Panilla Marott is one of the UK’s leading hatha flow yoga teachers. She tells us how to create a sacred space for our personal yoga practice. My students are always asking me how to find a quiet place to practice at home, where they won’t be distracted by emails that need replies or be disturbed mid practice.
So how do you create yourself a sacred space? First, find a space that nurtures you and helps you relax. Make sure it is clean and uncluttered and that you don’t suddenly need to have to move furniture around in the midst of your practice.
Find thought provoking statements or texts that can help you keep your thoughts focused to put in your yoga space. Or perhaps find a photo or drawing that inspires you, such as that of a teacher or a mentor or of a calm nature scene.
Try lighting a candle to remind you that you are moving away from a place of darkness – your unconscious old habits, and that you have chosen to journey towards the light and are creating an awareness of your higher self or that which is greater than you.
Turn all phones off so that they will not interfere once you are on your mat and realize that the world really can survive without your availability until you’re ready to connect back into it again. If there is a lot of distracting noise around you, it might help to put a CD on with soft gentle music purposely made for meditation or yoga to drown out background noise.
Sit on your matt for two to five minutes before starting. Use this time to tune in and to build this mental sacred space for yourself. Make an opening chant of “OM” to mark the beginning of your practice and close it with an “OM” after resting in Savasana. This will help you to stay focused throughout your practice. Remember the Sacred Space is in truth found within yourself every time you practice – you can find it anywhere as long as you focus.
Panilla teachers at triyoga www.triyoga.co.uk and also privately.
