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I've been practicing yoga for over 25 years now. I started in high school, back when it was an exotic practice and not as common as the corner gym. The connection between my mind, body and breath was so important to me to make at that time in my life, and it's influenced me ever since.
Thanks to yoga, I am more attuned to the messages my body is sending me-aches, pains, fatigue-and it's up to me to listen. It has helped me to develop a deeper spiritual practice. For me, meditation is as important as asana (pose). Everything is interconnected through the breath.
On my yogic journey, an integral part of it has been my at home practice. Sometimes it's because I wasn't able to attend classes at a studio, other times it was size shame and even more I needed to work on something to get me through the darkness. At home practice requires discipline. It is a great way to develop consistency. It is about dedication.
But where to start?
I begin my mornings with setting an intention for the day. Sometimes it's a verse of scripture, other times its a simple word like peace or joy, other times it's a mantra connecting me to the universe. It helps you focus and ground yourself for the rest of the day.

I do a series of sun salutations to get the blood flowing.

Most days, I have a basic flow of a warrior series. My students are well aware of my love of warrior. For me, it's about connectedness-when you dig your feet into your mat, stand tall and stretch through your finger tips, opening your chest, you are a warrior. Your breath, your long lines and most importantly your focus are all one.

I've had students and others ask me what poses make up a good home practice. I structure my classes on a pyramid flow: you start with a wide base and work to an intense moment. My home practice is the same. Warrior variations working to a balancing pose, that challenges me is my particular favorite. I start standing and work my way down to a boat or camel pose.i struggle in a public setting with both of these (a former teacher used to half jokingly chide me about tightness and needing to let go) so closing my practice in the relative safety of home makes sense.

Thanks to you tube, there are literally thousands of yoga videos you can use to develop a home practice.

I always close my practice with meditation, because that's a key part of my practice. Again, if you aren't comfortable with the thought of meditation, you tube has some great resources.

Beginning a home practice isn't choosing between a studio or not, to me it's about rounding out your practice. It's a chance to build on something that you might have learned in class or working on something that at that moment was important for you.

If you've done yoga at home, leave a comment below or join in on the discussion on our Facebook page, the Mommydom Chronicles. Check out the yoga Pinterest boards that were created too by the Mommydom Chronicles.

Namaste