We’ve been practicing at home quite a bit and have been making space by moving our living-room furniture up against the walls, the only issue is our dog wants to join in and loves to play with my hair during inversions!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      Hahahahaha, I hear ya! My instagram stories are all about my dog stealing the space on my mat!

      Reply
  6. Flossie McCowald

    April 1, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    You’ve given me one more nudge to give practicing yoga at home a try. I SO need to, but the time…I feel like I’m my kids’ round the clock tech support for their virtual learning these days!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      Mom self care time is more important than ever right now girl!

      Reply
  7. aisasami

    April 1, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    I live in a small apartment but I try to make space in my living room. I always try to make a clean and safe space. It is my yoga space and I am pretty happy!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      Yay! The yoga mat under the rug works wonders for living room yoga!

      Reply
  8. Kate Loves Travel

    April 1, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    I’m trying to start doing regular yoga – I just need to find a nice space to do it in…

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 1, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      I used to have a small space, now I’m taking over a room and creating my own home studio!

      Reply
  9. Marjie Mare

    March 31, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    Yesterday, I had my first Yoga session at home. We met online and it was weird. I think I need to create a specific place for my session now.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 1, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      yeah it’s weird! I taught a zoom yoga class at the weekend. Very odd not being able to see people clearly.

      Reply
    • Josfolio

      April 3, 2020 at 2:24 am

      Wow really useful and motivating. Have been trying to find space at home. This helps. Thank you for the motivation

      Reply
      • Di Hickman

        April 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

        I’ve been trying to find space for years, now is the time!

        Reply
  10. Stephanie

    March 31, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    We did a Facebook live class last week with the instructor that I usually go to class with. She’s also my son’s school music teacher, so it was fun for him to see her since we haven’t been to school for almost a month now. He really enjoyed it, and my husband and I are going to start doing a morning routine before the kids wake. Luckily, we have a big living room, it’s finding space in our schedule that’s usually the hardest here.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 1, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      Yep we have to prioritize our health and self care!

      Reply
  11. Holly Lasha

    March 31, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    This is such a great idea. I think having a place at home that you can comfortably exercise is important.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 1, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      It really is. We all need a space to get away!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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