How to Start (And Stay Committed) to a Home Yoga Practice

Yoga is for busy people too!! 

Have you ever told yourself, "I'll start doing yoga at home," only to find yourself skipping it day after day? 

Well, you're not alone. Many of us struggle with consistency and often doing the thing that we know our body and minds needs the most, seems like the hardest thing to remember to do! 

We put pressure on ourselves to do an hour long practice and can think that anything else just isn't worth it. But what if I told you that just five minutes a day could transform your practice and your well-being? 

Let’s explore how to set yourself up for success and shift your mindset so that yoga becomes a daily, effortless ritual. And remember - yoga is so much more than just physical, it's a way we connect to ourselves and the world, so there's lots of things you can do even when you don't have much time, or space!

1. Create Your Home Yoga Space

A dedicated space can make all the difference. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a corner where you can roll out your mat. (And if you don't use a yoga mat, have a pillow or blanket that is yours, and only yours. Helping to create something sacred for yourself.)

Here’s how to use your space to create the habit of yoga. 
✔ Keep your mat unrolled if possible – Or set up the night before if you like to yoga in the morning. Seeing it ready to go makes it more likely you’ll step or sit on it.

✔ Use what you have – No blocks? No problem! Use books. No bolster? Grab a pillow or 2.  Even a chair can support seated or modified poses.

✔ Make it calming – Add a candle, a small plant, or soft lighting to make it feel like your sanctuary.

2. Shift Your Mindset: Small Steps Over Perfection

One of the biggest obstacles to consistency is the belief that yoga “doesn’t count” unless it’s a long, sweaty session, or 20 min meditation. In reality, five minutes daily can be more powerful than one hour once a week.

Here’s why:

• It’s easier to commit to small habits.

• Daily movement and/or mindfulness rewires your brain for consistency.

• A short practice still shifts your energy, relieves stress, and mobilises/strengthens your body.

Try this: Commit to just five minutes a day. Once you start you may naturally want to continue longer. But even if you don’t, those five minutes will add up to real change!

3. Times to Practice Yoga & Their Benefits

Of course, this is totally subjective and the best time to practice yoga is always when YOU CAN!

But if you're starting out you may feel unsure about what is good to practice when, so here’s a rough guide on how different times of the day can serve you:

💛 Morning Yoga for Energy & Focus - A short session in the morning helps wake up your body, improve circulation, and set a positive tone for the day ahead. It can help clear your mind, increase focus, and leave you feeling refreshed.

💙 Midday Yoga for Reset & Balance - Midday yoga is great for recharging your energy. If you’re feeling sluggish, some energising breaths or movements can boost productivity. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a few calming stretches can bring you back to centre.

💜 After-Work Yoga for Stress Relief - Unwinding with yoga after work can help transition you from work mode to home life. Stretching and mindful breathing can release tension, making it easier to be present with your family or simply relax. Even just 5 breaths before you get out of your car can positively affect your nervous system. 

💚 Evening Yoga for Deep Sleep - A gentle evening practice soothes the nervous system, preparing you for restful sleep. Slow movements and deep breathing help relax the body and quiet the mind, promoting better sleep quality. And of course you can't beat a bit of bedtime Yoga Nidra. The most relaxing practice I've ever done!

4. Make It Fun & Flexible

Eventually I would try to find a routine that works for you, but when we're starting anything new it's great to have some fun and get curious about what works best for us personally. If your practice feels like a chore, it won’t stick. Give these a go. 

✨ Play music that uplifts you.

✨ Try lots of different styles and teachers. Make a note of your favourites. 

✨ Don’t stress about doing it “right” Exploring how your body feels IS YOGA. 

✨ Keep a journal to track how you feel and note down your favourite poses, meditations etc. 

5. Celebrate the Wins
Acknowledge your efforts!

We live in a world that is geared toward keeping us busy and distracted, so even 5 minutes of rest or movement is a win! When you recognise these small victories, your brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical that boosts motivation and helps cement new habits. The more you celebrate, (even if it’s just a mental high-five!) the more your brain learns that showing up for yourself feels good. Over time, these little wins add up, turning yoga into something you really want to do, not just something you think you should do.

A daily yoga practice doesn’t require an hour of free time, fancy props, or even a perfect space.

Just start small, stay consistent, and let your practice evolve.

And if you'd like some support for your home practice, check out my online membership. 

https://www.warriorheart.yoga/joinmembership

And let me show you how to choose and adapt different yoga practices to suit the life you are dreaming of living.

Let’s relax together, grow together, and have a lot of fun learning yoga!