Making S P A C E for Yoga

You know that post-yoga glow that you get after a great class? You’ve worked hard and your muscles are expanding with new energy and strength. Your body feels long, lean and light. Your mind is buzzing with an influx of oxygen, and for the first time in days there isn’t a constant newscast going on in your head telling you what to do. You feel yourself, now, content in the moment in a way that you can’t quite describe, and, unfortunately, you can’t quite replicate at home. Why is it that when yoga feels so great in the studio, it can be so hard to practice at home? Sometimes it’s hard just to make time for a home practice? Or, if we do create time, our practice suffers from distractions, lack of energy, creativity, and depth of experience. What can you do to create a space in your life for yoga outside of the studio?

There are three elements to a good yoga class that we must explore to begin to create an effective and inspiring home session; Space, Structure, and Support. Let’s first explore how these elements are used in a class, and then we can look at how you can use these elements to your benefit.

Space.

A yoga teacher, with strong intent, creates a physical environment that is most conducive to a focussed and deep practice. There is physical space to move and stretch. Unlike most of our homes, there is no clutter, no crumbs on the floor; no carpet stains that send your mind off to finding a good steam cleaner. There are also no distractions of telephones, kids returning from school, partners wanting to turn on the telly or have a chat. The rules of a yoga studio-no phones, pagers, or watches-create and sustain a mental space, helping students to remain focussed on the class, and reducing the energy drain caused by distractions that pull your energy in all different directions. The space that a yoga studio creates is quiet, inspiring, contemplative, relaxing, and considerate.

Structure.

A yoga class offers a structure, through which you can flow into exploring each integral aspect of a class. You move through the structure as though moving through the stages of a ritual, and each stage takes you to a greater depth of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual experience. Each style and philosophy of yoga is different, but each offers a perfect sequence of poses that benefit the being on all levels. Without this structure of sequence, flow cannot happen. This happens often when we decide at home to just ‘get down a do a few stretches’. Without a plan, we often end up napping, or giving up and making a sandwich.

Support.

A yoga teacher leading a class also offers support. This support is given in many ways, including helping you to perfect your physical technique, reminding you to breath, and offering insight into the many levels of experience of each pose. In a class your mind wanders off to thoughts and distractions, but the support of the teacher keeps you coming back into the ‘now’ of the movement, the breath, and the feeling of each movement, as well as the space between movement. You may wonder sometimes why your teacher goes off on tangents of philosophy and history of yoga, but this is all intended to support your practice, and take you to a greater depth. By using these three elements; Space, Structure and Support, you can create a focussed, balanced, and valuable home practice.

First, take some time to create a physical space in your home for your practice. You need enough space to move and stretch. This means a clean, uncluttered area of the home, preferably in a space with some natural light. Create an environment in your home that is conducive to focus, introspection, movement, and circulation of air. To create a mental space, you need to be free of distractions, and this means turning off all phones and pagers, telling the family that it’s your time for yoga, or practicing at a time when you are home alone. If you need to finish a report for tomorrow and it’s nagging you, if you can’t clear your mind for your practice, finish your report first so that it doesn’t occupy your yoga space. Setting an intent for your practice, and spending some time before you begin your postures to breath and imagine your practice flowing smoothly is of great benefit, so don’t skip this step.

Next, take some time to design your session, whether you will be stretching for five minutes after a workout, or enjoying a full yoga practice. The time you take to plan your session will pay off when your energy and inspiration begin to wane. Using videos, cd’s and books, or having a program designed by your yoga teacher are great ways to create a structure to your class. Finally, give your practice some support by regularly attending classes or private sessions. This will keep your body learning correct form. It will help you to develop better breath control to maintain a flow of breath throughout your practice. And, it will help to inspire your home sessions with philosophy and a deeper spiritual experience.

Props and Support Materials: In order to support your home practice, the following props, accessories, and focussing tools can be of benefit:

Yoga Mats will help you deepen and support your poses, and also helps you in creating a space for your practice. Mats can be purchased through most teachers and studios, fitness stores, or online.

Teaching Tools: Videos by Baron Baptiste, the Gaiam/Living Arts video series, and Total Yoga are great, and can be purchased at Amazon, Chapters, or in many studios. Books like Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar or Yoga Mind and Body by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre offer programs for students of all levels to follow. Many teachers offer personalized programs, and these can be a great benefit.

Accessories: Creating your personal yoga space may include burning incense, lighting candles, playing music, or creating an ‘inspiration board’ that reminds you to breath, offers you tidbits of information, inspirational quotes, and pictures that inspire you.

To Close: For students of all levels, a home practice will help you to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and is an essential element to finding the depth of yoga. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like support for your home practice, talk to your teacher or your studio for their guidance and experience.

And remember…in doing, in doing…it is done.

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