10 Beginner Yoga Tips

When to Practice Yoga

A popular question of beginner yoga students is when to practice yoga. It's not advised that you practice yoga right before a meal, or before bedtime. Sun Salutations to begin the day are beneficial - starting your day with yoga prepares you for the day ahead. Breathing and meditation at night also help promote restful sleep. Many people do both! In fact, incorporating even a few moments of yoga practices throughout the day is beneficial. You can't go wrong.

 

Yoga Classes For Beginners

Taking a beginner yoga class is a great way to learn more about the practice and see if it's right for you. Overall, new students should start with easy poses to condition the body for more difficult exercises that follow as practice progresses. Remember: the point of yoga is to embrace reflection and connect with your body. Sessions should be done two to three times a week, but don't need to be very long; 10-30 minutes is a good start.

 

Yoga with a Twist

Twist poses are one of the best ways to release built-up tension in your spine. The spine is at the very core of our bodies, so its health is vital. Yoga twists are a great way to relieve backaches as well. Your shoulders become more flexible, allowing you to achieve and hold poses longer. Twists also aids in the circulation of blood and nutrients in the body.

 

Sublime Supine Poses

If you are attempting to release tension from your body, one of the best sets of yoga poses are the supine (or, lying down) poses. These are necessary, especially after more rigorous poses, because they remove tension in the abdomen and release spinal tension. Back, arms, and legs are also benefited by these poses, as are hips and groin.

 

 

Warming Up to Yoga

Most yoga for beginner classes start off with introductory poses to warm up your body. These prepare your body for safe transition into the asana (posture) practice. For beginners, these introductory poses poses may take up the entire practice session. With gentle stretching and breathing, theses exercises are designed to open the shoulder muscles, the spine, the hips, the lower back, and the groin.

 

 

Sitting Postures in Yoga

Beginner yoga posture includes the sitting pose. These are mostly used in connection with meditation and breathing exercises. The sitting postures allow you return to a state of calm in between asanas. These poses are also physically beneficial. They help in shaping your buttocks and legs, and in adding flexibility to the spine.

 

Standing Poses For Beginners

Standing poses are designed to align the feet and the body. These exercises help to open the hips, stretch the legs, add strength to your back, and increase range of movement. Internally, standing poses are an excellent way to lower blood pressure, alleviate digestive difficulties and lose weight.

 

Beginner Yoga Poses

When performing beginner yoga poses, it's important to concentrate on each movement. Remember that you are connecting the body with the mind and the breath. If you experience pain, release the hold slightly or exit the pose. Technique and form is more important than attaining the pose. It is better to perform a posture correctly one time rather than repeating it incorrectly. Keep to the order of the poses as given by the instructor - they are taught in the order that will best benefit your practice.

 

 

Yoga Upside-down

Inverted poses, as well as balance poses, help develop coordination. These poses make the heart pump blood different, also switching the way our weight pulls down on our bones. Also, they aid in improving agility, strength and stamina -- not just in yoga practice, but throughout the day. While standing on your head is not a requirement to practicing yoga, the inversion poses tend to release tension in the front portion of the body, shoulders, and pelvis.

 

Where to Practice Yoga

Your home is a great place to practice yoga, especially for beginners. If you're uncertain about whether to take a yoga class, starting your practice at home helps to master the pses, without comparing yourself to others. A Yoga video, or books and DVDs are a great place to start. A mat is all you need to practice at home for most people. Schools, local community centers and health clubs also offer yoga classes, typically in Hatha yoga. Find out from your local events committees if yoga is available in your area. If it isn't, be sure to put in a request for one...or find a good teacher and start your own!