In the past, we here at Antaryami have already spoken a number of ways that you create the perfect yoga space at home and the benefits that doing yoga at home can provide. Of course, practising yoga every day is extremely beneficial, but are you using this beautiful and tranquil space that you’ve created to its full potential?
While you may use this space in the mornings as soon as you wake up or when you get home after a strenuous day, there are so many uses your yoga space can have that will bring so many more benefits into your day, positively affecting your mental and emotional well-being, as well as your stress levels.
Let’s dive straight in!
First Thing in the Morning
The best and most essential way to use your yoga space is, of course, to practice yoga, so let’s start with the obvious. There’s no better way to start your day than practice between 5 and 10 sun salutations to get the blood pumping around your body.
This is the best way to wake up, and you’re sure to carry the benefits of your session with you onto the rest of your day.
Getting Ready for Bed
No matter what you’ve been up to in your day, having a nice and calming stretch before bed is a great way release any stress you might have had built-up from the rest of your day. This is the ideal way to relax your muscles, and you’re sure to have an amazing night’s sleep because of it.
Any Other Times of the Day
Before we move onto the other kinds of benefits that your yoga space can provide, remember that it’s your studio, so feel free to practice any other kinds of yoga you want to try at any other times of the day.
Whether you’re having a lunch break, preferably before you eat, or even just randomly in the afternoon, feel free to practice yoga at any time of day, even if you’re just looking for a peaceful break between the jobs on your to-do list.
Meditation
Of course, you’ve spent so much effort creating a beautiful yoga space; this will naturally make it the ideal place to meditate. Light up some incense, grab your favourite pillow or chair. Close the door, play some soft ambient music (the Spotify Yoga & Meditation Playlist has a great selection of tracks), listen in silence and shut off the world, if only for a few minutes.
I love to start my own yoga sessions by meditating ten minutes before and ten minutes after, meditating once in the evening and perhaps the odd occasion throughout the day. This helps me stay completely in tune with my body, my mind and my emotions. I’m not going to bore you now with all the other incredible benefits that meditation provides.
Reading & Writing
Your yoga space has been designed to be your space and your space of peace at that. Why not fully optimise your use of this space by including other peaceful activities, such as reading and writing? Reading is renowned for its therapeutic properties, and there’s no better way to escape the stresses of the modern world than this.
Likewise, journaling, or keeping a diary, is a great way to find synchronicity with your emotions and your mental state, so much so that it’s considered by a lot of professionals to be a form of meditation in itself.
Get Creative
We spend the vast majority of our lives in front of screens and digital devices. Whether that’s our smartphones, laptops, computers, televisions or tablets. Try making your yoga space a device-free zone and take a break from your gadgets by using your yoga space as a creative space.
You could make vision boards, scrapbooks, dreamcatchers, draw, paint, or anything you enjoy! Not sure what kind of activities suit you? Try them all until you find one that you enjoy!
Summary
As you can see, there is a tonne of opportunities you can enjoy when it comes to the yoga space you’ve created in your home. While it’s nice to have a dedicated space, don’t forget that you can use for all manner of peaceful activities that will help you find a calming and positive balance in your life