One of the easiest ways to bring more attention and time to your home practice is dedicating a space for yoga and meditation.  Choose a space big enough for your yoga mat, a meditation cushion, maybe some props and an object to focus on during meditation.  It can be a candle, a buddha, or a picture.  Just something that reminds you to feed your soul and lets you practice drishti, which is focusing your gaze during your yoga or meditation practice.

I have a corner in my bedroom which is oriented east and west.  In the morning I face east and move my buddha in front of me, and in the evening I place my mat facing west, and move the buddha and candle against the wall.

If you have a pet, and your pet is calm, you may find they love your yoga space too…in my case, Paco makes for a convenient and relaxing prop. 🙂

And, a tip for parents…if you have young kids in the house, invite them into your yoga space and teach them that it’s a place of reverence and quiet.  Invite them to sit with you and maybe chant OM.  This is a great thing before bed.  I taught my daughter at a young age to respect my yoga space.  When I first created it she thought it looked fun and wanted to play with my props and statues but, she quickly learned that these were for looking at with our eyes, to help bring quiet and peace into my yoga and meditation practice.  When she sees me meditating she will sometimes just step in quietly and sit next to me…it’s awesome. 🙂

Create your yoga space to increase your awareness and mindfulness to your yoga practice and meditation practice.  Notice how much just SEEING your yoga mat and your decorated yoga space gently invites you to take your seat.  Namaste… – Yogamama Meels