Yoga can be a personal choice when it comes to choosing an exercise routine, but there are many people who find yoga to be very intimidating. If you ask a friend to join you in yoga practice, you often hear them say “I am not a yoga person” or “not flexible enough for yoga.” But the reality is, yoga is not just for those with a toned body and flexi muscles, it is for everyone.
There are plenty of benefits of yoga. Studies have shown and history has revealed that yoga is way more than just physical exercise that one struggles to fit into their schedule, it has a mental, emotional and a spiritual aspect too. Although our lives are busier than a New York Time Square street, but people who have experienced its benefits somehow make time for yoga practice.
Not every yoga practice gives you a blissful feeling or changes your world overnight. But the question is what makes one practice a pathway to spiritual enlightenment, while the other a battle to get through with? Perhaps it is not about the instructor or the place where you perform yoga; it is about what you do to get the most out of your yoga routine.
Here are five amazing tricks for you to get the most out of yours;
Breathing is key
Have you ever thought why there is so much emphasis on the breathing techniques in yoga? It really does not matter whether you touch your toes or not. What really matters in yoga is breathing, if you are breathing in and out mindfully, you are doing it right. Yoga is all about controlling the breath.
You can actually produce different states of mind by just changing your breathing patterns. Observe your breath throughout the yoga practice. If you are on the yoga mat or off the mat, inhaling and exhaling will give you more out of what you do. It will keep you relaxed, calm and poised and it will give you the experience to appreciate the moments in your yoga exercise.
Talk to the instructor before class
Arriving early to your yoga class will give you extra minutes to talk to the instructor before the class begins. You may ask any question on your mind.
Make sure you tell your instructor about any past injury or surgery you’ve had. They will guide you through accordingly and tell you anything you need to know about the yoga class if you are doing it for the first time and help you practice yoga safely and blissfully.
Practice yoga in mornings before breakfast
Practicing yoga on an empty stomach can help you make the most out of your regular practice. It is also been advised to avoid any water intake before or immediately after yoga practice. Practicing yoga in the morning is thought to be the best as it keeps energy levels high throughout the day.
We are normally stiffer and active when we wake up than at the end of the day. Practicing yoga in the morning when the atmosphere is all calm and quiet makes the practice more sacred.
However, if the morning time doesn’t suit you due to your busy schedule, don’t let it be a reason to miss your daily practice, instead choose a time which seems convenient to you.
In fact, other than the suitable morning hours, it could be any time before lunch, evenings or even night time. Practicing yoga at these hours can be equally good for releasing the stress accumulated during the day and get a refreshed mind for a peaceful sleep.
But when you practice yoga all alone in wee hours of the morning, you are more connected with your mind, soul and body.
Pay heed to what your body tells you
Beginners may find yoga uncomfortable, but it is never supposed to be painful. You need to be gentle with your body by paying attention to how it feels. Know your boundaries and always be careful of your body’s sensitive areas.
You should know how to differentiate between the discomforts caused by having stiff hamstrings and the pain of over-stretching them. If you feel any pain or the posture is making you too uncomfortable to handle, come out of the pose.
Don’t force or push. Remember, practicing increasingly fast or stretching beyond what your body can take will not bring quick results. In fact, it may end up damaging your muscles.
Do not compare yourself with others
If you will compare yourself to that girl who is bending perfectly and warming up in a split, it will not be helpful for you. One of the advantages of yoga is that it gives you a chance to look inside yourself and discover your own limitations and capabilities. Once you compare yourself with others in your yoga class, you lose out on that benefit.
It won’t be wrong if we call yoga a fruit-laden tree because of its numerous benefits and rewarding experiences. To attain the yoga’s potent powers, you must practice daily with a set goal. With just a few tricks you can definitely make the most out of yoga practice. If you’re new to yoga, you can kickstart it by taking a beautiful yoga retreat! You’ll come back hungry for more.
Author Bio:
Alma Causey is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover lives and world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs.
Find her on Twitter:@Almacausey
