Your Home Yoga Sanctuary

Written By Kat Dawson

First things first. Dedicate a space in your home to devote to your yoga practice. Somewhere that you never have to move your mat from; your yoga ‘home’. Let it be known that this is a special place just for you. You can find the space, if you’re willing to think outside of the box – an unused landing in your house, a clear space in the basement, the guest bedroom that is rarely used, or the dining room that won’t see a meal until Thanksgiving.

Next, clear the clutter. Remove anything that does not serve you – rearrange the furniture, do what you have to do and then clean your space. Ah, a clean slate.

Bring in some calming elements – an oil diffuser, candles and houseplants are all good options. A piece of art that makes you smile, or maybe your journal if your practice inspires you to put your thoughts to paper.

Now that the space is ready, you’ll need some equipment.

1. Mat. If you plan to run a marathon, I’d imagine you’d invest in a good pair of running shoes. If you plan to practice yoga, I recommend you give it the same approach.

  • Lululemon 5mm Reversible Mat. This was my first piece of yoga gear that cost more than $9.99. My friend, Sam, gifted me this mat on my birthday, in my early 20’s. I still own this mat, and regularly flow on it. This mat is a great first investment into your practice. The 5mm mat provides cushioning, which is beneficial for new practitioners, and those with joint issues.  You can use both sides, but I only ever use the ‘shinier’ side. Note – if you use this mat daily, in a heated studio, it will lose its grip in time. If you plan to use this at home, you have a friend for years, if treated with care. (Link: Lululemon The Reversible Mat)

  • Liforme Yoga Mat. This is THE mat, in my opinion. This is THE mat in Liforme’s opinion, too, as it comes with a matching price tag…let’s just get that out of the way.  This mat is not only gorgeous, but it’s so functional. The grip on this mat is unmatched to any others I have used. The alignment markers are helpful for those that are visual in their learning. The mat thickness is ~4.2mm, which sounds close to 5mm – it’s not, it’s much firmer. I personally prefer this in my mat. They also always have really cool Limited Edition releases, and I’m a big fan of a unique mat. (Link: Liforme The Yoga Mat)

    • Cons:

      • Cost. They start at $140. Don’t get the travel option just to save money. Wait until you can get the real deal.

      • It wears out faster than other mats with frequent use. The absorbency is so high that over time, all that sweat it’s absorbing – yeah, it gets gross.

      • You have to unroll the mat after using it, in order for it to dry out. It’s kind of a pain in the ass.

      • The yoga bag it comes with sucks. Just toss it and get a strap.

  • Other Options. Target/TJ Maxx/Amazon will always have cheaper options. Often these options will look like some of their name brand competitors. Don’t go through trial and error; I’ve been there. If you want to invest in a mat, trust me and try Lulu or Liforme. Christmas Wish List anyone?

2.       Blocks

  • This is where you can turn to Amazon. I would recommend getting two blocks, to really use them at their highest functionality. Foam, cork, etc? To me, it makes no difference. I prefer the firmer, yet foamy blocks. (Link: Yoga Blocks)

3.       Strap

  • Another easy Amazon purchase. Not much to say here, it’s a strap. (Link: Yoga Strap)

4.       Space Heater

  • This is totally optional. I like to bring in the element of heat just to help my body get warmed into my practice, especially in the colder months. There are a million out there, and I don’t recommend one over the other. Search Amazon and find one that suits your needs.

5.       Miscellaneous

  • Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Mint Candles are my favorite. The scent is strong, but not overpowering. It’s calming, and perfect for the vibe. (Link: BABW Candles)

  • Water Bottle. This is my favorite, it goes everywhere with me. (Link: Iron Flask)

  • Bluetooth speaker. This is another ‘extra’ purchase, but I love to jam while I flow, and I like good sound quality. I use the Bose SoundLink Color II. Its compact, puts out great sound, and is weatherproof! Here is a link (its currently marked down, and the deal is great). (Link: Bose SoundLink Color II)

*LOL that I need to say this, but all opinions are my own, and nothing was sponsored. Maybe one day?!

Kat Dawson
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