Hey Readers! Glad you are here! In this week's blog post, I will go over some tips and tricks for creating a home yoga/workout space for yourself. Having a dedicated space in which to practice yoga and/or other fitness-related exercises is so important for keeping up with your wellness plan. Also, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are doing more workouts at home than ever before. Thus, it is a wise investment to set up a yoga/workout space in your home.
Picture 1. Part of my home yoga/workout space
Why is a home yoga/workout space important?
A home yoga/workout space can help you to maintain adherence to your workout routine because you do not have to continually set up your equipment each time you use the space. For instance, in your dedicated fitness space you can keep your yoga mat continuously unrolled and have your yoga props always "at the ready." Having a space in your home that is just for fitness and wellness can also help your home feel more peaceful, calm, and healthy. For example, when you complete a workout in your home, your brain is able to associate the pleasurable effects of exercise with your home. And, a home yoga/workout area gives you a space in which you can practice nutritious movement, breathing, and connection to yourself. Think of your home yoga/workout space as a safe haven that you can escape to when you need some refuge from the craziness of life.
How to create a home yoga/workout space?
To create a home yoga/workout space, find some place in your house that you can dedicate to your fitness practice. It does not have to be an entire room; however, if you do have a whole room you can devote to your fitness, that is awesome! Maybe you have a spare bedroom that you are not using for anything important. Or maybe you have space in your basement (if you have one) or garage where you could set up your yoga/fitness equipment. If you do not have a room that you can set aside solely for exercise/yoga, that is okay! You could set up a designated yoga/workout space in an already-occupied room in your house. For example, one of my friends keeps her yoga mat unrolled on her side of the bed in her bedroom because she does not have an entire room to devote to fitness/yoga. Someone else I know has a designated area in her family room that is only for yoga/fitness. Once you find your space, let everyone in your household know that this space is only for exercising/practicing yoga. This should help prevent unwanted materials or activities from happening in this space. For example, my dogs, whom I love more than anything, are not allowed in my yoga space because I do not want their dog hair on all of my equipment.
What to include in home yoga space?
Oh boy! There are so many options of items that you could have in your home yoga/workout space. Based on your personal interests and fitness goals, you may choose to include a wide variety of fitness-related equipment. In my home yoga space, I keep the following items always ready for use:
Yoga mat
Roll Model Method therapy balls
Sliders (for stability work)
Various weighted dumbbells
Stability/yoga ball
Bluetooth speaker
Various lighting options (e.g. window for daytime light; lamps and nightlight for evening practices)
Candle/essential oil diffuser
Reference books (e.g. yoga anatomy; Roll Model Method)
Inspirational artwork
Below are several pictures from my personal home yoga/workout space.
Picture 2. Various dumbbells; stability ball; bluetooth speaker
Picture 3. Reference materials; blocks; bolsters; strap; blanket
Picture 4. Roll Model Method therapy balls; sliders; eye pillows; another yoga blanket
Picture 5. Inspirational artwork (these were actually created by me, but you could put anything that inspires you on your walls)
Summary
Having a dedicated space in your home for fitness and yoga can really help you maintain your personal wellness practices. You could set aside an entire room for yourself or use a section of a room. Once you settle on your yoga/workout space, let your family know that this space is solely for yoga/exercise. Keep items that you use regularly for fitness in your yoga/workout space. For example, I always keep an extra yoga mat, various props, weights, and more in my home yoga/workout space. Remember that your home yoga/workout space is a place of refuge for you. Set it up and decorate it in a way that feels authentic and joyful to you. Your home yoga/workout space might look entirely different than mine, and that is okay! My home yoga space is a representation of my unique personality, and yours should be a unique representation of who YOU are. And remember, it is okay for your home yoga/fitness space to be a “work in progress.” Just like your fitness path, your home wellness space will likely evolve over time as your needs change. If you do not already have a home yoga/workout space, I challenge you to find a spot in your home that you can use for your fitness endeavors. Your body and mind will thank you.
As always, the information presented in this blog post is derived from my own study of neuroscience, human movement, anatomy, and yoga. If you have specific questions about setting up a fitness/yoga space in your home, please consult with your physician, personal trainer, physical therapist, or private yoga teacher. If you are interested in private yoga sessions with me, Jackie, you can book services on my website ("Book Online" from the menu at the top of the page), or you can email me at info@lotusyogisbyjackie.com for more information about my services. Also, please subscribe to my website so you can receive my weekly newsletters (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can submit your email address). This will help keep you "in-the-know" about my latest blog releases and other helpful yoga and wellness information. Thanks for reading!
~Namaste, Jackie Allen, M.S., M.Ed., CCC-SLP, RYT-200, RCYT