Setting up a home practice
I was recently asked by a student and friend if I had any advice or support I could offer her as she is taking on a teacher training this fall.
I am choosing to share part of that conversation with you, because I think it’s a good opportunity to talk about cultivating a home practice. This could be particularly relevant to you, if you are looking to start or continue your regular yoga practice. I know it’s potentially been tough to find the focus and the discipline to create the mental and physical space by keeping up with a home practice.
A big part of what kept me going to the yoga studio both as a student and a teacher, is because of the community that is created around it. I can understand how it could be hard to find motivation when a sense of community can feel lost.
As you may know, I'm big on setting intentions, creating rituals and connecting to spaces that ground and inspire me and passing that sensibility along in my classes.
Although you may not be participating in a teacher training soon, if you feel inspired to connect to your personal practice more, one of the easiest ways you can do this is by creating a home practice space/ or an altar. An altar is a space which is a center of ritual and devotion.
My first assignment in my teacher training 7 years ago, was to create an altar space. This of course is not tied to any religion, but it's simply a way to make an intangible practice more tangible. It's a visible reminder of the space you've carved out so that you can connect to it. It’s harder to ignore such a space when you walk by it. An altar is a place you can check in and connect with yourself and practice self care. Soon enough, whenever you glance at this space, you'll associate it with positive feelings and an urge to practice that soon becomes a habit.
Every new space I've moved to, I've made sure to set up my altar/home practice space first. It's one of the simplest things I can do that makes me feel like home. Here are some recommendations:
- Pick a spot that inspires you.
- Bring an offering such as fresh flowers or fruit.
- Decorate it with anything that inspires you, such as stones, crystals and plants.
- Burn a candle when you start or end your practice.
- Burn incense, sage, palo santo, or simply take in an essential oil that you really enjoy as part of your mindfulness session.
- If you have a singing bowl, you can use it as part of your practice to uplift the energy, change the atmosphere.
- Another idea is to create a theme for your altar, perhaps around a color or an element you really connect with.
I hope you enjoy the process of creating your altar as much as your practice. I’ll be writing about some ideas on how to use this space, such as setting intentions and simple ways to check in with yourself and how to personalize your practices.
Enjoy!