Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years with studios all over the world popping up and tutorials and instructional all readily available online. An excellent form of exercise, yoga stretches both the body and the mind and many people find it incredibly relaxing too.
Making the most out the time you spend practicing yoga is essential and it’s certainly one of those forms of exercise that sees you get out what you put in.
For beginners yoga may seem a little daunting but over time you’ll find out what works for you and what styles suit you best. These tips are intended for beginners and will help get you started and on the right track.
Decide where to practice
When it comes to deciding where to practice you’ll need to consider where you feel most comfortable and whether it’s your lounge, in a gym or private studio anywhere you can relax and follow instruction is suitable.
There are a variety of different forms of yoga too, so you’ll need to know a bit about what each style entails and how vigorous it is before you select your ideal exercise location. If you opt for yoga classes that are held at a gym or studio you will need to attend the classes geared towards beginners or opt for an all levels session where newcomers are catered for.
Get the right equipment
Yoga isn’t an exercise form that you’ll need to spend vast amount of money on but one item that’s essential, whether at home or in a studio is a good mat. It is suggested that before you splash out on a decent mat you try a few classes and make sure yoga is for you, just as you’d take advantage of horse racing tips NZ before playing for real money at a casino.
A good quality mat that sticks to the floor, doesn’t slide and offers adequate protection is essential and you could even choose one that has lines on it that help keep you aligned throughout your practice.
Understand the basic names
You don’t need to become fluent in the different yoga poses overnight but gleaning a basic understanding of what the most common ones mean and what they entail is advisable.
Similarly its essential that you have an idea as to what the different styles of yoga are and that you don’t end up in a bikram class when you hate heat or a Vinyasa class when you were looking for something slow and meditative.
Yoga is not a competition
If you are looking for a form of exercise that’s competitive, yoga is not the right choice for you. Yoga is a solitary exercise that’s very introspective and can run at your own pace and there is no element of competing with other participants in the class.
Your practice can be tailored to your strengths and it’s up to every individual to push themselves in a way they prefer. Leaving your competitive spirit at the door is suggested and staying calm and focused is all part of the challenge.
Yoga is a very mental form of exercise as well as being incredibly physical and it’s also an endless process of learning and trial and error. Perseverance is essential and you’ll find that your body works differently every day.
If you embrace this your practice will run smoothly and you’ll benefit from every yoga session you partake in.
