Starting Yoga

It is great to make yoga an integral part of your life at any age. Yoga is a combination of both physical as well as mental discipline and aims to unite the mind and body. Experts believe that a person can function best when their mind and body are in control. How often have you cursed yourself for your lack of stamina or control over your emotions and actions? Well, yoga is the simple solution to most of our problems. As a beginner to yoga there are several things that you need to know before you begin.

Before you begin

• There are several different schools of yoga and there is no one form that is the best. It is a matter of choosing a style of yoga that best meets your needs and requirements. If you are an athlete and looking for a way to increase your focus and concentration then you would need to choose a different form of yoga than someone who has a lower level of fitness and is looking at yoga as a way to lose weight.

• Yoga involves both the body and mind. It includes performing ‘asanas’ or postures and holding them for some time, breathing techniques and meditative states. While some schools of yoga may perform the ‘asanas’ with the recitation of mantras, others may use a few minutes at the start and end of the class for meditation. Still others may include a physically intensive program of exercise. As a beginner it is important to spend some time understanding the different schools of yoga and choosing one that holds the right appeal for you.

• Yoga must be performed under the supervision of a trained instructor. The synchronization of ‘an asanas’ and breathing technique is crucial to derive the benefits for each ‘asana’ that is performed.

• Speak to your yoga instructor before you join a class. You should be comfortable with your instructor and confident in his or her skills and knowledge. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

• Ideally opt for a class that doesn’t have too many students. As a beginner you will need the attention of your instructor and ideally your class should not have more than 10-12 students.

• Choose a yoga class that is convenient for you in terms of time as well as location. This will ensure that you don’t miss classes simply because getting to class takes a long time.

• Yoga should be performed on an empty stomach and there should be a gap of at least 2-3 hours between your last meal or snack and your yoga routine. While the early morning hours are ideal for yoga you could also opt for an evening class if it suits you better.
Yoga focuses on the self and is one of the only exercise regimes that don’t leave any space for competition. It is all about you and how your body and mind progress and gain from yoga. It is important that you tune into what your body is trying to tell you. Approached with the right attitude yoga has tremendous benefits to offer you and can be life changing.