5 tips to create a home yoga space

Posted on June 12, 2020

Many yoga studios remain closed for in-person classes. This makes it even harder to stay motivated and keep up your self care routine. By following a few tips and tricks, you can easily create a space in your home ideal for a relaxing deep stretch sesh or an energetic flow. Plus, having a dedicated space can help you maintain a consistent practice long after studios reopen.

Our 5 favorite ways to transform a room into a yoga space you’ll actually want to use:

1. Choose a quiet room and only use it for yoga.

Take inventory of your home. Consider converting an unused guest bedroom or an empty storage room into a personal yoga studio. If not, consider a larger closet or a corner in the basement—preferably a location with natural light and thick walls. Remove clutter, take down distracting artwork and vacuum up any dust and pet dander. Make this your only spot to practice yoga and nothing else. No kids, no work, just yoga. You’ll be more likely to return to your mat day after day.

2. Turn up the heat.

One big benefit of practicing yoga at a studio (like ours) is the ability to do it in a heated space. Heat can help reduce injury, increase flexibility and work up a good sweat. Run a space heater (gas or electric) in your space. Keep in mind, electric space heaters have a tendency to suck moisture out of the air. You can run a humidifier or diffuser to combat dryness. Add a few drops of essential oils to your diffuser. We like orange, peppermint, lavender and Frankincense. Search Pinterest for recipe ideas.

3. Add plants.

Indoor plants add oxygen to the air and can create a calming ambiance. And they’re pretty on the eyes! Consider moving your existing indoor plants into your yoga space, or buy new ones online or from local shops. Look for herbs, succulents, spider plants, and Monstera varieties. If you have dogs and cats, do your research on which varieties are pet-safe. Camas Yoga & Co just started selling locally-grown succulents and large indoor plants. Check out our Instagram page for availability, or stop by our studio in Downtown Camas to view our window display.

4. Invest in a high-quality mat.

You get what you pay for when it comes to yoga gear. If you plan to keep up a long-term yoga practice, choose a mat that's slip-resistant and durable. Cheap mats will peel, tear and lose their grip over time. Sustainable options include rubber and bamboo. These materials are also sanitary and easy-to-clean with a vinegar-water mixture. When it comes to thickness, you have a few options. Thicker mats will provide support for your joints, but are bulkier and sometimes more difficult to balance on. Thinner mats offer less joint support, but are portable and easier to transition from one posture to the next. Need help? Shoot us an email…we’re happy to help you pick the right mat.

5. Take live or pre-recorded online classes.

If you’re an experienced yogi, you can usually come up with stretches and flow sequences that work for you. However, if you’re new to yoga, it’s important to learn from certified instructors. You can sign up for live classes via your local studio, or you can subscribe to yoga channels like Glo or Alo Moves. Taking online classes through your local studio comes with the added benefit of building relationships with teachers and fellow students. Shameless plug: click here to check out our Zoom classes.