Yoga Studio at Home | Welcome to Better

These days, we are all doing our best to find ways to stay active at home. Yoga is a great option for just that, and it is a beneficial habit for a lot of different reasons:

Fosters relaxation
Improves flexibility
Increases ability to focus
Clears the mind
Relieves pain and/or stress
Provides spiritual benefits
Provides physical benefits

Yoga is a great, low-impact, beginner-friendly exercise with such a diverse range of health benefits, and it’s relatively easy to create a yoga space at home. You don’t have to spend a ton on money or have a huge space—just find a space that makes you happy! Check out these easy tips on how to set up the perfect yoga studio in your own home today.

Create a Yoga Studio Space in Your Living Room

Dedicating a specific space in your home for yoga is a way to acknowledge your commitment, and it helps you create awareness. It’s like you are literally making room in your life for it. And you are more likely to practice if you have the space for it.

Ideally, you’d have a 9’ x 9’ space, or about the size of a walk-in closet. It can be anywhere: a bedroom, a corner of a room, a flex space, or a bonus room. Big or small, just make the best out of what you have to work with. But here are some tips that can help:

You should have enough room to roll out a yoga mat, plus a bit of room for stretching or doing certain poses
Your space should be longer than your mat, wider than your arm span, and you shouldn’t touch the ceiling. (You just want to make sure that it’s large to not hit your arms or legs on a wall or a piece of furniture and end up hurt—there’s no Zen in that!)
Use natural items when possible: bamboo, organic cotton, reclaimed wood, or cork
Carpet might make poses more challenging, so wood flooring is preferred if possible

Don’t let lack of space hinder you; it’s all about the “intention” you put in the space as you prepare it.

Preparing Your Home for Yoga

If you are unable to dedicate a space for your at-home yoga studio where your mat/other equipment can stay out all the time, and you’ll be giving a current room a new multi-purpose, keep the following in mind:

Need to move furniture?

If you’re room has hard floors, make sure felt pads are on the bottoms/feet of your furniture to make sliding these pieces around easier and less of a strain on your back
Make sure to have a place where your furniture can be moved and out of the way, allowing for 360° of movement (and that it can easily be moved back to its original spot when done with your workout)
Be cautious moving heavy pieces! You don’t want to hurt yourself getting ready and use that as an excuse to never start the workout

Where to store your yoga equipment

Try to keep your equipment stored away in an easy-to-reach spot, but one that keeps it out of the way when you’re not doing yoga
Consider using wall mounts or an over-the-door hanger for yoga mats or bands
Baskets help keep things contained, organized, and more aesthetically pleasing if in sight
Find a piece of furniture that can double in duty, like an ottoman that has storage

Divide up the space

If possible, set up the space with defined areas, so not as much moving is necessary before each workout
Use a divider to separate spaces within one room in order to create an always-ready spot

Your environment sets the foundation for your practice. Keep it clutter- and dirt-free and use every inch of the space to its full capacity. Get creative and put some effort into it!

Environment

Who doesn’t need a little more peace in their life? When setting up your yoga studio at home, you want to make sure your spot is as peaceful as possible. There are some things to consider:

Make sure it’s quiet, convenient, and calming
Eliminate distractions: turn off your phone and make accommodations for pets and/or kids
Get the temperature right: heat helps open the body up, so some might say a warmer room is better, but you can also generate your own heat and keep at standard temp
Make the space purposeful: a clear space = a clear mind, so keep other items minimal if possible

Find your calm. Some people find calm in the chaos. If you’re calmer with a cat climbing on you or with the kids running around, then let the chaos be your calm. The point is to make the space somewhere you actually want to spend time in.

Equipment

There is not much equipment that is required when setting up your yoga space at home. A yoga mat is really the only vital piece of equipment.

Pro tip: Leave your mat unrolled in your space if possible, to attract you to want to practice more often.

Optional items to consider:

Yoga blocks – to help with flexibility, balance, and to help you stretch deeper and longer
Yoga straps – help you get into deeper poses and open up muscles (other options: belt/resistance bands)
Meditation cushion/pillow
Accents that help keep you in a positive frame of mind, such as:

Family photos
Statue of a deity
Positive words/affirmations/quotes
Crystals
Incense or essential oils

Yoga towel
Device for music or nature sounds
Computer/tv if you’re watching an instructional video

The jury is out on mirrors. Some yogis love them, saying they are great for checking your alignment and posture, and others hate them, citing that it can take the individual out of their mind and back into their body. At the end of the day, use whatever equipment feels right to you.

Decorations

When decorating your at-home yoga studio, a soothing palette with natural elements and neutral, calming décor is ideal. Here are some things to consider:

Warm paint color on the walls—muted, cool, or warm tones (be sure to use low/no VOC paint if possible)
Turn lights to low/dimmer-less light—more calming
House plants/live green wall
Essential oil diffuser or incense burner
Candles—to help with emotions or to have something to focus on

If your living room just isn’t where you’re feeling inspired, take your mat outdoors or try a different room! Just keep it simple, warm, and peaceful. At the end of the day, be sure to design your space to express yourself.

Find Your Flow: Create an At-Home Yoga Routine

Kelly Senn, Owner of Orlando Power Yoga, comments, “The group dynamic, the energy in the room, and the love that people share when they are doing yoga together is invaluable. However, if you are unable to make it to a studio, you can still reap the health benefits from trying your luck at home.”

It’s been said the hardest part of yoga is making it to the mat, so just do it—and do it consistently—don’t make excuses. Whether you prefer to add to your nighttime ritual or right before you start your day, don't let other things get in the way of your at-home yoga routine!

Yoga is so good for both the body and the mind, let go of your surroundings, so be inspired, and get ready to nama-“stay” at home and find your om.

What are your favorite ways to practice yoga at home?

Aisha Coleman

Have questions about interior design? Looking to take on a DIY home project? Interested in discovering new things to do in your hometown? Ready to learn about the new home construction process? Aisha can help! With over a decade of experience in her role as Internet Sales Manager in M/I Homes of Orlando, Aisha's ready to share a wealth of knowledge on all these topics and more. You can trust Aisha's insights as she is a Florida local and enjoys spending time with family by either traveling or relaxing at one of Florida's many beaches.