How to light a yoga studio at home

June 9, 2021

At-home yoga has soared in popularity — from virtual group classes to solo workouts squeezed in at your convenience. Whatever your preferred practice, investing in the right yoga studio lighting is as important for newbie yogis as it is for those reading this mid-headstand. 

Subtle lighting adjustments can transform your yoga experience, leading to a more comfortable and productive session for body and mind. Learn how to get more from your practice with these yoga studio lighting ideas. 

The joy of yoga is its versatility. Whether you’re craving a fast-paced flow or a soothing, anchored experience, you can find a practice to suit each day’s mood. So why not make your lighting just as versatile? Dimmable, warm-to-cool LED lights let you adapt your lighting to each individual practice.

When it comes to yoga that gets your blood pumping, bright and cool light will help you feel more motivated and energized. Use overhead light fixtures to flood the room with that energy-boosting brightness — just make sure no hanging lights are in the way of your overhead stretches. 

If you’re not sure which level of brightness or color to go for, our preset Energize scene is the perfect place to start.

For slower, more meditative practices, take your yoga studio lighting down a notch to help you find your Zen. Warmer, dimmed light will complement the calmness of your session and help slow down your mind. Use table or floor lamps in different corners of the room for a more mellow ambiance. You can also direct their focus against walls or plants to create atmospheric shadows.

Bright idea: Use the Candle effect in the app to simulate the subtle and relaxing flickering of candlelight.

Colored lights have been proven to have a profound effect on moods and emotions. As a result, they can advance the impact of your yoga practice. Immersing yourself in blue light triggers alertness and increases energy — ideal for a morning start or lunchtime boost. Green light soothes and calms the mind, making it a perfect partner to meditation or yin yoga. For an evening wind-down routine, opt for red light to stimulate the sleep hormone melatonin.

Now that you’ve found the right light colors and fixtures for each yoga session, let’s take it up a level. Philips Hue smart lights can help you integrate yoga into your routine and guide you through your sessions seamlessly. 

No matter your yoga goal — practicing every morning or a few evenings a week — your smart lights can help you make it happen. Once you’ve decided on your favorite yoga lighting, save it as a scene and schedule it as an automation in the Hue app. That way, when your smart lights dial up to bright, blue light each morning, you’ll be nudged to grab your mat and get going. 

Need a hand keeping your rhythm? Let the Hue Labs Guided yoga formula lead you through your sun salutations with ease. Choose whether to repeat the sequence two, six, 12, or 24 times. Your lights will then change color as a subtle, distraction-free signal that you should change poses, while dimming and brightening to guide your breath.

It’s all too easy to overthink the pace of your breath during a meditation session. The Hue Labs Meditation lights formula helps you get into a relaxed breathing pace. As your lights increase brightness, breathe in, and as they change color slightly and fade out, breathe out.

Bright idea: Multiple lights changing brightness during meditation could be a bit intense. Instead, use just one lamp for a softer ambiance. The portable Hue Go lamp is perfect, so you can move your guiding light comfortably into your gaze.