The ongoing threat presented by the novel coronavirus has caused many of us to upend our usual routines. This is particularly true in the case of fitness enthusiasts. For example, if you’ve grown accustomed to getting your daily workout at a gym, the onset of COVID-19 has likely shaken up your exercise regimen. The same rings true for yoga practitioners, many of whom enjoy engaging in their preferred fitness activity at studios. However, while practicing yoga at home may represent a bit of an adjustment, it needn’t cause you distress. Armed with the following pointers, you should have no trouble enjoying a fulfilling workout from the comfort and safety of your home.
Find the Ideal Exercise Space
As is the case with any home workout, finding the right exercise space is crucial to your success with yoga. When searching for the ideal place in which to practice yoga, look for an area that provides plenty of room in which to stretch. Furthermore, the space you select should be relatively quiet and conducive to relaxation and inner calm. If possible, try to avoid parts of your home that receive a fair amount of foot and traffic and are typically fairly noisy. If you live in a crowded area in which vehicles and foot traffic are abundant, seek out a space in which outside noise isn’t distracting.
Needless to say, this task is liable to prove much easier for some of us than others. For example, if you live in a large house, finding a secluded spot in which to hone your yoga abilities is going to be less daunting than it would be in a small apartment. Conversely, if your residence is on the smaller side, you may need to engage in some creative rearrangement to give yourself the yoga space you seek.
Filter Out Distractions
Since concentration and inner calm are essential to a good yoga experience, it’s in your best interest to filter out distractions during your exercise sessions. Of course, depending on your living situation, this may be easier said than done. For instance, if you live by yourself, you’re less likely to be as affected by distractions as someone living in a crowded household. By the same token, people living in bustling urban areas are likely to contend with a lot more outside noise than people in quieter locales.
If other members of your household are the source of most distractions, make a point of practicing yoga during hours of the day in which they’re preoccupied with other tasks. Engaging in your workout while your kids are busy with school or watching television can help reduce the risk of your yoga sessions being interrupted. Similarly, if exterior noise has proven itself a detriment to concentration, consider investing in soundproofing curtains. As the name suggests, these curtains are much thicker than traditional window dressings and offer a heightened degree of sound protection.
Procure the Right Tools
When looking for ways to get the most out of at-home yoga, make sure to invest in the right tools. For starters, your workout apparel should be comfortable, flexible and easy to stretch in. Secondly, you’ll need to acquire a resilient mat and high-quality yoga pillows. With the right tools by your side, you can pave the way for lasting success in your home yoga efforts.
Attend Virtual Yoga Classes
If you’re uneasy about practicing yoga without some level of instruction, consider attending virtual yoga classes. In addition to providing you with the structure you seek, this will ensure that you’re able to continue learning new techniques and stretches in a safe environment.
COVID-19 has put many of us in a tough spot. In order to behave in a socially responsible manner and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, we’ve made sweeping changes to our daily routines. While this may be inconvenient, it’s crucial to flattening the curve and preventing healthcare providers from becoming overwhelmed. Among other things, these changes entail moving our usual fitness routines from the gyms to our homes. Needless to say, this transition has proven easier for some people than others. Yoga enthusiasts having trouble making the jump from studio workouts to at-home workouts are sure to be well-served by the measures discussed above.
