| Yoga is beneficial for the body in so many ways: it | | | | benefits of yoga quickly, everything worthwhile takes |
| increases flexibility and muscle strength, it reduces | | | | time, and yoga is no exception! Take it easily and work |
| stress and improves mental and emotional health, and | | | | within your own limits. Trying to do too much too soon |
| it helps normalize bodily functions. People who start | | | | may end up doing you more harm than good, and |
| practising yoga generally do so in expectation of these | | | | goes against the philosophy of yoga, which is geared |
| health benefits. While any regular practise of yoga will | | | | towards healing. |
| create improvements in the body, there are ways of | | | | After your class, take the time to digest what you |
| maximizing the progress you can make in your yoga. | | | | have learned. Don't simply rush out, jump back into the |
| If you are taking formal yoga classes, it helps to arrive | | | | speed of life and forget why you attended yoga in the |
| a few minutes early so you can get yourself in the | | | | first place. Try and keep the peace of mind you |
| right frame of mind before the class kicks off. If you | | | | developed in your yoga class, and think over what you |
| find yourself rushing in at the last moment, it will take | | | | learned. When you are a beginner you'll have a lot to |
| that much longer to get into the flow of the class. | | | | learn and remember, and it will take some time. If you |
| Ensure you take the time to have a drink of water and | | | | can focus on learning and remembering just one or |
| use the bathroom, and if you've got time, do a few | | | | two new poses per lesson, you'll find that it won't take |
| poses or simply sit quietly until the class commences. | | | | long before you know all the basic poses. |
| It is helpful to begin each class with an intention which | | | | Ideally, go to your class on a fairly empty stomach |
| you can focus on through the class. This may be | | | | (don't eat for two to three hours before starting a |
| something like focussing on remaining calm in situations | | | | class), as the process of digestion takes energy and |
| which are usually volatile, or becoming more loving and | | | | can make you lethargic, and it's also possible to get |
| tolerant, eating more nourishing foods, or taking more | | | | cramps or nausea if you exercise too soon after |
| time for spiritual practices. Just make it something | | | | eating, especially when doing moves that involve the |
| positive and congruent with the practice of yoga. | | | | midsection (including deep forward bends, twists, and |
| If you have been experiencing any physical problems | | | | inversions). |
| or illness recently let your yoga instructor know, as | | | | Taking the right mindset and attitude to a yoga class |
| they can advise you on poses you shouldn't attempt | | | | can help you maximize your yoga practise, as can |
| (or can offer a modified pose), and can assist if you | | | | finding a beneficial intent to focus on during the class |
| have any problems. If you are relatively new to yoga | | | | (which can also help keep your mind off worrying |
| you should also let your instructor know, as there will | | | | thoughts which will inhibit your progress). Taking the |
| be poses you can't do without causing a strain or an | | | | right attitude into your yoga class, and maintaining inner |
| injury. While you may be anxious to reap the full | | | | peace afterwards can be very beneficial. |