By Sheila Johnson
Yoga is a very popular form of exercise, and once you experience the benefits for yourself, it’s easy to see why. Coupled with good nutrition, yoga can help you fall asleep faster, alleviate chronic pain, and reduce stress and anxiety.
But can you still practice yoga effectively while social distancing or quarantining? Thankfully, the answer is yes. You can continue your practice from home no matter your budget. Whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve already fallen in love with yoga, here’s how to improve your at-home practice with the right tools and technology while sticking to a budget.
1. Get Affordable Gear
If you want to take your practice up a notch, you may need to purchase some additional gear. For example, stretching and holding poses with resistance bands can improve your flexibility.
Thankfully, you can enjoy substantial discounts and save money on yoga equipment by shopping through online retailers. Whether you need comfortable apparel, a new yoga mat, or helpful props like straps, blocks, or wheels, using coupons and finding cashback deals are great ways to save.
2. Find a Good Yoga Instructor
Working with a well-trained yoga teacher is necessary if you want to improve in the long run, but with many studios closed for COVID-19, you may have to find an instructor to work with online. Try out a few different teachers to see who you click with.
If you can’t afford online membership fees, try checking out free yoga videos on YouTube from qualified instructors teaching full-length classes. This is generally the most cost-effective option, and you’ll enjoy the same quality of instruction!
3. Set Up a Space at Home
With your discounted equipment, you can set up a cozy yoga space right at home to practice yoga during the pandemic.
Maybe you have some extra room in your home office, or you can dedicate a corner of your bedroom to yoga. When you’re practicing at home, you can follow along with online instructional videos. Designating an area for your yoga practice can encourage you to get on the mat each day!
Whichever space you choose, make sure it’s organized and decluttered, as a disorganized and cluttered area can boost your anxiety and stress levels. Obviously, this is the last thing you want in your yoga space!
4. Work Toward Realistic Goals
No matter where you’re practicing, stay focused on your own yoga journey by setting realistic goals that you can achieve with regular effort. Spending time on social media can make it feel like you need to attend costly yoga retreats, sign up for extra workshops, or put in hours to learn to hold difficult poses, but taking small steps toward self-improvement is just as valuable.
Simply use a fitness tracking app or specific yoga app on your phone to set weekly or monthly goals, and spend a little time each day focusing on these goals. You can also try setting non-fitness goals related to your yoga practice, like working toward being more mindful in your daily life.
5. Try Meditating
At the end of a yoga session, it’s all too easy to simply let your thoughts wander without trying to stay present. But meditating as you relax in that final pose can enhance your practice. Meditating has many benefits for your physical and mental health—it can help with everything from regulating emotions to lowering your blood pressure.
Need some guidance to start your mindfulness practice? Check out the My Best Self 101 mindfulness module.
Even though you may be social distancing or quarantining, you still have opportunities to delve deeper into your yoga practice. Remember, yoga is about looking within and feeling good in your body, and you don’t need to go to a fancy studio or purchase a pricey mat to reap the benefits.