There is a peaceful sense of bliss you feel upon entering your favorite yoga studio. It doesn’t matter if you battled LA rush hour traffic to get there or walked in after the most stressful day of work. Your favorite studio elicits a feeling of calm and ease – preparing you immediately for a yoga practice that only further elevates those emotions.

However, you don’t have to leave your house to create your own sacred space for yoga. By partitioning off an area in your home and designating it to your practice, you’ll inspire yourself to get onto the mat regularly and enjoy your practice more.

Follow these 5 tips to create the perfect yoga space.

1. Choose the right space: make sure that your yoga mat can comfortably fit in the space, along with your props. And think about the lighting you typically prefer for your practice – sparsely lit areas or with natural light. Don’t fret if you don’t have the ideal conditions at your disposal! You can always bring in a lamp to add lighting or draw a curtain to set a more romantic mood. Also make sure your space has a flat surface, which is beneficial for balancing poses.
2. Thoughtfully accessorize: You want to be intentional about the feeling you want the space to elicit. So, if the color red makes you super fired up – maybe you steer clear of it. I suggest bringing in plants, such as a snake plant (they’re so easy to care for!) or a money tree. As well as your favorite crystals. If crystals are new to you, you can’t go wrong with an Amethyst Cluster, which helps offer protection, promote spiritual connection and ease stress.
3. Invest in props: Props help you get more out of your practice. If you’ve never used props outside of a class, know there are tons of YouTube videos that you can use to help you get familiar while in your home space. Props are great for restorative poses, and also for poses that you’re not quite comfortable getting into yet. I recommend starting with blocks, straps, a meditation pillow or bolster and a blanket.
4. Declutter and organize: Studies have shown that clutter produces anxiety – the exact opposite of what you want in your yoga space. Therefore, make it a point to keep this area tidy. It’s easier to do if everything in the space has a home. That is, a bin or container or trunk to place your mat, props or accessories.
5. Indulge your 5 senses: if you think about sight, smell, touch, sound and taste – can you add something to the space that pleases each of those senses? For instance, do you have a piece of art that brings you joy when you see it? Perhaps incorporate your selenite incense holder to bring in your favorite scents and essential oils for self-massages after practice. And ensure Alexa is close by for your favorite tunes. By thinking through what your senses experience during the practice, consider how you can bring those things into your sacred space during this time.