| When my friend came home from her yoga class in | | | | instructors are created equal. Find one that has been |
| pain I knew that something had gone wrong, after all | | | | doing yoga for quite a few years. Experienced |
| yoga is supposed to be helpful and relaxing. It turns out | | | | instructors are better able to help you with your own |
| she was being put through the advanced yoga poses | | | | yoga needs. |
| well before she was ready. How can you make sure | | | | • If you don't have any yoga experience at all, |
| the same thing doesn't happen to you and that you | | | | consider investing in a few private yoga lessons. This |
| get the most from your yoga classes? | | | | will allow you to learn the basics of yoga without |
| • First and foremost, make sure that you don't try | | | | having to worry about keeping up with the rest of your |
| the advanced yoga poses before you have some | | | | class. Once you have the basics under your belt you |
| training under your belt. Yoga takes practice and you | | | | can work with the rest of the class towards achieving |
| need to have solid core strength and balance before | | | | advanced yoga poses. |
| you can benefit from the more advanced asanas. | | | | • When you do start working with a particular |
| • Remember that the basic standing yoga poses | | | | yoga instructor, make sure you tell him or her if you |
| will probably be the easiest for you to achieve, so find | | | | feel they are pushing you too hard. Everyone's bodies |
| a class and instructor that will teach you how to | | | | are different and communication is the key to letting |
| master those before working you into the more | | | | your instructor know which poses you are ready for, |
| advanced yoga poses. | | | | and which ones you aren't. |
| • Find a yoga studio that will offer you at least one | | | | It's important to remember that advanced yoga poses |
| or two free classes. Yoga styles vary. Some are very | | | | take time to achieve. You can't expect to go to one or |
| vigorous while others are relaxing and meditative. Free | | | | two classes and be ready for advanced yoga asanas. |
| trial classes are a great way to see if a particular | | | | By finding the right yoga instructor and a class that fits |
| studio or instructor is a good match for your personal | | | | your needs you will be able to train your body into the |
| yoga needs. | | | | advanced poses over time, but it is important to |
| • Remember, there are a variety of ways to | | | | remember that it is not a process that happens |
| become certified as a yoga instructor and not all yoga | | | | overnight. |