Making Space: Creating a Home Sanctuary for Mindfulness and Yoga

I recently had the honor of sharing some of my favorite ideas for creating a home yoga and mindfulness space with Redfin, a national real estate company.  If you’d like more inspiration from me and other experts in the field, you can read the full feature at Setting Up a Zen Meditation Space at Home | Redfin(Parent company of ApartmentGuide and Rent.).

 In this article, I’ll walk you through some simple ways to design a space that feels personal, peaceful, and easy to maintain.

When your days are full of responsibilities and commitments, the idea of making time for yoga and meditation may seem like one more thing on an endless to-do list. Finding the time – and the space – to practice may feel out of reach. But when you make it easy to begin, you’re far more likely to make the time to reset.

Even a quiet 10 minutes can work wonders.

Creating a peaceful corner in your home can become an invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect.  It may help to think of it a transitional space – a place to disconnect from the day that’s behind you and reconnect to yourself.

Like many people, I love having the option of practicing yoga at home. It’s something I’ve done for years, and it has allowed me to learn from a diverse range of teachers and to practice at times that fit naturally into my life. Sometimes that's early in the morning, but often it's later in the evening, when the day is winding down.

As I mentioned, I was recently invited to share some of my favorite ideas for creating a home yoga and mindfulness space with Redfin. You can read the full article, and explore inspiration from over a dozen other experts, here: Setting Up a Zen Meditation Space at Home | Redfin(Parent company of ApartmentGuide and Rent.) Reflecting on that experience made me think even more deeply about how the spaces we create at home can meaningfully influence the way we live and practice.

Here are my tips for creating your own space.

Begin with your intention

Reflect on why you are choosing to create a space for yoga and mindfulness. Do you want to feel calmer, to reconnect or recenter, or is it more about movement? Maybe it’s all of the above. When your “why” is clear, then the design of your space will begin to flow naturally.

Choose Your Space

Often simpler is better. A corner, an overlooked nook, or even a small spot near a window can become your soft landing place. As you choose your space, focus on how you want it to feel — peaceful, supportive, energizing, or simply a place where you can breathe more easily. Take your time and discover what feels right for you.

Create a sanctuary

Lighting, cozy touches, and something personal can make the space feel nurturing. Although it may be tempting, try to avoid unnecessary clutter. You want to have room to move, to stretch, and to sit comfortably without distraction.

Honor your senses

Bring in elements that center and support you. A diffuser with a calming scent can add a gentle layer of relaxation, and a small speaker can allow you to play music or soothing sounds if that feels grounding.

Start Small and Let It Evolve

You don’t have to create the perfect space overnight. This is about taking care of yourself and giving yourself a place to center and reconnect. Begin with what you have. Over time, both your practice and your space can evolve to meet you where you are.