As a mobile yoga teacher, I’m a huge proponent of being able to practice yoga asana (postures) anywhere, anytime. Home, office, backyard, park, hotel room, airport – wherever there is space for your 24″ X 72″ yoga mat.
Of course, it’s great to practice in a yoga studio and enjoy a serene environment with like-minded yogis. The reality is to practice yoga daily in a yoga studio requires much more than a yoga mat. For many it can feel more like a luxury that is a little out of reach. Huh?
You need time – and more than just the amount of “practice” time. For a 60 minute yoga class, you need to factor in your drive to/from the studio as well as time to find parking if you live in a city like DC. The truth is a 60 minute yoga class can take up close to 2 hours of most people’s already over-scheduled day.
Going to a yoga studio requires money. A drop-in at most studios can run $18-$20/ class. If you practice in D.C., it could be more given that the Washington, D.C. City Council recently voted in favor of implementing a 5.75% tax on health and wellness businesses including gyms, fitness clubs and yoga studios based in D.C. starting in 2015. More info can be find here on the Yoga Alliance’s website. Anyway, back to the point of this post…
Going to a studio also limits you to the studio’s schedule. Yes, there are many yoga studios that offer classes all day but coordinating childcare, office meetings, family obligations, etc. can add to the stress of trying to get to class on time. Special note: you shouldn’t feel stressed trying to get on your yoga mat!
Most importantly…if you always practice in a studio you miss lessons from your own best teacher —YOU! Being guided by a yoga teacher can offer you tips on alignment, breath and spirit, but often you can learn a lot from your inner teacher. When it’s you just moving at your own pace, in your own space, listening to your own rhythm and practicing at a time that feels best for your body, you begin to honor a deeper connection to yourSelf.
Don’t get me wrong. I love going to a local yoga studio 1-2 times/week to learn from other amazing yoga teachers. It’s also great to be free from distractions in my house as well as share space with other yogis. Though it’s equally great to be able to just unroll my mat when I feel like taking a few deep breaths and do a few stretches, especially those days when I only have 15-20 minutes to practice. I always say “some yoga is better than no yoga.”
I conclude sharing this article on how to be creative in finding a place to practice yoga in your home. We all have a little space for yoga, even if it isn’t 24″ x 72″. Find a space and commit to trying a home practice once a week. Trust me, you have so much to learn from YOU! Plus, just think of all the time, money and stress you’ll save yourself by simply practicing at home (or wherever besides a studio) a little more.