The coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to many nonessential activities. The resulting change in routine, along with the added stress, has caused many of us to abandon the healthy habits that keep us centered and relaxed. Yoga, for example, is an excellent form of self-care that can bring a sense of calm to your life during these stressful times, but it can be hard to find the motivation to maintain your practice at home. Here are some affordable ways to keep your practice going—and take it to the next level—during the coronavirus quarantine.
Save on New Gear
While you don’t need anything to practice yoga, buying some new gear can give you the motivation you need to show up on the mat. Start with a good yoga mat and some comfortable clothing. You could even get some straps and blocks to add an extra element of challenge to your practice or extend your reach in those trickier poses. Look for online deals to keep your purchases under budget. You should be able to find promo codes, coupons, and cashback opportunities for nearly any major retailer you shop from!
Make Your Own Props
Yoga props aren’t just for beginners. Even the most experienced yogis can use props to enhance their practice. If you don’t want to spend money on props, look around your home for some free alternatives! For example, Tucson Yogi recommends using household items like large books or family-sized soup cans as yoga blocks. You can use a bathrobe sash or a strong scarf as an impromptu yoga strap, and a couch cushion or folded comforter will work well as a yoga bolster. Get creative and see what you come up with!
Find Free Yoga Videos Online
Unless you’re a yoga pro, coming up with your own sequences can be challenging. Take advantage of free yoga videos for guidance during your at-home practice! There are numerous great yoga channels on YouTube, including Yoga with Adriene, Ekhart Yoga, and SarahBethYoga. Besides YouTube, you can also find collections of free yoga videos on fitness websites and yoga blogs.
Grab Some Fun Apps
Apps are another great source for yoga routines and motivation. Verywell Fit recommends free or low-cost yoga apps like Yoga Studio, Down Dog, FitStar Yoga, and Daily Yoga. Many of these apps will enable you to customize your yoga practice with different sequences for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Certain yoga apps even let you set practice schedules, daily reminders, and long-term goals that can help you stick with your practice during the quarantine and beyond.
Create Space in Your Home
Doing yoga in a bustling home environment is far from relaxing. Make sure you have a serene space in your home where you can practice away from the distraction of clutter and household noise. If you don’t have a spare room, a quiet corner of your bedroom could work well. You just might have to do some decluttering to make space. This is a great opportunity to sort through your belongings and sell anything you no longer want for some cash! You can use the proceeds from anything you sell to buy yoga props or treat yourself to new yoga clothes.
Doing yoga at home is a great way to save money on your practice. Make the most of the coronavirus lockdown to get comfortable with your at-home practice so you can keep it going even after the studios reopen. Clear out space for your mat, invest in a few affordable tools, and take advantage of free technology to grow your yoga practice from the comfort of home!
About The Author
Sheila Johnson
Sheila Johnson left the corporate world and long hours behind to start her own business. The newfound freedom and flexibility enabled her to prioritize her health by practicing a daily self-care routine. She created WellSheila.net as a place to not only share her story, but inspire others to put their physical and mental health first with a regular wellness routine and daily self-care.
