During the COVID-19 pandemic, when churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship were closed to the public, clergy and community members had no choice but to create prayer and ritual spaces at home. Thanks to Zoom and other online platforms, worship and study continued in new forms, and most communities found creative ways to stay connected.

While many felt the loss of entering traditional sanctuaries, that time also revealed how the home itself can become a unique kind of sanctuary — a place to seek peace and calm in the midst of daily life.

Now, we can enjoy the best of both worlds: gathering with others for prayer, meditation, yoga, or spiritual practice, while also carving out sacred space for reflection and connection at home.

Home as sanctuary: getting started

In western culture, our living spaces are usually designed for daily tasks — cooking and eating, playing and lounging, working, intimacy, and sleep. But how do we make room for our spiritual lives within those same walls?

It takes intentionality, since our spiritual practices are as unique as we are. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to creating peace and tranquility.

Ava Adames, owner of Violets in Bloom, a healing arts store and yoga studio in Elkins Park, often guides people who are curious about setting up altars or prayer spaces. Her shop, filled with crystals, candles, incense, and chimes, draws spiritual seekers who may not know where to begin.

“Notice the areas in and around your home that feel most connected to peace and calm,” she said. “Then start to add energy-enhancing tools with intention. Maybe place a grounding stone or crystal in a bowl on a table where you’ll see it upon entering a room.”

Whether you live in a large home or studio apartment, visual cues help slow the mind and encourage us to pause. For those who are creative, writing mantras, copying passages from sacred texts, or keeping inspiring books in sight can offer gentle reminders to reconnect.

“At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary,” Adames said. “Trust your intuition to guide you toward items that feel most nourishing.”

Ritual in the home

In many faith traditions, home-based rituals carry as much weight as those held in houses of worship. For example, in Judaism, families gather every Friday night to welcome the Sabbath by lighting candles, blessing wine or juice and challah bread, and sharing a festive meal. The same dining table used all week is transformed through intentional ritual — prayer, song, blessings, and often the presence of guests.

“Ritual offers meaning, continuity, identity, light, and delight — even in dark days,” Mt. Airy resident Wendy A. Horwitz, author of “Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments,” explained. “In a world that sometimes feels broken, we can engage in ritual at home, in community, and in nature to find solace, if not solutions.”

Home-based rituals need not be tied to a specific faith tradition. You might create simple rituals to support well-being, such as savoring your morning coffee in a designated spot, writing in a journal before bed, or inventing new celebrations with family and friends. For those experiencing illness, grief, or another life challenge, creating a home-based daily ritual can offer grounding and support.

Yoga and embodied practices

For many, yoga, qigong, tai chi, and other embodied practices are more than physical exercise; they are ways of uniting body, mind, and spirit. While these traditions are often learned in community settings, creating space for them at home helps integrate them into daily life.

But what if you don’t have room to set up a full studio?

“Yoga doesn’t require a large space or rigorous movement — it’s about presence and grounding,” Anne Brossan, an instructor at Unity Yoga, which has studios in Manayunk and Chestnut Hill, said. “Even a small corner can become sacred by lighting candles, removing distractions, and adding whatever helps you stay present: soft music, incense, blankets, pillows, or crystals. At Unity, we even send weekly emails to students who have practiced for 40 days or longer, offering rituals and practices to bridge the gap between studio and home.”

Approach with curiosity

Whether beginning, refreshing, or deepening a home spiritual practice, the most important mindset is openness and curiosity. Look at your living space with fresh eyes; you may find pockets of calm in unexpected places.

Years ago, during a difficult period, I taped mantras to my bathroom mirror to help me start each day with gratitude and courage. Now, throughout my home, I keep altars that honor the changing seasons and my ancestors. In my backyard garden, a small memorial sculpture honors our beloved animal companion, Hank.

These objects and symbols invite me to pause, breathe, and reconnect. They’re all reminders that peace and meaning are always available, right here at home.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer is a writer and spiritual director who works with individuals to find their inner wisdom. She directs content and virtual programming for ritualwell.org. Learn about Gabrielle’s workshops and writing circles at gabriellekaplanmayer.com.