Benefits of a Yoga Practice
A consistent yoga practice strengthens and stretches the body, improves balance, it’s low-impact, reduces stress, allows you to quiet the mind and control your breath.
Yoga is for everyone. It is for every: body type, level and age. Many people that haven’t ever done yoga are afraid to start because they don’t know the poses or flows. The terminology can be intimidating with words like “Downward Dog” “Pigeon Pose” “Warrior”- etc. Don’t worry about any of that - we are all beginners at some point and everyone’s body stretches and moves differently. You do what you can without comparing.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you begin your yoga practice:
Set Your Intention:
Determine why you want to start practicing yoga. Whether it's for relaxation, flexibility, stress relief, or overall well-being, having a clear intention can guide your practice.
Choose a Comfortable Space:
Find a quiet and clutter-free area where you can practice without distractions. It doesn't need to be a large space, just enough room for your yoga mat.
Select Your Equipment:
All you need to start is a comfortable yoga mat. You might also consider having yoga props like blocks, straps, and blankets to help with certain poses.
Start with Basic Poses:
Begin with simple and foundational poses. Some great poses for beginners include Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Child's Pose (Balasana), and Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I).
Follow Online Tutorials:
At the bottom of this page, I have a great suggestion for an app that is free and works well for beginners, intermediate & advance practices.
Focus on Breathing:
Pay attention to your breath while practicing yoga. Deep and mindful breathing helps you stay present and calm. Inhale and exhale through your nose, and let your breath guide your movements.
Start Slowly:
Don't push yourself too hard in the beginning. Start with shorter sessions, such as 10-20 minutes, and increase the duration as you become more comfortable and what your time allows.
Practice Regularly:
Consistency is key. Aim to practice yoga a few times a week to experience the benefits. Even a short daily practice can make a difference.
Listen to Your Body:
Yoga is about connecting with your body. If a pose feels uncomfortable or painful, don't force it. Use props or modify the pose to make it accessible for your body.
Stay Patient and Kind to Yourself:
Yoga is a journey, not a destination. Progress might be slow, but every time you step on the mat, you're making progress towards your goals.
Remember that yoga is a personal journey, and there's no right or wrong way to practice. It's about finding what feels good for you and honoring your body's needs. Over time, you'll build strength, flexibility, and a deeper connection with yourself through your yoga practice.
Benefits to practicing Yoga:
Yoga increases flexibility & stability
Flexibility is important as we age. It helps prevent injuries and keeps our bodies healthy with less falls & injuries.
Yoga strengthens your muscles
After the age of 30, we start to loose muscle mass, which can result in reduced mobility. The poses challenge us to strengthen our muscles no matter what our level we are at.
Yoga improves posture
Maintaining good posture can help reduce neck pain, increase energy levels, improves digestion, and helps you straighten your spine.
Yoga helps reduce chronic pain
Not only does yoga improve flexibility and range of motion, but it also reduces inflammation, which may contribute to pain.
Yoga reduces stress & anxiety
Every yoga practice ends with what we call Corpse Pose (Savasana) - I love this part of the workout. A time to relax and feel calm - putting aside your to-do list. But there are other poses like child’s pose, bridge pose that help activate our rest-and-digest response that helps us find calm.
I love my yoga classes & instructors. They do a beautiful job incorporating strength, flexibility, balance and focus on releasing tension. I make sure I do yoga at least 4 times a week. If you want to practice yoga on your own this app Yoga Studio is wonderful. I love using it when I travel or when I’m unable to get to the health club.
This is what the app looks like - just go into your app store and find this to download:
