5 Ways to Take Your Home Yoga Practice to the Next Level

Published on July 9, 2020 – Last Updated on May 6, 2022

Yoga isn’t something you ever truly master. There’s always the next step in your yoga practice, a deeper level of the mind-body connection to achieve. So when you’re unable to attend class due to the pandemic, instead of giving up, look for a way to push your yoga practice to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi, here are five ways you can step up your yoga practice.

Personal Space

An in-home practice is a great option when you can’t get to your studio. Besides, with a designated place you can turn to whenever you want, you can keep up your routine no matter what. But, first, you need a little space and equipment.

You’ll want a home yoga sanctuary with enough room to move freely, where you won’t be distracted, and you will feel at peace. The floor should be even, and you should also consider appropriate tools and props, like a mat, straps, and blocks.

Also, think about different ways you can stay on track with your sessions. For example, many people find adding a media device for streaming lessons helpful. Following along with poses on your smartphone or laptop screen can be difficult, but you can use your TV with a streaming device. A few options are available, so check model specifications to find a player that fits your needs and TV.

Incorporate Rituals

Some yoga enthusiasts struggle to focus on their practice at home. When you have a lot weighing on your mind, as we all do right now, it’s hard to let go and commit yourself to mindfulness. If this is a problem you’re dealing with in your home practice, try setting the stage for yoga with a short ritual. Writing a gratitude list, lighting candles and incense, and guided meditation are some of the ideas suggested by Yogi Surprise. In addition, a guided meditation app like MindTaskic could be just what you need to boost your meditation efforts.

Check out our morning meditation blog post that will teach you how to start your day refreshed.

Set Goals for Yourself

When practicing at home, you need to stay accountable to your yoga practice, and you may need goals to give you direction. Whether your goal is to practice a certain number of times per week or improve a pose for a month, yoga apps like Track Yoga and Yoga Studio can help you track your progress via activity logging, milestones, and yoga challenges.

Fresh Guidance and Insights

There’s something extraordinary about finding a yoga teacher you connect with. Under the guidance of a superior instructor, it’s easier to let go of self-consciousness and fully commit to your practice. Even if you already have a great instructor at your studio, there’s a benefit to switching up your yoga instructor once in a while. Every yoga teacher offers something different; one might focus strictly on asanas, another may incorporate more spiritual elements. Yoga teachers also vary in the types of yoga they’re experienced in. And now that you’re at home, you can take online classes or watch videos (YouTube offers a variety of complimentary classes) from many different instructors from around the globe.

Seven Is Enough

Your goals don’t have to be big to be worthy. If yoga is starting to feel less like self-care and more like an obligation, or if time is tight, permit yourself to practice for as little as seven minutes daily. DoYouYoga explains scaled-down goals can help you stay consistent in your method when you feel like giving up. Then, when you feel ready, you can reintroduce longer sessions and classes back into your practice.

When most people think of advancing their yoga practice, they imagine going to their studio three to four times a week. The truth is, you can make progress at home by developing consistency in your practice and stepping outside of your yoga comfort zone. Of course, once the pandemic ends, you’ll be able to attend in-person classes again. But, for now, the steps above are the best ways to thrive in your practice.