How To Get The Most From Your Yoga Practice
Sunday, 06 December 2009 09:56 | 
Author: Ana Paula Hernandez |
Yoga promotes flexibility and muscle strength, and benefits the body in so many other ways, by reducing stress, improving emotional and mental health, and balancing other body functions. Those who begin practicing regular yoga often start because they've heard how good it is for health. While it's true that any practice of yoga is beneficial, it's even better if you can maximize your success by following several guidelines.
Yoga promotes flexibility and muscle strength, and benefits the body in so many other ways, by reducing stress, improving emotional and mental health, and balancing other body functions. Those who begin practicing regular yoga often start because they've heard how good it is for health. While it's true that any practice of yoga is beneficial, it's even better if you can maximize your success by following several guidelines.
Aim to arrive at your yoga class several minutes early to avoid rushing and to relax into a good yoga mindset. When you rush in at the last minute, it takes much longer to get into the flow of things, and you don't get as much from the class as you could. If you have time for a drink of water or a trip to the bathroom, and maybe time for a stretch or brief meditation, you'll be able to start your class in the right frame of mind.
It is helpful to begin each class with an intention which you can focus on through the class. This may be something like focussing on remaining calm in situations which are usually volatile, or becoming more loving and tolerant, eating more nourishing foods, or taking more time for spiritual practices. Just make it something positive and congruent with the practice of yoga.
If you're suffering from an injury, or have recently gone through an illness, it's important that you let your yoga instructor know, as they are able to advise on poses to avoid and may offer alternatives. Those new to yoga should also tell their instructors, who can look out for them and assist with developing the correct poses to avoid strain or injury. Many people are so anxious to progress in their yoga that they inadvertently injure themselves, so it's important to realize that it will take time. Be patient and work at a level you feel physically comfortable with. The philosophy of yoga is one of healing, so pushing oneself and getting injured really does go against that, and will hinder any success or health benefits.
Once the class is over it's a great idea to take some time to think about what you learned during the class. It's all too easy to rush out of class and get back into the fast track of life without really digesting the lessons learned. After the relaxation and peace gained in a yoga class, it's a pity not to remain in the moment for some time later, and think over what you've learned. Beginners have a lot to remember, and it can take some time to learn it all. For this reason, if you can make the effort to consciously remember just one or two new poses from each class, you'll soon have mastered the basics.
Don't eat for at least two to three hours before attending a yoga class, firstly because digestion takes energy and can make you lethargic, but also because cramps and nausea are an unfortunate result of performing some yoga poses too soon after eating (generally forward bends and twists which utilize the midsection).
Maximizing your yoga practice is simple if you can take the right mindset to class, and focus on a beneficial intention throughout the yoga practice, which also assists in removing worrying thoughts from the mind. A positive outlook during a yoga class, and the maintenance of positive feelings afterwards is one of the best things you can do.
Yoga promotes flexibility and muscle strength, and benefits the body in so many other ways, by reducing stress, improving emotional and mental health, and balancing other body functions. Those who begin practicing regular yoga often start because they've heard how good it is for health. While it's true that any practice of yoga is beneficial, it's even better if you can maximize your success by following several guidelines.
Aim to arrive at your yoga class several minutes early to avoid rushing and to relax into a good yoga mindset. When you rush in at the last minute, it takes much longer to get into the flow of things, and you don't get as much from the class as you could. If you have time for a drink of water or a trip to the bathroom, and maybe time for a stretch or brief meditation, you'll be able to start your class in the right frame of mind.
It is helpful to begin each class with an intention which you can focus on through the class. This may be something like focussing on remaining calm in situations which are usually volatile, or becoming more loving and tolerant, eating more nourishing foods, or taking more time for spiritual practices. Just make it something positive and congruent with the practice of yoga.
If you're suffering from an injury, or have recently gone through an illness, it's important that you let your yoga instructor know, as they are able to advise on poses to avoid and may offer alternatives. Those new to yoga should also tell their instructors, who can look out for them and assist with developing the correct poses to avoid strain or injury. Many people are so anxious to progress in their yoga that they inadvertently injure themselves, so it's important to realize that it will take time. Be patient and work at a level you feel physically comfortable with. The philosophy of yoga is one of healing, so pushing oneself and getting injured really does go against that, and will hinder any success or health benefits.
Once the class is over it's a great idea to take some time to think about what you learned during the class. It's all too easy to rush out of class and get back into the fast track of life without really digesting the lessons learned. After the relaxation and peace gained in a yoga class, it's a pity not to remain in the moment for some time later, and think over what you've learned. Beginners have a lot to remember, and it can take some time to learn it all. For this reason, if you can make the effort to consciously remember just one or two new poses from each class, you'll soon have mastered the basics.
Don't eat for at least two to three hours before attending a yoga class, firstly because digestion takes energy and can make you lethargic, but also because cramps and nausea are an unfortunate result of performing some yoga poses too soon after eating (generally forward bends and twists which utilize the midsection).
Maximizing your yoga practice is simple if you can take the right mindset to class, and focus on a beneficial intention throughout the yoga practice, which also assists in removing worrying thoughts from the mind. A positive outlook during a yoga class, and the maintenance of positive feelings afterwards is one of the best things you can do.
About the Author:
Ana Paula Hernandez is a writer and yoga instructor with over twenty years' experience. She believes firmly that students need the right grounding in yoga poses and yoga postures to ensure success in yoga.