Motivating yourself to hit the gym or a yoga studio is not always easy. Even when you might have already paid or better, when there are others expecting you. No wonder that making yoga at home part of your routine, or other exercise for that matter, might seem like a ‘mission impossible’. But times are changing and an alternative approach to keeping fit is required.

Regular access to a gym or yoga studio can no longer be taken for granted. Increasingly more often, home practice is the only option available to us. At least it has been the case for me, ever since Frankie was born. If you find yourself in the same situation, or just want to include home practice into your wider exercise routine, read on. Here are my six tips that helped me make yoga at home a firm, and loved, part of every week. Today, it is a part that I always look forward to, and that I consider as normal as my morning cup of coffee or Frankie’s bedtime story.

6 tips for to make yoga at home stick:

1. Set a regular time and stick to it

The key to regularity is a routine. Regular exercise requires time and energy, and that is why we need to approach it in the same way we do any other appointment. The only difference is that this is an appointment with yourself. I have tried few alternatives and eventually settled on mornings, before the day starts. The reason is simple. There is less of a chance something ‘gets in the way’.

As soon as the day starts, things start competing for time with my exercising plan. Unplanned meetings, Frankie’s moods, calls, IT problems, and the list goes on. My time for yoga at home is before I even check my emails, before my phone starts to ring, before Frankie gets her 1000% energy mojo, and before millions other things threaten to derail my plans.

2. Set achievable goals

Big goals and ambitions are admirable. But when our goals are too ambitious, it is easier for us to find excuses. The length and frequency of your home practice is an example. Doing an hour and a half fitness routine each day might sound great, but is it realistic? Maybe one day, it will become your reality, but we are just at the beginning. Set yourself up for success. Set challenging, yet achievable goals.

I don’t exercise every day. I know that my Sunday mornings in bed, when I sip my coffee, watch Frankie jump around or play a theater with her soft toys, and plot the day ahead are too precious to swap for anything else. Intuitively I know I need to regenerate, and yoga at home five times a week does just that. I also know that 20 minutes is doable, and an hour would be too long on most days, and I’d fall off the wagon pretty soon.  Find the frequency and  timing that works for you and stick to it.

3. Put your sports gear on

It sounds small but trust me, it ain’t. Jumping out of bed straight on the mat might sound tempting, but your brain reacts differently when you show it you mean business. It will reward you and yoga at home with become part of your routine in no time. Rituals help us to develop habits, which in turn helps us to stay course. Home practice is no different. Also our bodies reacts to familiar stimuli. Changing into your exercise gear signals your body to get ready for physical exercise.

When you make a cup of coffee in the morning, you have a routine. You turn on the coffee machine or hot water kettle, find your favourite cup, maybe get a paper. Before you even take the first delicious sip, your brain sends a signal and your taste buds know what the coffee will taste like and they are ready. It is exactly the same with your fitness routine.

Not to mention that yoga pants and good quality top makes anyone look fantastic. You are a goddess and donning a high quality top and leggings will make you feel amazing before you manage to say Namaste.

4. Surround yourself with beauty

Create a space where you feel comfortable, at peace and where you can tune into your inner goddess. Although you don’t need the full shebang to practice at home, having a nice quality yoga mat, aromatic candle or some essential oils will help you get in the mood and focus your mind. Few people have a dedicated exercise room at home, but it is a luxury rather than necessity. Just work with what you have. It is your time (even though your kids might be climbing on your back and do running under your feet as you plunge into a downward dog), so make the most of it.

My little piece of heaven looks like this – in a small one bedroom place I dedicated the living area as my yoga sanctuary. I light up aromatic candle, put on some music, take out either a cork mat Sakura or suede Geisha mat and off I go.

Already the act of rolling out my yoga mat and lighting up an aromatic candle fills me with calm and transports me into a more harmonious, inter-connected world, when I am all and all is one. It might sound like a cliché but my body and mind know that it’s their time, and they reward me with a flood of endorphins and a feeling of calm and balance.

5. Be inspired

Just because you do yoga at home, or any exercise for that matter, doesn’t mean you are alone. The Internet is full of how to guides, video tutorials and live lessons. Use these to stick to your routine, sharpen your execution, stay healthy and focused. They also play an important role in introducing variety into your exercise regime. That is important to avoid boredom and so pre-empt excuses to skip a day.

When I exercise, my goal is to include the whole body and mind. That is why I love yoga. That doesn’t mean I do the same style of yoga, and even any yoga, every day. Sometimes I want to sweat so I rock Vinyasa, sometimes I feel it’s time for some Kundalini, and sometimes I do abs for 20 minutes. The world is your oyster. Don’t be afraid to spice it up to keep it interesting, whilst you stay focused on achieving your goals.

6. Don’t forget to stretch and truly feel the benefits

Leave a few minutes at the end to stretch and integrate the practice. Give your body a chance to  process your practice, calm down and start regeneration. Give yourself the time to fully reap the positive impact of your exercise and slowly transition to the next part of your day.

Savasana is the most important, yet often the most neglected part of yoga practice. Yoga at home is no different. Whilst I do not always practice yoga, I always end my exercise with stretching and few minutes of Savasana. I calm down, allow my breath and my pulse to slow down, become more mindful of my entire body, and then I open myself to accept the benefits of my practice. I often feel a floating sensation. It is almost as if I gave myself a healing hug as a reward for the effort of previous twenty minutes. With every breath, I declare my love for myself and reward myself for this love and the care I just received.

Regardless of your goal, yoga at home does not need to be something to be afraid of and to avoid. Instead, it can become a beautiful love letter to yourself. A part of the day you love and look forward to. Because you know you deserve to feel wonderful.