The beautiful thing about practicing yoga in the comfort of your own home is that you can tumble out of bed and onto the mat with a minimum of fuss. Wear a tank top and loose cotton pajama pants, or a pair of boxers, or nothing at all; as long as you are comfortable, any of these options are perfect for yoga. You should not wear clothing that is tight or restrictive; loose light cottons and cotton blends are ideal. No shoes needed, either, so kick off those bunny slippers; bare feet are best for yoga.
Your Home Practice Checklist
In order to practice yoga at home you should have the following:
A relatively large, uncluttered space. You should at least have enough room to lay flat with arms and legs outstretched, with at least two feet of space open by your head, hands and feet. This is very important; yoga requires enough concentration, having to carefully maneuver between the ottoman and the potted plant just complicates the situation more.
A good, high-quality sticky mat. Some yogis prefer cotton mats; however, for home practice, a sticky mat is the best option. Sticky mats help keep your hands and feet from sliding, thus preventing accidents and strains. When purchasing a mat, keep the surface of your practice space in mind. If you are on carpet, you probably won’t need a deluxe, extra thick mat.
Props. One of the best attributes of practicing yoga in your own space is increased access to props. Have at least one block, a strap, and a folded blanket or bolster—or two—near your workout space. Blocks are wonderful for deep stretches; when your hands don’t quite reach the floor using a block can give you the same benefit of the stretch while giving plenty of stability. Straps and bolsters both can enhance a stretch and help you keep proper form. Folded blankets can double as bolsters or can be useful to keep the body warm during relaxation. Some practitioners also find that a stability ball is a welcome addition to their yoga routines. These inflatable balls come in a variety of different sizes and can assist in deepening back-bends and correcting form.
Yoga instruction materials. Whether you use DVDs, VHS tapes or books, you’ll want them handy.