Yoga Advice for Beginners
The most important advice a teacher can offer beginners to yoga is to make the time to roll out their mats. Practising in the same place and at the same time can help maintain motivation. Decide on a time and write it into your diary, thinking of it as an appointment you cannot miss. Indeed, this may be one of the most important appointments you make during a day since it allows you to devote time to looking after yourself. This not only makes you feel great, it sets you up for success in every other part of your day, whether that includes achieving work tasks or mixing with other people.
Setting practice times
Early morning is traditionally considered the best time for day to practise yoga. Try setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual. Take a shower and then practise in the quiet period before the rest of your household awakes. It is interesting to note how this period of reflection first thing can make your home life feel less stressed.
Late afternoon or early evening make good alternative practice times, especially if you need an energy boost or would lie to wind down after a hectic day. Wash before you begin and make sure your stomach is empty.
Planning the session:
At the start of any session, spend a few minutes sitting, or lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, Close your eyes and look inside yourself, watching your breath flow in and our completely naturally. Then carefully follow the warm-up exercises before beginning the postures.
Take it slowly
Yoga is all about getting to know your capabilities and limitations – but you have the rest of your life to complete this study. Do not feel pressured to push it too far or too fast. Yoga is not competitive.
Follow your breath
Tune into your breath not only at the beginning of each session, but in every posture to see what it tells you about your practice. If your breathing becomes ragged or uneven at any time take it as a sign to ease off a little. When you arrive in a pose, explore whether breathing out any tension makes you feel more comfortable, and whether the inbreath allows you to expand and reach a little further. With time, breath-awareness will become second-nature.
Listen to your body
Honour the message your body sends. If your knees or lower back hurt, for example, take it as an instruction to refer to the easier version of the posture. Acknowlege your limitations, taking things slowly and not progesing to the stronger stretches in the sequences until fully ready.
