It's great to be able to roll out of bed and onto the mat ready to tune in for your early morning yoga class online. It's amazing that you don't have to worry about finding someone to mind the kids whilst you hop in the car and speed down and back from the local yoga studio and it's great that you don't have to worry about the traffic when you can do yoga in your PJ's from the comfort of your own home. I have a few tips below to make the most out of your Yoga at Home practice right now.
Light a candle
Set up your space nicely, candles are great for making the space feel warm and calm. Maybe you have an oil burner that you can add some essential oils to or light some incense. Make it feel like a calm and relaxing space for yourself. This is your time for you.
Play some music
Most online yoga classes especially if they are live might not have music playing at the same time, so play your own. Spotify has hundreds of Yoga Music playlists as does youtube, or maybe you have a relaxing music CD you got as a Christmas present years ago. Well now is the time to put it on in the background and totally chill.
Heres a lovely playlist to get you started on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cTsyoQ
Improvise with Props
Toilet rolls are a good alternative for yoga blocks believe it or not. I bet your glad you stocked up on them now! Kitchen roll might be even better if you want a bit of height or that sturdy big Atlas or Bible book you might have lying on the bookshelf. For yoga bands, a standard school tie or work tie would work well, or the belt from your dressing gown, even some wool, rope or for some of you a sports resistance band or the tie around your yoga mat would all do the job. Cushions from the sitting room or just your bed pillow for sitting on and for that final savasana I think you can most definitely wrap yourself up in your Disney Duvet cover!
Invite the family
Doing Yoga at home online means you can definitely invite your partner or your kids to join you for your class. It might be nice for everyone to relax and feel calm and connected together. Set up your mats beside each other and place the phone, tablet or laptop out in front so you can all see.
Don't Invite the family
I'm half joking here and I'm half not joking. Maybe your yoga practice is your alone time, your self-care time for you and you alone. If that's the case, close the door, put up a do not disturb sign or tell your family for the next 40 minutes or the next hour, you are going to be in your room or the sitting room or wherever and you'd love a little bit of quiet time for yourself. After that you can promise to bake cookies or watch netflix with them. ;)
Be Mindful
Most yoga teachers will always tell you to go at your own pace, and when you're doing a class online it's even more important that you are really mindful of how you are moving your body. Most yoga injuries happen during the transitions between postures so if you are unsure of how to get in or out of a posture, slow down, take your time and listen or watch the teacher. Yoga is not a competition. A positive thing for some people doing class online is switching your video off and not feeling like you are being watched or judged by other class members. I've put feeling in bold becasue the chances are high that nobody is watching or judging you but I understand people can feel that way. Keeping your video off during online classes is absolutely fine and totally acceptable but because the teacher can't see you, be mindful of what you are doing and if you have any questions after the class about postures, drop the teacher an email or text to ask, I'd be happy to help and I'm sure other teachers will be too. And Finally, make sure you breathe and enjoy it. It's your yoga practice.
Grá Mór
Orlaith