Practice Makes Perfect: Sticking to a Yoga Routine at Home

Source: Practice Makes Perfect: Sticking to a Yoga Routine at Home

Building a home yoga practice can be a beautiful gift, but making it stick can be a little overwhelming. For beginners, getting hands-on attention from a teacher is your best bet for a strong foundation, but if you're strapped for cash, there's no need to cut down on your yoga. Both seasoned students and newbies can benefit from these tips to create a sustainable home practice.

• Start slow: There's no need to dive into a 45-minute sequence from the get-go. Start with just 15 or 20 minutes when creating your home practice. You'll be more likely to stay committed to your new routine if the length of your practice doesn't seem so daunting. Start with our 20-minute total-body yoga sequence.
• Timing's everything: Every day, do your best to hit your mat at the same time. Whether you go for first thing in the morning or once you're home from work, starting a stable routine will train your mind to crave yoga time. You also won't have the excuse about where to find the time to practice if it's seamlessly built into your busy schedule.
• Pick poses wisely: A great yoga teacher once told me to choose two poses I love and one I hate when building a practice at home. The ones you love will have you feeling confident and graceful, but the ones we hate are the ones our bodies need the most!
• Create a sacred space: Make a sweet home for your practice. Whether it's a corner of your bedroom, a section on your living room floor, or even your back porch, find a place where you'll have ample room for your mat and for fluid movement. Consider lighting a candle or two to kick up the ambience a notch. See tips for setting up a yoga space at home here.