Yoga for Your Home: Finding Harmony in Design and Decluttering

For anyone looking for more calmness and intention in their home, there’s a lot we can learn from yoga. As Yoga With Adrienne once wrote: yoga is like whole body mental health. Well, I think the same way about our homes. So, today, we're going to talk about yoga for your home- using some foundational principles of yoga to bring more calmness and intention to your environment.  

Before we dive in, I’d love to invite you to deepen your relationship with your home space in my Free Workshop! which dives into creating a holistic, clutter-free space. 

1. Center

Coming back to center. In yoga, this is represented by flowing into and out of poses, but in your home, this might look like a reset. Take care of your belongings at various checkpoints throughout the day to maintain a fresh start. Getting back to neutral.

On a deeper level, what would it look like if your home served as a center for grounding and reflection? Think quiet corners for meditation, journaling, or reading (whatever you’re into). What items would that include? Calming items like cushions, blankets, or inspiring books that help you center yourself amidst life’s chaos.

2. Align

In yoga, alignment can come with many meanings- but one that I think is a great practice in presence is the intention to align with what is. We are adaptable creatures. Just like in life, on the mat, we shift, move, we make adjustments and then we realign with wherever we are in the present moment. 

When it comes to your space, it’s great to strive for alignment between your space and your values, but our values change, shift, and evolve just like we do. It’s more beneficial- both functionally and emotionally to align your environment with what is true now.

Here’s an example: maybe you’ve always been a creative person, and you have stuff that goes along with tons of hobbies throughout the years. While creativity might be something you value- all of those creative supplies might not be in alignment with who you are now, in this moment. Being in true alignment isn’t always easy and it relies on you trusting yourself. 

3. Trust

Yoga encourages us to embody trust- believing that the poses, our bodies, and the floor (as the case may be) have us. And it’s this really cool practice of trusting that everything is as it should be in that moment- so you can leave everything else off tha mat. 

When beginning a practice of letting go of stuff in your home, it’s completely normal to feel uncertain and to not really trust your instincts. The more you practice and get in tune with your environment, the more you trust your instincts when it comes to your space.

If something feels out of place, it’s okay to let it go. You can choose to trust yourself to create a space that reflects who you are and what you need.

4. Root

In yoga, there is a pose called “root-to-rise,” which basically means to ground through your feet and feel sturdy and grounded before you rise up like a tree. This isn’t the only pose or concept in yoga that addresses the concept of rooting. 

This rooting and grounding message is also used a lot in meditation, where you feel and notice the connections you have to anything you’re touching. It makes you feel held, which we all need more than we would likely admit. 

Whether you’re being held by the ground or strongly rooted in a power pose, the word evokes strength, stability, and resilience.

Now, think about your home. You know, it’s no coincidence that people refer to their childhood home as roots. There’s a song by ‘Florence and the Machine’ called “Roots”- “I’ve got no roots, but my home was never on the ground.”

Anyway, our homes don’t just have a foundation; they are our foundation—it’s home plate—the place we branch out from when we’re exploring but always come back to. It’s our stability. And the more stable (i.e. less chaotic) our homes feel, the more strong, stable, and resilient we feel.

This is pretty fresh on my mind because I’ve been having a lot on my mind lately—it’s made me feel a little “adrift” is the weird word that comes to mind. Another death in the family, which is the second person I’ve lost this year, and someone close to me isn’t doing well. 

4. Stretch

Stretching is essential in yoga, and the cool thing is that stretching isn’t a one-and-done. You stretch your body one day, and the next, you’re able to stretch a little farther. Many of you know I broke my ankle a couple of months ago- and I’ve been going to physical therapy. One of the exercises they have me do is to put my toes against the wall and move my knee toward the wall as far as it can go. At first, it didn’t go anywhere- my knee remained perfectly in line with my ankle because I didn’t have the flexibility. Honestly, it felt like a wall- like bone-blocking bone- my knee was not going to touch that wall. 

But over time, after practice, I slowly became a tiny bit more flexible. Yesterday, I was only a tiny fraction of an inch away from touching my knee to that wall. And it’s the same way with building new habits in our homes. Learning to let go of things and build new habits- might feel like bone-on-bone resistance. But the more you stretch yourself, the more flexible you become, and the easier the letting go becomes. 

5. Yin

In yoga, where Yang represents movement and energy, Yin represents a more internal, contemplative practice. Usually this looks like holding poses for longer periods of time to target different connective tissue or letting go through stillness.

In our homes, yin could be represented by the concept of slow living. It encourages us to stop chasing after productivity and busyness, to quiet the noise of constant distractions, and instead focus on simple, intentional moments. Whether it’s lingering over a morning coffee, feeling the warmth of sunlight coming through the window, or spending time appreciating an uncluttered space, an energy of yin invites us to connect more deeply with what’s around us.

It’s a shift from doing to being, whether on the mat or in your living room.

6. Flow

In yoga, the essence of flow lies in the connection between breath and movement. Each movement begins with, is powered through, and returns to the breath. Breath is life, energy, and flow—the constant that ties together every pose, creating a seamless dance of motion and stillness.

This same principle applies to our homes and the spaces we inhabit. Flow in your space is about creating a continuous, natural rhythm where everything has its place and serves a purpose. When you eliminate the excess—the clutter and distractions—you create a pathway for energy to move freely through your environment, just like how the breath moves through the body during yoga practice.

One thing that I teach a lot about is something I call "clutter-free flow"- in fact, I've been working to create an in-depth program on just this because it really represents everything this Mia Danielle channel is about. Clutter-free Flow is essentially a state of being where you eliminate the excess from your life and create an environment and mindset that fosters focus, efficiency, and a sense of calm. 

7. Balance

In yoga, balance is more than just standing on one leg or holding a pose without falling over. True balance comes from within—it’s a combination of strength, focus, and alignment. It’s knowing when to engage and when to release, allowing your body to find harmony between effort and ease. Just as balance in yoga requires a deep connection to both your body and your breath, balance in life and space comes from an awareness of what grounds you and what lifts you up.

In your home, balance happens when your space reflects your needs without overwhelming you. When you have too much, it can feel like the weight of your possessions throws you off-center. But when you let go of the excess, you can find that sweet spot where your home feels light but anchored- rooted (like we talked about earlier).

8. Connect

In yoga, connection is everything. It’s the link between your breath, body, and mind—the way each movement flows into the next. It’s a reminder that we’re not separate from the space around us; we’re deeply connected to it. This connection helps us stay present, grounded, and aware of what our bodies need in each moment.

In your home, connection means creating a space that feels aligned with who you are and how you want to live. When there’s clutter or disorganization, it can feel like a disconnect—like your environment isn’t working with you but against you. But when you intentionally design your space to reflect your values and support your needs, you create a deeper connection with your home and yourself. It also strengthens the connection to the people and pets that matter most within that space, allowing your environment to become a place of support, love, and togetherness.

9. Restore

In yoga, restoration is about giving your body and mind the chance to recover, reset, and regain strength. It’s those moments of stillness and gentle movement that allow us to heal and recharge, bringing us back to balance. Restoration isn’t just about rest—it’s about returning to a place of energy and wholeness.

In your home, restoration happens when you clear away the clutter and create a space that nourishes you. When your environment is chaotic, it can drain your energy and overwhelm your mind. But when you intentionally restore order and simplicity, your home becomes a place where you can relax, recharge, and feel renewed. It’s a space that gives back to you, helping to restore not only your energy but also your sense of peace and well-being.

10. Energy

In yoga, energy is the force that connects your body and mind to the intention you set for your practice. Whether you’re seeking strength, calm, or clarity, your energy follows that intention. Every breath and movement channels that focus, helping you align with the energy you need in that moment.

In your home, energy works in much the same way. The energy of a space is shaped by the intention you place into it. You have the power to curate different types of energy depending on what you need—whether it’s motivation in a workspace, calm in a bedroom, or inspiration in a creative area. When you thoughtfully design your environment, it doesn’t just serve a practical purpose; it becomes a supportive, energetic force in your life.

11. Explore

In yoga, exploration is at the heart of your practice. Each pose invites you to discover new aspects of your body and your mind. It’s a practice of curiosity that gives you a safe space to push your boundaries and deepen your understanding of yourself. Sometimes, making a tiny shift in your alignment or focus can dramatically change how you feel in your body.

The same is true of your home. Exploration is ongoing- staying curious is what keeps your home environment alive and interesting rather than stagnant. Just like in yoga, a small shift in your space can transform how you feel in that space. This practice really allows your space to evolve with you, making it even more supportive as you grow and change throughout life. 

Don’t be afraid to explore! In fact, I encourage you to explore some tiny aspects of your home today- what shift could you make that might make you feel a shift in your day to day life?

I’d love to help you deepen your connection with your space and feel more confident in letting go of the excess- you can dive deeper inside my free workshop that dives into creating a holistic, clutter-free space.