Yoga is one of the most beneficial practices you can adopt and integrate into your daily life. It is a workout that encapsulates an awareness of not only the body, but also the mind and soul. Yoga became a widespread hit in the Western world in the 1980s, especially among those who aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

There are many schools and forms of yoga, which each focus on different elements of the practice —this allows you to find the right one to fit your preference. Keeping up with your yoga practice can oftentimes be difficult due to a demanding work schedule and family obligations. Luckily, this is one workout that you can perform almost anywhere!

Here is a list of ways you can practice yoga in your everyday life:

In Your Home

Rather than visiting a studio to achieve your yoga-bliss, create your own practice space at home. All that’s required is an un-cluttered area that will allow you to stretch out, and a few basic pieces of equipment. Find a small basket to keep your yoga equipment, and include a yoga mat, yoga blocks, a small towel, and a water bottle. To enhance the serenity of the room, incorporate music or incense when you practice.

You can design your own yoga workout, or follow an instructor through a video.

Pool or Hot Tub

Working out in water does wonders for your body — it helps relieve pressure on joints, while still thoroughly working and building your muscles. Water yoga is a low-impact exercise that will allow your body to find an optimum stretch, without the limiting weight of gravity. It is ideal to do water yoga in warmer water, like a hot tub, where the water temperature is between 83 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm water will allow your muscles to relax, so you can go deeper into your pose and hold it longer.

At Work

To get you through that mid-day slump, take a moment to practice yoga during your workday. There are some easy stretches and pose you can do at your desk to help you relieve tension, release stress, and stay alert. Try a basic arm stretch and chair twist, which you can discretely perform at your workspace. See these workspace yoga examples on DivineCaroline.com.

Approach your supervisor or co-workers about doing an all-office yoga break, where everyone can take a moment to stretch and do some yoga poses. Sitting for hours at a desk can increase your risk for certain cancers, diabetes, and other disabling disabilities. Sharing yoga with the whole office will allow you to prevent health risks and promote a healthier environment.

In Nature

Yoga, by definition, means “union” — practicing yoga outdoors can unite your body with nature. If you don’t have much space in your home, nor the time or resources to make it into a yoga studio, utilize the natural space around you. Practicing yoga outside can enhance your spiritual experience and also increase the physical benefits. Uneven surfaces, like sand or grass, will challenge your balance and end up building up muscles on your feet, hips, spine, shoulders, and knees. Some may find the uneven ground a distraction, though it presents an excellent challenge for the mind to push past the distracting elements and have a centered and mindful yoga session.