Things to Know Before Starting Practicing Yoga

1. Yoga is about the union of the mind, body and spirit. It isn’t about where you are going but instead about the journey in getting there. 

2. Yoga is about you. It doesn’t matter what the person on the mat next to you is doing. Pay attention to yourself, your body and your mind.

3. Yoga is not about how you look. If there is a mirror in the room - forget it even exists.

4. Yoga is not a passive practice. Finding balance and flexibility comes from the selective engagement of certain muscles depending on the poses. Learning about how to activate these muscles is a long and never-ending journey.

5. Yoga is about learning to listen to your body. A little challenge can be good at times, but this practice is not about pushing. Advancement comes slowly, millimeter by millimeter. Yoga is a practice, not a perfection.

6. Yoga is not about achieving certain poses. While it can be fun and inspirational to have something to work towards, pushing too hard or too fast doesn’t serve you. Learn the alignment, the muscle activation, and the bandhas (energy locks). All bodies are not made for all poses. We all have different bone structures and ranges of motion. This can allow or limit certain postures.

7. Yoga is very different from how we in the West live our lives. We are forward racing with rapid breathing and carry ourselves with closed hips, and with contracted chests . Yoga involves slowing our pace, being aware of and controlling the breath, opening the hips and chest and strengthening the back. Jumping into a too advanced class can be too much no matter how simple some of the postures may seem.

8. If you are new to yoga, start slow and basic.

9. Videos or online classes can be a great way to discover new postures, sequencing and instructors, but the best way to learn is in a real live class, especially for a beginner.

10. Yoga is about discovering an awareness of your body in space and time. Create space for that learning curve.

11.You know your body better than anyone. Yoga is about learning to hear that voice and step into the awareness of your body in space and time!

12.  Almost every pose has a modification. If you are not yet able to maintain the full posture please take the modification!

13. Physical assists are amplifications of the postures that otherwise couldn’t be achieved. They are not about you doing something wrong. Afterwards muscle memory can sometimes take over and you can now get to these deeper places on your own.

14. Don’t be afraid of your breath! Explore it and make it heard! Expand your belly and your mind!

15. Injury does happen in yoga. Follow the above and you will minimize your risk.

16. If you are practicing  3 or more times a week or if you are practicing less, but have a powerful practice, you may want to invest in a good mat. Cheaper mats don’t offer much cushion and often don’t have a good grip.

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