How to Create Your Perfect Yoga Practice Space

Yoga at Home: How to Create Your Perfect Practice Space


Establishing and maintaining a strong, consistent home yoga practice can be hard! Between commitments to work, family and friends, it’s easy to let your practice fall down your list of priorities. I’m familiar with these challenges myself, even though I know that regular practice enriches nearly every aspect of my life by energizing my body, and calming and centering my mind. So, how do you get yourself onto your mat in the midst of life’s other demands, and how do you practice regularly without making yoga seem like just one more item on your growing to do list?
 
Practicing at home removes some of the barriers faced by studio-goers -- no studio fees, and no need to drive or commute anywhere -- but it certainly comes with its own challenges. Where studios offer dedicated spaces with everything from lighting, to music, to scent, paving the way to a purposeful experience, home practitioners have to create this focus and ambience on their own.
 
The key is to make transitioning from your busy life into your home practice as easy and pleasurable as walking into a studio. This can take a little effort and intentionality, but it’s worth it to practice yoga on your own schedule in your own space. You can do it, and below I’ve created a short guide with some tips and products to help you on your way!!
 

Make Home Practice Easy

As someone who works from home, I know that, for my practice to be sustainable, I need to be able to go from my office chair to my yoga mat in no more than 5 minutes. That’s including getting changed, unrolling my mat, and gathering the props I need. If it’s going to take longer than that, I may easily find reasons to avoid doing it.
 
First of all, have a place for your mat, props and mat spray to live. A specific place. “In the living room” isn’t specific. ‘On the second shelf from the top” is. Same goes for yoga clothes. Getting your clothes out ahead of time and putting them somewhere visible like your bed can help remind you of your commitment to practice. Have your preferred device easily accessible and know which video you want to use before hand. Sites like ours have over 500 videos to choose from so picking on the fly can be hard. If you’d rather have someone else pick for you, you could try one of our challenges or programs.
 
If you can do these things and transition from your regular day to on your mat in 5 minutes, I guarantee you will be well on your way to a sustainable home practice.

CREATE AN INVITING HOME PRACTICE SPACE

For my fellow parents out there, or for anyone whose house can get a little bit disordered, finding that good yoga ambience at home can be a bit of a challenge. Having a space specifically for yoga is ideal but not possible for a lot of us, so it comes down to the small things you can do to make your space conducive to focus, physicality and relaxation.
 
At minimum, you need a space that is clean and spacious enough to accommodate the required movements. Beyond that, some will find just closing a door or drawing a curtain enough to signal to their bodies and minds that practice is about to begin. For others, it might require a little more: lighting a candle or setting the mood with some aromatic essential oils; playing a singing bowl or chimes; settling in with the right kind of music; or bringing in objects that hold particular personal or spiritual significance. Whatever you need to make your yoga space nurturing, relaxing and motivating. You need to want to go there in order to make your home practice sustainable.
 

Master The Art Of Ambience

We’ve combed the planet looking for the best, eco-friendly products to help yogis like you create the perfect yogic vibe in your home studio. Below, you’ll find products from four companies that take ambience seriously, and also impressed us with their eco-consciousness and vision. DoYogaWithMe has tested all of their products, and I’ve personally spoken to company representatives (often the founders) to truly understand their vision, values and impact on the planet.
 
Here are short descriptions of the four companies, followed by a list of candles, essential oil diffusers, essential oils and room mists that will help you make your very own home studio feel like a studio:
 
Little Fox Apothecary uses gifts provided by mother nature to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Their handcrafted, aromatherapy and plant-based wellness products are made on the beautiful west coast of Canada and help individuals to heal, find balance and restore. They are committed to using locally sourced, wildcrafted ingredients which are 100% free of synthetic or harmful chemicals
 
Nezza Naturals was co-founded by James Trueit and his daughter Sasha Prior on Galiano Island, B.C., Canada in 2004. They both share the belief that plant based ingredients hold powerful healing qualities and what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it! James has spent years researching and formulating over 400 products while Sasha brought her experience and training as an aromatherapist. Use code YOGA10 for 10% off the products listed below.
 
Big Dipper Wax Works uses the highest quality, all natural, biodegradable ingredients. Their candles are hand-crafted in Seattle, WA with 100% pure beeswax collected from beekeepers in the Western US and Canada. They focus on creating products and a work environmental that contribute to the health of our community and planet.
 
Organic Aromas has developed the most powerful and effective nebulizing diffuser for aromatherapy. The cool mist technology of their nebulizers diffuse only pure essential oils with no heat, no water and no plastic. Their diffusers are handmade with plantation hardwood and hand-blown with pyrex glass. They stand behind their products 100% and offer a solid one year warranty on all parts and labor.
 

Candles

Nothing quite sets the mood for yoga or meditation like a scented candle, but it’s also nice if that candle isn’t filling the room with carcinogens! Here are our favorite expertly-crafted, non-toxic candles for your home studio!
 

Little Fox Candles

Little Fox Apothecary has a lovely series of nine soy candles, each individually poured. Soy wax burns clean, has no pollutants, toxins or carcinogens, is less likely to trigger allergies, is biodegradable and burns 30-50% longer than a paraffin candle. The dried flowers/herbs are wild-crafted and they only use essential oils for aroma (no synthetic or ‘natural’ fragrance oils).
 
These are our three top pics:
 
Qualities: purifying, cleansing, provides positive energy
Gemstone: citrine
Floral: sage, purple clover
Essential Oils: black spruce, clove bud, fir balsam, juniper berry, sweet orange, pine, rosemary
 
Qualities: calming, healing and provides balance
Gemstone: amethyst
Floral: lavender, earl grey leaves
Essential Oils: bergamot, lavender
 
Qualities: grounding, stabilizing, helps with nervous tension
Essential Oils: cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, lemongrass, patchouli, roman chamomile, ylang ylang
 

Big Dipper Wax Works Beeswax Candles

Big Dipper Wax Works has an amazing selection of beeswax candles, including tapered, pillars, votives, tins, glassware, sculpted, outdoor and special occasion candles, both plain and aromatherapy. They also feature bodycare and other accessories. Below are our favorite candle types. In terms of aromatherapy blends, we love Harmony, Serenity and Radiance.

Serenity
Qualities: enticing, comforting, stimulating, promotes creativty
Essential oils: lavender and frankincense
Frankincense helps connect the full mind, body breath system and create synergy from sacral to crown chakra, improves concentration. It calms fire and heat in the body and quiets and clarifies the mind.
 
Qualities: calming, balancing, relaxing
Essential oils: lavender
Lavender helps connect us to higher vibrations and unites the chakras.
 
Qualities: warming, inspiring, joyful, energizing
Essential oils: tangerine and ylang ylang
These two oils work to energize you in a morning yoga flow.
 
 
Featuring three sizes and nine aromatherapy blends, these long burning, naturally scented pillars combine only the finest essential oils with the purest beeswax and are dyed to match their corresponding blend. Absolutely no artificial fragrances or synthetic scents are used.
 
Their signature Beehive glass features a 4.2 ounce candle that burns bright for over 35 hours and is uniquely packaged in a sturdy cardboard tube. Each therapeutic aromatherapy blend combines only the finest essential oils with the purest beeswax. Beehive Glass Refills are available.
 
 
Their pure beeswax tea lights are hand poured into clear, high heat poly-carbonate cups, exude the wonderful aroma of natural, sweet honey and burn for five hours. For less of an environmental impact, bulk tea lights are available as refills without the cups.
 

Diffusers

Want to fill your yoga space with the wonderful scent of essential oils? The most effective way is to use a nebulizing diffuser, which requires no heat and no water. There are currently a wide variety of handmade aromatherapy diffusers made from natural materials like wood and glass on the market, but these are our two favorites:
 
 
Size: 20cm (7.5 inches) tall and 13 cm (5 inches) wide.
 
"Radiance is a remarkable, stylish and delicate Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser and perhaps the most charming in the Organic Aromas collection. Polished and beautiful, the exquisite rounded glass reservoir is masterfully imbued with a unique swirling design and complimented by high quality, hand-crafted imported plantation hardwood. Graceful and refined, this piece is versatile and functional and the perfect artistic complement to any interior."
 
 
 
 
"The Raindrop is a versatile, effective and therapeutic aromatherapy diffuser that does not use heat or water. The device is clean, safe, uses very little energy and is completely quiet. With a large, rounded plantation hardwood base and a striking conical glass reservoir with candle-wick top."
 
 

Essential Oils

Of course, if you are going to buy an essential oil diffuser, you need essential oils! And with essential oils, quality really does matter! The better the quality the truer the scent, the less you need, and the longer the scent will last. Our favorite essential oils and diffuser blends come from Little Fox Apothecary and Organic Aromas

Little Fox Diffuser Blends

Awaken (10ml)
Qualities: uplifting, invigorating, improves mental clarity and joy
Essential Oils: Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Citrus paradisii (grapefruit), Citrus sinensis (orange), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Mentha spicata (spearmint)
 
Tranquil (10ml)
Qualities: calming, relaxing, helps with depression, anxiety, nervous tension, and stress
Essential Oils: Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Citrus sinensis (orange), Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium), Vanilla planifolia (vanilla), Cananga odorata (ylang ylang)
 
Meditate (10ml)
Qualities: grounding, stabilizing, helps with nervous tension and letting go of negativity
Essential Oils: Cedrus deodora (cedarwood), Salvia sclarea (clary sage), Cupressus sempervirens (cypress), Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Chamamaemelum nobile (roman chamomile), Cananga odorata (ylang ylang)
 

Organic Aromas Essential Oils

40 single and diffuser blends, each 2mL.
The Discovery Collection is the perfect way to indulge your curiosity about essential oils.
Included in this collection are:
 
Single Organic Oils: lavender, eucalyptus, sweet orange, peppermint, ylang ylang, grapefruit, rosemary, tea tree, lemon, bergamot
Single Essential Oils: cinnamon, citronella, clary sage, elemi, frankincense, marjoram, pine, rose geranium, spearmint, sweet basil, sweet ginger, wintergreen, lime, juniper
Blends: Burglars, Energy, Purity, Passion, Signature, Serenity, Butterflies Breath, Celebration, Formosa, Harmony, Jubilation, Meditation, Morning Bloom, Ocean Breeze, Pacific Northwest, Welcome Home
 

Room Sprays Or Aroma Mists

Aroma mists are quick and easy ways to add ambience to a space. They don’t have the staying power of an essential oil diffuser but take much less time. Here are our favorites:

Little Fox Aroma Mists

Pillow Mist (120ml)
Qualities: calming, relaxing, promotes a restful sleep.
Ingredients: Aqua, (distilled glacier water), Hamamelis virginiana (organic witch hazel), Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Cedrus deodora (cedarwood), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Origanum majorana (marjoram), Citrus sinensis (orange), Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), chamamaemelum nobile (roman chamomile), Santalum album (sandalwood)
 
Awaken Mist (120ml)
Qualities: invigorating, provides mental clarity and joy.
Ingredients: Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Citrus paradisii (grapefruit). Citrus sinensis (orange), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Mentha spicata (spearmint), Aqua, (distilled glacier water), Hamamelis virginiana (organic witch hazel)
 

Nezza Natural Aroma Mists

 
Qualities: promotes focus and relaxation, good for yoga and meditation.
Essential oils: frankincense, sandalwood, cedarwood, lavender and sweet orange.
*Enter YOGA10 to get 10% off when purchasing these Nezza items!*
 
 
Qualities: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and immune boosting.
Essential oils: eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, lemon
 
If you have any other recommendations for products to help create a perfect yoga space, please let us know below!

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