HEALTH

You don't *have* to join a swanky studio to be just like your fave Instagram yoga guru. You just need to use all your senses to morph your room into a totally zen den. Ready to transform your space and get bending? Here's all you need to pose, relax and breathe in total peace.

1. Smell
One of the best parts of going to a yoga studio is the amazing smell in the lobby. But what IS that blend? We're constantly asking our teachers what candles they use to recreate the aromatherapy at home. Look for candles with scents like citrus, sage, lavender and musk to replicate it in your room. Nag champa, a combo that originated in India, is also popular in studios, but not everyone loves it (so give it a whiff before you buy). 

2. Touch
Yoga mats are great, but yoga blankets can transform you practice into a seriously cozy experience. Toss a blanket over yourself during savasana (the final resting post) or sit on one while you do deep breathing. Adding a blanket to your routine can encourage what yoga's great for: rest 'n' relaxation. Bonus: they look crazy cute in your room.

3. Sight
Quotes make everything better. When setting aside a place to practice, why not paste up some of your favorite sayings at eye level? Hello, inspo.

4. Taste
We wish we'd found a study that said adding chocolate to your yoga practice increased the benefits. Given that we haven't heard that (yet!), we're all about the spa water. For fall, try this tasty combo: Fill a pitcher with water. Slice up one apple and drop it in, then add a cinnamon stick. Put it in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Sip it post-posing for a hydrating tea-like drink.

5. Listen
Yogis are split (ha!) when it comes to music. Some love to jam out to party tunes while flowing through sun salutations. Others prefer silence, in order to connect with their breath and body better. The last group likes to move to slow, steady yoga-inspired jams. To find those mixes, search Spotify or YouTube for yoga playlists. Sure, the beats might not be exactly what you're used to, but they might help your head drift off into a more meditative place.

Tell us: do you like to practice yoga at home? How do you prep your pad?

Photo credit: Instagram.

by GL | 1/7/2017