How to: Create an at-home yoga space

It’s no wonder the ancient art of yoga has become so popular today. Among many other reasons, for people who want to maintain a fitness routine but find higher-impact workouts more uncomfortable than in our younger years, an hour of yoga a day provides surprisingly efficient physical benefits -- in strength, flexibility and heart health. But it’s the spiritual, mental-relaxation benefits that make yoga the ideal routine for a busy modern life. Regular yoga practice not only releases the tension that builds up over the course of your day, but it actually trains you (physically, mentally and spiritually) to withstand everyday stress in a more healthy way.

Many of us practice yoga in a group setting at a gym or studio, but there are real benefits to supplementing (or even replacing) your studio sessions with home practice. Even if you follow a DVD or instructional book, creating your own individual routine helps you get in touch with the inner peace that lies at the heart of the practice, helping you discover your own chi or inner spirit.

To practice yoga at home, all you really need is a mat and enough space to move freely in 360 degrees. But creating an inviting, comfortable spot, whether it’s a spare room or a corner of a room, that you can dedicate to yoga, will go a long way towards helping make your practice more intimate and more fulfilling.

What to wear
First, consider your yoga clothing. Loose, natural-fibre pieces such as a T-shirt or tank and yoga pants are ideal, since they breathe and allow unrestricted movement, but some practitioners prefer more form-fitting clothing, since it allows you to easily check your alignment. Bare feet or socks with some form of grip on the soles are preferable to shoes or regular socks.

Flooring
Ideally, your yoga space should have a hard floor, such as wood, rather than a carpet. This makes it easier to hold balance poses, and natural materials such as wood and stone create an earthbound connection that enhances the spiritual element of your practice. However, some practitioners feel carpeted floors are safer should you fall. Your yoga mat should be thick enough to provide cushioning and traction during your practice. Synthetic mats are less expensive than those made from natural materials.

Remove clutter
Remove all clutter from your yoga space. Walls should be unadorned or hung with simple, uncomplicated artwork that sets a peaceful tone. Avoid wallpaper or strong colours, which can interfere with concentration. The addition of a large mirror will help you check your posture and can also assist in balance poses.