A Quick Guide to: 7 Tips On Starting A Home Yoga Practice

Yoga and fitness classes may be great investments for our health and fitness but like some of us who have learned from past experiences, signing up for a class package right away may not always work out to be the best decision later on, especially if you're new to it.

Most studios offer trial classes, which are a great way to find out. However, there is another alternative.

What if I told you that you can have access to any class, any teacher from around the world, for an unlimited period of time without paying for and committing to a membership or a studio?

And if going to a studio is not in the cards for you, or you're simply looking to stay at home, a home yoga practice may just be the answer.

There are many free online resources available to help determine if spending the money and signing up for a membership is the most suitable choice for you.

Read more about the 7 most essential tips below:

Tip 1: Grab laptop, mat, and towel.

Hang on, you don't have to splurge on a high-quality, expensive yoga mat just yet! Moreover, different mats feel differently when you practice on them. Finding the right mat for you may take time. So, you actually have a choice invest in mats, accessories, and yoga apparel at a later point.

A foam or rubber mat from stores such as Guardian, Decathlon, or Lazada, will be all you need for a start. Look for a thickness of 5 mm for better cushioning - it makes a difference.
A large bath towel will provide more grip, especially if your mat starts getting slippery in the middle of practice (this is a lifesaver especially if you're doing an intensive class such as vinyasa or flow, or if you're a heavy sweater).
A small hand towel may be a useful prop, or simply for wiping off sweat.

Tip 2: Find a quiet space away from distractions.

It can be anywhere. The living room, bedroom, kitchen, or even the outdoors. Air-conditioning or a fan is not necessary. Natural ventilation at room temperature would be the most ideal. If you prefer, you may consider removing clutter, add a plant, or a candle at visible, safe distance to create a pleasant and calming atmosphere.

Tip 3: Search for a yoga class online.

If you are new or relatively new to yoga, the sheer variety of virtual yoga classes and videos available may be overwhelming and confusing. Here are a few ways to help you find the right class:

By level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
By goal (to work on a specific part of the body, weight-loss, strength-building, mobility, injury rehabilitation, sport-specific, etc)
By class type (flow, power, vinyasa, hatha, yin, restorative, stress-relief, etc)
By duration (15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 90 minutes, etc)

Recommendations from friends are another great way to start but the best way to find out which classes you enjoy or suits you is to try them out yourself!

Tip 4: Set a routine and commit to it.

Cultivating a new habit is the hardest at the start. Maintaining consistency may be challenging due to changes and disruptions in our lives subsequently.

The trick is to make it as easy and effortless as possible.

Can't wake up early in the morning to practice? Do it in the evening. Can't commit to 3 days of practice per week, try 2 first. Unsure if you can complete 1 hour of yoga per session? Try 30 minutes or even 15 for a start. With ease, you'll eventually find sustainability but make it a routine, keep it fixed. You need some degree of structure to create the discipline required to form new habits.

If you fall short of keeping to your plan or routine, don't lose heart. It happens. Your practice should feel enjoyable and pleasant, not burdensome. Get on the mat for 5 minutes. Change the routine if that's how you feel that day and listen to your body. Do 10 deep, long breaths with full awareness if that's all you can manage for the day. Yoga should support your life, not the other way round.

Tip 5: Join an online yoga community or a yoga challenge to keep yourself motivated.

How do you stay motivated after the initial passion and energy fades out, or on days you simply don't feel like practicing? Interact with other home practitioners who are on a similar journey as you are. Talk and share about your experiences. You'll gain valuable insights by sharing with others. Taking part in yoga challenges and documenting your own progress or poses on social media may also add a social element and fun to your personal yoga practice. It can keep things fresh and keep you looking forward to yoga practice.

Tip 6: Look out for "bad" pain.

Good yoga teachers will caution about "good" and "bad" pain experienced during practice and guide you towards getting the most out of a class without risking injury to your body. "No pain, no gain" is an adage that you can safely toss out. While there should be hard work and intelligent placement of effort, it should never be to the point of feeling any sort of piercing or numbing sensation in the joints, ligaments, muscles, or nerves. A good teacher will tell you how you should feel and guide you to towards it in a class, which comes from none other than consistent, prolonged, and thorough self-practice.

Tip 7: Breathe.

Breath is central to yoga. It is always about the breath. If you're unsure, just breathe! The breath should be the most important focus beyond trying to bend or twist your body into perfect shapes or poses - always remember that.

I wish you a safe and amazing start to your yoga journey!