With our daily lives being inundated with stressors that leave us feeling overwhelmed and lethargic it is no surprise that an increasing number of people turn to yoga in an attempt to boost both their physical and mental well-being. According to a survey conducted by the Yoga Alliance, the number of Americans engaging in yoga has increased by more than 50% to a staggering 36 million in 2016.
Creating A Year-Round Yoga Space In Your Home
While there are countless reputable yoga studios scattered all across the USA, some people simply don’t have the time to enroll in a yoga class, instead opting to create their own yoga space within the comfort of their own home where they can practice yoga all-year round. Creating your own yoga space may seem difficult but by following a few basic guidelines you will soon realize that it is significantly easier than anticipated.
What features should I look for in a yoga space?
Color is one of the most vital considerations when planning to set up a yoga space within your home. Opt for a room that boasts warm whites or muted, cooler tones as opposed to vibrant ones. If none of the spaces in your home fits the bill, you might have to consider repainting a couple of walls – using non-toxic paint of course. Another important element is lighting. Natural lighting is by far the best but you can’t unfortunately always rely on it, especially not during the winter months when the days are shorter and sunlight can become noticeably scarce. Energy-saving LED lights with a warm hue will help create a pleasant ambiance in your yoga space.
Maintain a comfortable temperature
Apart from color and lighting, getting the temperature right in your yoga space is another vital step in setting up your space. Yoga requires you to be comfortable and clear of mind, two things that are very difficult to obtain if you are either too hot or too cold. Anywhere between 72 and 86 °F is generally considered to be comfortable temperatures for yoga practice. Make sure to have a temperature regulator such as an air conditioner or a heater and fan on standby to make your space comfy regardless of the season.
Decorating your yoga space
Once you have cleared out the clutter and have the basics such as your yoga mat, pillow and small speakers in place, you can’t start decorating your yoga space. There are absolutely no rules as to how you must go about decorating your room although you might want to aim to keep it fairly simplistic and organized.
Plants are always a winner
Although candles and incense sticks are considered yoga-space staples, plants are of equal importance. There are a number of easy-to-care-for indoor plants such as succulents, ferns, cacti and bonsai that can add some greenery to your yoga space all-year round. Plants don’t only look nice, they are very therapeutic as well. When you bring plants indoors, you will rid the air of a lot of impurities, a great benefit seeing that yoga requires a lot of deep breathing. Plants work incredibly well in a yoga space as they bring much-needed balance to an area that may seem cold and sterile otherwise.
Look for interesting natural decorative elements
Natural decorative elements simply refer to the abundance of gifts we can borrow from Mother Nature to visually enhance our yoga spaces. These elements can include anything from rocks, crystals, and shells to sea sand, pebbles, logs and even water. Natural elements such as these will help keep you grounded while you perform yoga while also adding a lot of character and visual appeal to your space. As tempting as it may be to over-decorate it is important to refrain from it as the last thing you want is a cluttered and distracting room to do your yoga in.
It may require a bit of time and effort to set up your own yoga space at home but once the project is completed you will feel exceedingly pleased with yourself. As long as you get the basics right and feel peaceful and invigorated within the space, there is no need to sweat the small things. Focus on what is important and that is to reap the full mental and physical benefits of frequent yoga sessions in your dedicated space.
By Jane Wilson, Freelance Writer
For Bella Prana Yoga and Meditation in Tampa, Florida