Creating a Personal Yoga/Meditation Space (and Challenge Update)!
So it’s been two weeks since my post about the yoga and meditation challenge, and here’s my update: I’ve fallen off the wagon multiple times.
On days when time has seemed insufficient and the tasks plentiful, it’s been all too easy for me to put off what is supposed to be my daily ritual - something that will actually help me manage those crazed workdays - until “later”, which only means it doesn’t happen at all. “Later” ends up coming and then going just as quickly.
But hey, I’m only human! So I’ll be extending my 30-day challenge an extra week to make up for past and future missed days.
In the meantime though, for those of you who are interested in starting the 30-day challenge, or in taking up a home yoga and/or meditation practice, here’s a post to help you create that sacred space to aid in your practice!
How to Create a Personal Yoga/Meditation Space
Pick a space. It can be in your home, at your office/workplace, or any other place where you think you’ll be able to practice regularly, and undisturbed. It can be as small as a simple corner space, or take up an entire room. Whatever you have available.
Depending on the size of your space, work in the elements that’ll make your area conducive to your practice. Things I personally enjoy and think are great to have in your space include:
An altar - just a small table or bench where you can place candles, incense or aromatherapy, flowers, inspiring imagery/figurines, or anything else you’d like to look at to help promote a sense of calm and connectedness. Mentally, it’ll serve as an anchor - something for you to face and meditate towards or remind yourself of what your intentions are.
Wall art - Again, this is to help remind yourself of your practice intentions and to help inspire you. This can be traditional art, or something like a gratitude board, where you can write down positive affirmations and things you’re grateful for. I enjoy putting something visual above my small, low altar, to further increase the sense of calm and purpose while I’m meditating in particular.
Meditation pillows/cushions. You’ll need something to sit comfortably on while in meditation pose. Test out things in-store. You don’t want to invest in a pretty cushion, only to find that it’s extremely soft and provides no support whatsoever once you’re trying to get into your ideal meditation pose.
A yoga mat and other equipment you’d like to use during your practice, or if you intend on using the space as a small workout area as well.
- And these are more on the optional side:
- A Himalayan salt lamp
- A plug-in, machine, or outlet for you to play music
- A yoga or meditation journal to write down your progress, thoughts, etc, after each practice
After selecting the elements you’d like in your space, map out where you’d like each item to go, and the maximum space it can occupy. For example, if you only have a corner, then your option of having a table for an altar might be replaced by using a corner shelf instead, and then decorating the wall space around it. When I proposed creating a wellness room at the company I work for, I created a little floor plan beforehand (scroll down to see) to show where I had planned to put everything, and the elements I thought would be beneficial. It had to be on the corporate side in decor, and adhere to a budget, but I managed to make it all work.
Speaking of budget and decor - you’ll need to decide on yours. How much additional money do you want to spend on your new space (is there anything you currently have that you can use?), and what colour and print palette will you base everything on? The room I had to work with had a previously painted light-yellow accent wall, and I had an old black futon that I wanted to donate, so I decided on yellow, white, grey, and black as my colour palette, accented by live plants and simple, calm imagery. (see sample images below)
Start comparison shopping - online at first (it’s easier and more efficient), then in stores once you’ve decided on which places might best carry what you’re looking for. For the office wellness room, I online shopped at Walmart, Ikea, Canadian Tire, and Bed Bath and Beyond. In person, I checked out Winners/HomeSense for more personal or unique pieces at affordable prices.
Once you’ve found all your desired pieces, decorate your space, revel in all its glory, and start putting it to good use!
Here is the sample floorplan I created when planning the wellness room, as well as the decor after I was done. By keeping it simple, it allows people to move freely within (if exercising), as well as encourage a clear and open mind (important when meditating), and because this was designed for an entire office and the employees who work there, the design theme isn't so specific to be off-putting to some.
So that's it! Hope you've enjoyed this post. For more yoga/meditation space inspiration, check out our Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/turnoverhealth/inspiration-yogameditation-space/
In the meantime, some inspiration eye-candy:
Keep on THRIVING!
Teenna