Your Own Personal Sanctuary: Donna Farhi Shares Advice for Practicing Yoga at Home
“Just as a church, temple, or synagogue develops a palpable air of serenity and calm, your practice place, over time, can become your own personal sanctuary.”
—Donna Farhi, from Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living
Donna Farhi’s 10 Tips For Practicing Yoga at Home
Practicing yoga at home can be one of the most empowering ways to deepen your connection to yourself. In Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living, yoga teacher and author Donna Farhi shares essential advice for creating a meaningful, consistent yoga practice. Whether you’re just beginning or trying to recommit, here are her suggestions for cultivating a home yoga routine that is practical, soulful, and rooted in mindfulness:
1. Designate a Specific Place for Your Yoga Practice
One of the simplest ways to stay consistent is to choose a specific space in your home for yoga. While a dedicated yoga room is a luxury, it’s not necessary. A quiet corner in your living room or bedroom will do just fine. The key is having a place that offers privacy, peace, and minimal distractions. If you work from home, try to make sure your yoga space is away from your home office to create mental separation from work.
2. Practice at the Same Time Every Day
According to Farhi, consistency is key. Establish a regular practice time—ideally at the same time each day—to build routine and momentum. Early mornings are often ideal, especially if you share your home with others, as the household tends to be quieter.
3. Create a Personal Sanctuary
Just like sacred spaces in churches or temples, your yoga area can become a sanctuary of calm. Keep the space clean and free of clutter. You may wish to include a small altar or focal point with meaningful items: a candle, fresh flowers, photos of loved ones, spiritual teachers, or symbols of intention. This focal point can act as a daily invitation to begin again with presence and reverence.
4. Maintain and Respect Your Yoga Equipment
Farhi advises to treat your yoga props with care. Keep your yoga mat, cushions, blankets, and other tools clean and ready to use. Try not to repurpose them for anything else—doing so can dilute their energetic role. A yoga blanket covered in pet hair or food crumbs won’t exactly inspire mindfulness.
5. Minimize Distractions and Set Boundaries
When you step onto your mat, make an effort to protect your practice time. Let others in your household know not to disturb you, turn off notifications, and let calls go to voicemail. These small acts reinforce your intention to turn inward. If you’re a parent, consider including your children in the practice when needed, especially when solitude isn’t possible.
6. Welcome Children and Animals—They Sense the Energy
Children and pets often respond to the energy of a yoga practice. Rather than pushing them away, Farhi suggests you consider inviting them in. They may join curiously at first, and then settle into stillness as the practice continues. Children, in particular, may find comfort and joy simply being nearby while you practice or meditate.
7. Accept Disruptions as Part of the Practice
Real life doesn’t stop just because you’re meditating or in downward dog. Whether it’s the doorbell, a barking dog, or an urgent task, these interruptions are not obstacles but opportunities. If you must pause, attend to what’s needed and return to your breath. When that’s not possible, let the act of caring or responding become the practice itself.
8. Use a Notepad to Stay Grounded
Keep a small notepad beside your mat to jot down any thoughts or to-dos that surface during your session. This simple practice helps you empty the mind without abandoning the mat, so you can remain focused and return more easily to your breath and body.
9. End Each Session with Care and Intention
When your practice is complete, fold your blankets, put away your props, and tidy the space. According to Farhi, this small act of closure reinforces the sacredness of your practice area and ensures a fresh start next time.
10. Let Practice Be an Awakening, Not a Self-Improvement Project
Yoga at home isn’t about chasing perfection. As Donna Farhi reminds us, daily practice is a space to awaken to who we already are, not to sculpt a better version of ourselves. Think of yoga as a return to inner stillness—something you already possess. Whether you’re sitting in silence, breathing consciously, or moving through asanas, the goal of yoga is presence.
Wherever you go, there you are.
Donna Farhi’s advice for home yoga practice is both profound and practical. By creating a sacred space, embracing routine, and treating each moment with attention, your home can become a place of deep inner transformation.
And anyway, yoga isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about remembering.
Recommended Reading for further study with Donna:
Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living
The Breathing Book: Good Health and Vitality Through Essential Breath Work
About Donna
With nearly five decades of personal practice and over 40 years of teaching experience, Donna Farhi is one of the most respected and influential figures in contemporary yoga. Known as a post-lineage pioneer, she has reshaped the landscape of modern yoga by encouraging a more individualized, inquiry-based approach. Rather than adhering rigidly to any single tradition, Donna emphasizes the development of each person’s innate bodily intelligence and sensitivity.
You can practice with Donna online here.