light, plants, and patience, are your friends…
If the pandemic has given you an appetite for practicing your downward dogs solo (and not having to queue up for the showers in the changing rooms) a home yoga studio is a good investment. Some top studios and brands offer inspiration for our own home yoga studios. Expect zen wallpapers, lots of light and of course, plenty of plants.
Which Room is Best for a Home Yoga Studio?
Credit: Re:Mind Studio
Ideally, one with plenty of light. Look for a room with high ceilings, and either tall windows or skylights. ‘Natural light is desirable as this creates a calm and peaceful mindset for the student,’ says Genny Wilkinson Priest, Yoga Director at Triyoga. ‘Also ensure that the space is free of clutter as this helps remove distractions’ (yes, that means ditching the phone). If you’re pressed for space you can still create at home yoga studio vibes with clever lighting tricks (like Nanoleaf’s Canvases – featuring a ‘sunrise mode’). Cosier lighting creates a gentle atmosphere which can double as a meditation cave, or for more soothing yoga practices like kundalini and yin. ‘A small space can often lead to a more intimate environment for practice,’ suggest the experts from Hampshire-based Heckfield Place’s Bodyism studio. ‘We encourage clients to see what speaks to them, and go with their intuition.’
Best Flooring for a Home Yoga Studio?
Credit: Sunbrella
Hardwood floors are the traditional choice for a yoga studio. Wood helps to absorb shock, in addition to being barefoot friendly and non-skid with the right mat. If you’re lucky enough to be building a home yoga studio from scratch, try the Natural Wood Floor Company. Not only are their aged oak and engineered oak floors beautifully stylish, they’re also perfect for a yoga practice. For something a little softer, Alternative Flooring’s Barefoot Hatha Sanskrit carpet is made from 100% natural un-dyed wool, and an eco-friendly option. ‘A natural jute rug or wooden flooring is ideal,’ suggests Yulia Kovaleva, founder of Re:Mind studio. ‘I would avoid any stone as it tends to get cold.’
Creating the Right Atmosphere
When it comes to choosing paints, colours and wallpapers for your yoga studio, don’t feel like you have to go all-out beige. ‘Bring together your favourite colours, textures, materials, artwork, plants and books,’ says Yulia, ‘I like to include favourite print or artwork, cup of rose herbal tea and a candle or essential oils.’ A touch of soothing blue or emerald green injects vibrance and energy into a room for a re-invigorating practice. For smaller spaces, white floors or exposed painted brick are good tricks to create an illusion of space and tranquility. Take note from Cole & Son’s palm prints and stripes, combined here with plants and wicker furniture to create a soothing environment and feeling of unity and continuity with the outdoors
Get Green
Unsurprisingly, plants make a great addition to a home yoga studio. ‘Heckfield’s hues always reflect the super, natural world – bringing the outside in whenever possible and in a seamless way,’ say Heckfield Place’s Bodyism team. If you have some outdoor space, you could also try ‘re-earthing’ by practicing outdoors or among trees. Short of the garden space? A more city-living friendly alternative is pot plants: not only do they reduce carbon dioxide and airborne dust, but a greater sense of connection to nature helps boost serotonin levels and reduce stress. ‘Bringing the outside in through plants can help you feel grounded but also they are great air purifiers.’ Says Kat Pither, founder of eco-friendly yoga mat and accessory brand, Yogi-Bare. ‘Bringing nature indoors helps you feel grounded and increases oxygen levels, giving us a wellbeing boost. Plus is pretty cool to know they are inhaling and exhaling alongside us!’
Roll Up for Wallpapers
Bored with white walls? When it comes to choosing a wallpaper for your home yoga studio: thanks to the rising trend for cosmic, multicoloured wallpapers and water-colour style murals, you can easily incorporate some fun. Create feature wall with galactic prints and swirling colour – or perhaps soothing scudding clouds are more your pace?
Finishing Touches
While less is generally more for a home yoga studios, natural materials and textures are ideal to add a little extra something to your space. De-cluttering your space should be prioritized, but a hanging chair to cocoon in enhances the Balearic vibe (and just imagine how relaxing your Savasana would be). If you want to go all out, you could also add a Mandala wall mural. In Hindu and Buddhist rituals, this sacred symbol is a visual tool that helps focus attention. ‘In a studio the key senses to focus on are sight, sound and smell,’ say Bodyism studio. ‘Make the space look beautiful with candles and low lighting. Play meditative music to inspire the mind to switch off and, where possible, use incense or aromatherapy oils to encourage relaxation.’
Country & Town House July 2022 (Sofia Tindall)