Yoga Instructor Claudine Lafond from BodyMindLife Online shares her tips to get going.
Beyond the prowess of the physical poses, there is something so soothing about practicing yoga.
While I have been a practitioner for many years around the world, over the past 18 months I have been forced (like many others) to practice from my home more than ever before.
However as a mum of two kids under the age of five and a business owner, sometimes I even find it hard to make the time to get on the mat, and yoga is my “job”.
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Yoga has garnered a reputation for being about the slickest activewear and most aesthetic studio, however what I love about flowing at home is that it renders all that rather useless.
An at home practice serves as a really potent reminder that the power of yoga doesn’t need to happen on the best mat in the market. It is all about how the practice makes you feel!
We are feeling a sense of communal stress at the moment. In times like these the practice of yoga becomes a whole lot more important for our emotional well-being.
Whether you are new to the practice or struggling to find the energy to roll out the mat at home, it is important to remember that at-home yoga doesn’t have to be fancy. Practicing at home is filled with its own challenges.
I hope that my seven keys to practicing yoga at home fill you with confidence and inspiration to get on the mat.
1. Find a platform you love
Just because you are practicing at-home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the sense of community that comes with being a part of a yoga bubble.
Our community at BodyMindLife Online encourages teachers and students to learn and grow together, anytime and anywhere.
2. Time is to your advantage
While studio classes are usually no shorter than an hour long, virtual and digital classes can be any length that you want or can fit into your schedule.
I personally love to move my body morning and night, but it can be hard with kids. Two 20 to 30 minute bursts of practice is just what I need to bookend my day with a sense of calm.
3. Create a space that is unique and special
You don’t need all the fancy fiddle leaf figs to make your yoga space feel unique. Creating the feel of Yoga Shala at home can be as simple as lighting a candle, investing in a crystal or sitting on a comfy cushion.
Remember that the practice is meant to feel indulgent and special!
4. Use all the props you need
Unfortunately our western egos have made yoga somewhat competitive. This means that students in studios are less likely to use the support of props!
When you are at home, remember that nobody is watching you. This means you can nurture and support your body with the use of blocks, books, straps, cushions, bolsters and water bottles.
You would be amazed at how useful ordinary household items become when you are practicing.
5. Explore different class offerings
Practicing with an online platform means that you can switch up what you practice and who you practice with every time you are on the mat.
It is an amazing opportunity to explore different styles of yoga. You might need the restoration of Yin yoga, be craving the fire of an arm balance class or in the mood to open up your hips!
6. Back out when you need to
Although yoga is a fantastic practice to help alleviate injuries, it can also make some things worse when you go beyond your limits.
When you are not under the guidance of a professional it is vital that you decipher what is a good and bad feeling in your body. If you are ever unsure, I believe in backing out. The world won’t fall into pieces if you try 10% less.
7. Try and pay attention
It’s so easy to find yourself distracted by a neverending list of at-home demands. I diarise my practice and let my husband know that I am stepping onto the mat for me time.
Remember, self care is never selfish.
Claudine Lafond is yoga teacher from Sydney and is part of the new education platform BodyMindLife Online.
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