8 Tips to Help You Make Your Yoga Practice More Enjoyable

When you watch other people practicing yoga, it can seem intimidating. This is especially true if you have never tried it, but would really like to. Here are 8 tips to help you get into yoga and make your routine much easier.

This may seem obvious, but it is still a good idea. Choose easier poses to start out with. There are poses for all levels of skill in yoga. Just pick the ones that do not seem hard and work your way up to the more difficult ones. You will be surprised how quickly you move up.

If there are exercises or poses that are recommended to work into a difficult pose, do them. Do not just jump into an incredibly difficult pose when your muscles are cold and tight. This is the way to injure yourself.

If the pose you are trying for the first time is supposed to be done with your arms raised, try it with your arms down the first few times. If you are leaning forward, bend your legs a little. Also, bend them when you are coming up from a forward bend into a standing position. This will make it easier to come up from the pose. The strength and flexibility will come with time. Do not get in too much of a hurry.

Instead of getting in a hurry, remember that if you keep practicing regularly, then you will progress. You can not expect to become an expert at anything without diligent practice. Yoga is the same. Keep at it.

If you need to, rest between yoga poses. There is nothing wrong with this. If it will help you get into the next yoga pose with more accuracy and skill, then be sure to rest when it is necessary.

Your movements should be slow. Your breathing should be calm. If you are out of breath, you should rest. If you are reacting to a difficult pose and forget to breath out, try taking a warm, calming breath as soon as you realize the problem.

If you are finding it difficult to hold the pose as long as you are instructed, then hold it for a shorter time. Or, you can also try to flow in and out of the difficult pose a few times. Never jerk or bounce.

During the yoga poses, your muscles should be relaxed. Do not grip or tense them. It is very important to keep your face relaxed and keep your teeth unclenched. Strive to have a soft gaze with your eyes.

Yoga should never hurt or make you uncomfortable. It is a gentle exercise meant to help you get healthy, into shape, and relax your mind. Hopefully, these tips will help you get the most enjoyment possible out of your yoga practice.

SOURCE

Brown, Christina. "The Yoga Bible". 2003. Godsfield Press. Alresford Hampshire. UK.