While studying yoga with a teacher in a studio is the optimal way to practice, setting up a good, safe yoga practice at home is easy and very rewarding.
Yoga at Home: Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits
All the comforts of home--no special clothing, no drive-time, just you and your mat.
Practice any time--by doing yoga at home, you decide when you should practice; relying on class times becomes a thing of the past.
Save money--classes can be very expensive—so are all those outfits you’ll want in order to practice in public.
No embarrassment--if you don’t quite have the “yoga body” yet.
Stay at your own pace--work through the positions and asanas as slowly you need to.
Use all the props, straps and pillows that you may need to get into the position.
Use books, tapes, and DVDs--all of these media can be paused or replayed for understanding. Books, of course, usually offer you more than just the “how-to” of yoga.
Drawbacks
Nothing beats a good teacher--feedback on your form is important.
Assistance—having other practitioners around to help you get into your asanas is invaluable.
A sense of community--it’s always nice to be around like-minded individuals.
Motivation—simply put, it’s easier to motivate yourself to go to classes when you’re paying for them.
The best course of action is to combine your home practice with sessions in a class. Some studios and yoga teachers may have drop-in prices for their courses; others may not. Spending some time in a yoga class before starting your at-home routine is a very good idea. And, of course, you should discuss any new exercise program with your doctor, particularly if you have preexisting health issues.
Safety First!
Practicing at home does mean that safety is an issue. Inverted poses, such as headstands, and other complex poses should never be attempted at home. Always perform complicated positions under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor. Rest assured that there are plenty of challenging poses waiting for the safety conscious home-practitioner.