Yoga
My Experience The first few times I tried Yoga, I hated it. It was slow, it was boring, I couldn't get into some of the positions and I was in a class of fairly older people who could. I was bored and embarrassed. I then tried doing Yoga at home. I just looked up a YouTube video and put it on the TV to have a Yoga session at home. I still couldn't get into all of the poses but at least I could pause the video and give it my best shot over and over without the embarrassment. After, I gained some flexibility, I took another class and really enjoyed it. Yoga is slow for a reason. It's really hard and I commend anyone over the age of 25 using Yoga as a regular practice. Today, we'll talk Yoga for beginners. What is it? Yoga is a methodical form of physical fitness that introduces breath control for relaxation. It is a great way to start positive thinking and meditation for many things such as body, mind, and soul. It is comprised of different spiritual techniques and practices to reach an end goal and level of unification and awareness. Common Types of Yoga
HATHA Hatha yoga focuses on the pairing of static poses with mindful breathing techniques to build strength and endurance for mediation. Classes are generally slower paced making it easy for a beginner to jump right in. Just know that the length of holding the pose may be a bit more demanding than a beginners class. VINYASA Vinyasa yoga may be one of the most popular styles practiced in the West. This style incorporates sequences of traditional standing postures, breathing techniques, and movement to help build strength and increase flexibility. The sequence is almost like dancing which is could explain why it’s often referred to as”Flow.” This class may be faster than a Hatha yoga class. IYENGAR Iyengar yoga is open to all levels of practice and focuses on accurate alignment. Poses are extended to allot time to correct these alignments. This is a great way to measure progress through the practice. Most classes uses props for accuracy such as blocks, chairs, straps, etc. BIKRAM Bikram is also known as “Hot Yoga.” This just means that its done in a room that’s set to over 100°F but can be done using any style of yoga. This heated situation works deep into your muscles and makes it easier to help sweat out toxins. It’s recommended that you drink plenty of water before attending and bring a towel. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor first. RESTORATIVE Restorative yoga is nice and slow. Poses are long, restful, and often done with props for sense of support. This is open to all levels of practice and have a high benefit factor for those in chronic pain or those who need to recover from sickness or injury. Ready to start? Yoga can be learned at home if you're too shy to attend a class right now. I completely understand and went through the same thing. You'll sit in the back of the class wondering if you're doing it right. Or asking yourself how can that lady over 60 stretch her legs like that? Yoga, that's how! As much as I like the convenience of learning from home on my big screen, I do highly recommend taking a class from a certified instructor. You can do this in a group setting or find someone that offers private lessons. This way, you'll know if you're practicing correctly and safely. Still just prefer to practice yoga at home? No worries, I've put together a list of apps and YouTube channels to get you started. You can find them here.