Setting up your space

Bring your peace h(om)e.

In both yoga and Mahayana Buddhism, setting up your space refers to creating an environment that is conducive to your practice or meditation. While there may be some variations in specific practices and rituals between these two traditions, the general idea remains similar.

In yoga, setting up your space involves creating a dedicated area or room where you can practice your asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. The space should be clean, uncluttered, and free from distractions. Many yogis choose to decorate their space with objects that promote a sense of peace, such as candles, incense, statues, or images of deities. Additionally, the use of yoga props like mats, blankets, bolsters, or blocks may be included to support your practice and enhance your comfort.

By creating a dedicated and sacred space, practitioners can cultivate a sense of focus, calmness, and reverence.

In Mahayana Buddhism, setting up your space is commonly associated with the practice of creating an altar or shrine. The shrine is a focal point for meditation and devotion, representing the presence of enlightened beings and the qualities they embody. The specific items placed on the shrine can vary, but they often include a central Buddha or Bodhisattva statue or image, along with other symbolic objects like candles, flowers, incense, and offerings. These objects serve as a reminder of the teachings and values of Buddhism, and practitioners often pay respects or make offerings as a form of reverence.

The act of setting up your space in both yoga and Mahayana Buddhism is considered an intentional and mindful practice. By creating a dedicated and sacred space, practitioners can cultivate a sense of focus, calmness, and reverence. It helps to establish a boundary between the outside world and the internal practice, allowing for a deeper connection to the self and the spiritual path.