Why Practice Yoga at Home? • Yoga Basics

Home Yoga Practice: We all know we should, but why bother when we could only go to one class anyway? Lessons at the local studio are often easier, but practicing at home is more efficient and effective. Research shows that home practice promotes better health and wellbeing. It also saves money, boosts self-esteem, strengthens discipline, and encourages gaming and self-discovery.

Yoga at home improves overall health

A 2012 study suggests that the frequency and length of time you practice at home may be key to getting the most health benefits from your yoga practice. To conduct the study, the researchers distributed anonymous surveys to 4,307 randomly selected participants from 18,160 Iyengar practitioners in 15 Iyengar studios in the United States. The researchers measured the dimensions of physical, behavioral and psychological well-being.

Your results have been remarkable. Overall, it did not seem to matter how long the participants had been practicing yoga, but rather how often and how long they practiced regularly. Home practice, whether from asana, meditation, pranayama, or philosophy, was found to be an important predictor of many aspects of health, while attending class did not. Improvements included mindfulness, subjective well-being, fruit / vegetable consumption, and reductions in sleep disorders, BMI, and fatigue. Those most likely to practice yoga at home are also more likely to practice a wider range of yoga practices and may receive a wider range of benefits.

Because of the cross-sectional design of the study, this does not mean that practicing at home is necessarily more beneficial than practicing in class. For example, the individuals who were most likely to practice more at home in their studies may also initially have higher levels of self-motivation, mindfulness, etc., which helped them practice at home. However, we can also surmise that home practice promoted these traits. Future research should therefore examine these relationships over time.

The results of this study may seem pretty nonsensical. Since yoga classes can be difficult to take on a daily basis, a regular routine at home can thwart the usual excuses for not practicing (e.g., too tired, broke, or busy). It also projects a reminder of the importance of yoga practice – and all that goes with it – into the home environment, where many important decisions are made and your habits, good or bad, persist.

Other reasons to practice yoga at home

Have more time
One of the greatest benefits is saving more time on your hectic schedule. Not only do you save time driving to and from class, but you don't have to check in, wait for the instructor, and collect your props.
save money
Yoga classes are expensive, with the average cost in the US being $ 12 per class. Even buying optional props like yoga blocks, straps, or pads can save you a lot of money every month.
Deepen your self-esteem
Some may think that the presence of a yoga teacher helps make the practice more effective. However, the opposite can often be the case. The presence of a teacher can distract students and affect their ability to focus on their own bodies. Yoga creates self-confidence through exercise. You cannot gain this awareness by paying attention to someone else.
Increase your discipline and confidence
Every time you work the time out of your busy life and do a home routine, you build discipline and commitment to your self improvement. Tapas, or yogic willpower, is strengthened every time you do something that is challenging or difficult. The discipline, confidence, and inner strength that you cultivate in your home practice will directly affect your entire life.
Move at your own pace
In studio courses you are expected to follow along with the yoga teacher. At home, you don't have to wait for the boring parts or feel rushed by the juicy poses. Practicing at your own pace and rhythm is often more therapeutic, calming and healing.
Create your own sacred space
For me, the most important part of developing a home practice was creating a safe and sacred practice room. While you may not have the luxury of an exclusive space for it, you can designate an area of your home and use room dividers or other techniques to separate it from your normal surroundings. If kids, technology, or other distractions get your attention, hang a sign on the door or divider, set a timer, and clearly state that you're available in X minutes. Turn off all distractions and get ready for the sweet feeling of coming home.

Home and studio courses

If you want to practice at home but are still unsure whether you know enough postures or need more safety / alignment tips, adding yoga classes or private sessions is a great way to expand your knowledge base and practice at home to support. For advanced practitioners, a home-only practice can become stale. The continuous supplementation with courses, workshops and other experiences ensures continuous growth and further development.