How to start a Yoga Home Practice.

A few tips as to how you can start your own Yoga Home Practice.

Only seven weeks to go till I depart for London! My 200hr teacher trainers course with YogaLondon starts on the 1st June. One of the suggestions from the college was that I start my own home yoga practice. Since I will be covering 200hrs of practical and theoretical training in just four weeks, I think it was a valid suggestion! A home practice not only familiarises routines but builds stamina, strength and flexibility. All of which are keys aspects to ensure that I am as prepared as I possibly can be when I get to London.

Here are some useful tips that helped me to introduce a yoga practice in the comfort of my own home.

  1. I still attend regular classes with certified instructors.
  2. I am constantly exploring various YouTube videos and yoga sites.
  3. When it comes to more advanced yoga poses, I try to attend workshops or specific classes to learn the basic techniques and sequences. You should never just break into a headstand or crow pose, aside from your body, your mind needs to be properly warmed up before attempting any of the more complex poses. Check out www.yogaworks.co.za for upcoming workshops.
  4. I learnt the hard way that head stands should be done in a safe space, if you don’t have a buddy, make use of a wall!
  5. Even though I am in the comfort of my own home, I still rock my yoga gear and make sure if anything, I at least look the part of an accomplished yogi 🙂
  6. I am fortunate to live in an airy, spacious apartment with an outdoor balcony overlooking the Johannesburg Gas Works. I find practicing outdoors in an airy, bright and zen atmosphere keeps me motivated. I am not a fan of incense and burning candles but it’s important to find what works for you. Chose a space with no distractions, away from your cellphone, TV and any clutter.
  7. I know for many people they prefer to wake up and jump straight on their mats. My first clients start as early as 530am. So that option definitely doesn’t work for me. I have odd gaps in the day between clients that allow me time on the mat. Some days I manage flexibility work, some days it’s Sun Salutations combined with foam roller exercises and other days I try to conquer my fear of being upside down in head stands.
  8. My husband is great at finding new, alternative music to play in the background while I train.

Let’s hope all my efforts pay off when I get there!