| Yoga can be overwhelming to both insiders and | | | | the years we've been trained to be constantly thinking. |
| outsiders alike. There are so many details, poses, and | | | | Yoga is the place where you don't have to think - just |
| nuances that it can be difficult, especially if you have a | | | | be in the moment. |
| question on a pose or detail. Here are some questions | | | | Another great way to let thoughts go is to |
| and answers about yoga that get asked everyday. | | | | concentrate on your breathing. Take long, deep |
| Hope you find it useful: | | | | breaths over and over and focus on that breath. |
| Q: How do I know if I'm doing a pose correctly? | | | | Besides giving you something to concentrate on, it gets |
| A: Yoga is usually an individual sport. What I mean by | | | | more oxygen in your blood and brain which helps you |
| that is that in yoga you go inside your mind or within | | | | relax. |
| yourself. So each pose might look different for you | | | | Q: How do I know if I'm getting where I should be in |
| than the person next to you. That's fine and that's | | | | yoga? |
| what yoga is all about. | | | | A: Yoga is not a destination you have to get to. |
| This means that if a pose hurts, you're doing it wrong | | | | There's no advanced level you have to reach to attain |
| for you. Never do a pose that causes you pain - | | | | a yoga goal. The benefits of yoga are a more relaxed, |
| adjust yourself so it's not painful or just do a different | | | | balanced and calmed mind, body and spirit. Don't push |
| pose that feels good. Your body will tell you if you're | | | | yourself unless you want to. Each time you step onto |
| doing it correctly. | | | | your yoga mat, it will be a different experience. If one |
| Q: I like some yoga poses better than others. Why is | | | | day you want to push yourself with yang postures |
| that? | | | | and the next day you want to do relaxing yin postures, |
| A: Every time we step on the mat we are in a | | | | that's fine! Don't overanalyze yoga, just be present and |
| different place mentally. We're never in the same | | | | concentrate on your breathing to get all that yoga has |
| exactly mental space every time we step on the mat. | | | | to offer you. |
| When you're in the posture, ask yourself, "why is this | | | | Q: I always have to go to the bathroom in the middle |
| posture hard for me right now"? Sometimes it can be | | | | of my yoga practice. How can I stop this? |
| a stubborn emotion, an old injury, anxiety or anything | | | | A: There are a couple things you can do to lessen the |
| else. | | | | need to go to the bathroom in the middle of your yoga |
| Because yoga is heavily focused on the mental and | | | | practice. First, you can try lessening your liquid intake |
| physical, those elements combine and sometimes | | | | just before practicing yoga. Or you could just accept it |
| cause us stress. If the posture is too much, come out | | | | and go to the bathroom while still focusing on your |
| of it or modify it so it feels more comfortable. Be sure | | | | breathing to keep the "yoga buzz" going. No matter |
| to breathe the entire time and soften around the area | | | | how you deal with this, be sure to always have water |
| that's causing discomfort or stress. | | | | on hand so you're not dehydrated. If you're not getting |
| Q: It's hard for me to concentrate on my yoga | | | | enough water during your yoga practice, your body |
| practice. How can I stop this? | | | | may not respond well. It's better to take a bathroom |
| A: Especially the first few times doing yoga, it may be | | | | break in your yoga practice than come away from it |
| hard to stop thinking about tasks you have to get done | | | | dehydrated. |
| or other "busy" thoughts. This is very normal and is | | | | For more information, meditations and online yoga |
| exactly what yoga helps combat. When you have one | | | | classes for at home or while traveling, contact Yoga |
| of these thoughts, just acknowledge it and let it go. | | | | Universe. They are a 24/7 yoga studio that is ready |
| Don't get mad at yourself for having thoughts. Over | | | | for yoga practice when you are. |