Are you thinking of getting into yoga, but you’re too shy or hesitant to enroll in a class? Although it is ideal to enroll in a live class and have a professional trainer, you can still teach yourself yoga and practice at home.
Yes, you can be your own yoga teacher – it won’t be hard, but it won’t be easy as well. There are a lot of things you need to take note of and consider. Not only that, but there are also some things you need to prepare. Nonetheless, you can always start to teach yourself yoga at home, anytime. So, are you ready?
How to Learn and Practice Yoga on Your Own?
You can’t be good at yoga in an instant, or specifically, you can’t learn yoga in an instant. But do no worry. We listed few tips for starting yoga by yourself.
Plan it out.
If you want your self-taught yoga practice to be successful, you need to set a goal and a plan. You need to decide on every little and big factor ahead of time. Remember that you’re in control, so things such as the type of yoga you’re going to practice and the class’s pace and energy should be planned out.
Watch and learn.
You cannot teach yourself something you do not know – even the basics. You will still need an instructor’s guidance, and it is when online videos and books (or DVDs) get in handy. Before you start practicing yoga at home, alone, you should check out YouTube for loads of free one on one tutorials and videos first.
You can start by searching for videos specifically for beginners that talk you through exactly what you should be doing and when you should do it. Before attempting to follow along, watch them all the way.
After watching, do a little research after finding a routine you like by reading up on the poses you have watched. Watching a video and following a routine is convenient enough. Still, if you really want to practice yoga, it is important to understand better what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
You can also get a few books from a bookstore, online, and even checking some out from the library. Books can be a great resource to help you save money and learn at the same time, without taking a class.
Set-up a quiet area.
Choose or create a quiet and uncluttered space in your home for your practice. Space doesn’t have to be large, but it should be quiet, clean, and open. Why? Because the environment plays a huge role in your yoga session.
Prepare your equipment.
When you watch beginner videos, you will notice that they won’t require you to have a lot of equipment, but some equipment you can get, such as a yoga mat before you start is also important. We will talk about the yoga equipment that you’ll need at home in a while.
You can also consider lighting candles or using aromatherapy to help you relax and get fully into your space and your movements. Yes, men can do this, too.
Be patient and practice your routine.
When learning to teach yourself yoga, another tip to keep in mind is to have patience. You’re not going to get every pose right, nor are you going to appreciate every minute immediately. But once you experience improvements, you will surely feel fulfilled.
Also, discipline is the name of the game. Teaching yourself yoga, like anything else, takes some effort and discipline. Consistency is one of the best keys to practicing yoga. Even on days when you don’t feel like it, we encourage you to roll out your mat and do it anyway.
Things You Need for Yoga
It only takes the body, mind, and spirit to practice yoga. And while that’s all you need, there is some yoga equipment to get for a better yoga experience. We listed some basic items that you can purchase as you start yoga at home.
Yoga Mat
With so many mat choices available on the market, it cannot be easy to select the best one. But you might want to consider its length, thickness, and texture, material, durability, comfort, traction, or how to keep it clean. You can always look at the reviews first before buying it to make sure that it is the best yoga mat for you.
Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks are used to strengthen your alignment and to make you more relaxed. It is advantageous, specifically for standing poses in which your hands are supposed to be on the floor.
Blocks are usually made from foam, wood, or cork. If you intend to do a lot of yoga at home, having a set of blocks is worth it.
Yoga Straps
Yoga straps, also known as belts, are handy for positions where you need to hold on to your feet but cannot reach them. Basically, the strap serves as an extension of the limb. It’s perfect for poses, too, where you tie your hands behind your back.
Comfortable and Breathable Clothing
Of course, aside from all the mentioned equipment above, you also need to have comfortable and breathable clothes. Choose clothes that enable you to concentrate on practicing. Do not wear clothes that are too tight or too restrictive. Note, you want to be completely free to move around positions.
Buying and looking for the perfect yoga gear can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Take a deep breath and note that the essential thing you need to do have to start a yoga practice is your desire to learn.
Why Do Yoga at Home?
If you are not convinced yet that you can actually start practicing yoga at home, we will give you some reasons that we hope will motivate you.
- Practicing on your own makes you learn to be self-regulating and self-soothing.
- It’s so indulgent to train on your own. You can take anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes to do whatever you want at whatever speed, tone, and intensity you choose.
- The more you work on your own, the more you will determine how you feel.
- When you train on a daily basis, the results of each session don’t have a chance to wear off until you get back to the mat. Not bad for something you can do without investing a dollar in your living room.
The Bottom Line
The discovery of home practice can help you realize that you can actually enjoy some solitude. And it would be great if you’ll incorporate it into your regular yoga routine. Yes, working with a yoga instructor has advantages, but so is yoga at home.
READ ALSO: Can I Listen to Music While Doing Yoga?
