Yoga for Beginners

Want to feel a burst of energy that lasts the whole day long? Why not try doing yoga.

Yoga is one of the most ancient tradition of India. The word yoga has its roots in the Sanskrit language and means to merge, join or unite. Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling the breath and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas, yoga creates harmony. Yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions and is a tool that allows us to withdraw from the chaos of the world and find a quiet space within. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to establish a healthy, vibrant and balanced approach to living.

For a beginner, it is always advisable to practice yoga with a cool mind, with proper awareness of your body rhythm, and with full concentration on breathing pattern. You should never force your body to achieve final pose.

4 basic steps to starting a yoga practice. 

1. Learn how to breathe The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures.  Most importantly, breathe through the nose into the belly.
2. Start and end with a brief Meditation. Start with Sukhasana or the easy pose with a short meditation to center yourself and bring your focus inside.
3. Use Basic Yoga Poses
4. End with Shavasana (Relaxation Pose) Always end your yoga practice with Shavasana, resting and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.

Rest is a must after every pose to normalize the breathing pattern and to observe the effect of yoga on the body.

As yoga starts its teachings from simple practices and reaches up to advance ones, it is advisable for a beginner to always start yoga with basic poses without neglecting the body’s limitation. Read yoga tips for a quick glance on what to do’s on yoga.