Learn How To Get The Most Our Of Your Yoga Class
Posted on December 6, 2009
Filed Under Fitness |
Yoga promotes flexibility and muscle strength, and benefits the body in so many other ways, by reducing stress, improving emotional and mental health, and balancing other body functions. Those who begin practicing regular yoga often start because they’ve heard how good it is for health. While it’s true that any practice of yoga is beneficial, it’s even better if you can maximize your success by following several guidelines.
Aim to arrive at your yoga class several minutes early to avoid rushing and to relax into a good yoga mindset. When you rush in at the last minute, it takes much longer to get into the flow of things, and you don’t get as much from the class as you could. If you have time for a drink of water or a trip to the bathroom, and maybe time for a stretch or brief meditation, you’ll be able to start your class in the right frame of mind.
Starting a yoga class with a positive intention is a great idea, as it provides an excellent focus for the class. The intention may be something as simple as remaining calm in volatile situations, developing more tolerance and love, enjoying healthy foods, or on making time for spirituality. The intention simply needs to be something which is positive and reflects the spirit of yoga.
If you have been experiencing any physical problems or illness recently let your yoga instructor know, as they can advise you on poses you shouldn’t attempt (or can offer a modified pose), and can assist if you have any problems. If you are relatively new to yoga you should also let your instructor know, as there will be poses you can’t do without causing a strain or an injury. While you may be anxious to reap the full benefits of yoga quickly, everything worthwhile takes time, and yoga is no exception! Take it easily and work within your own limits. Trying to do too much too soon may end up doing you more harm than good, and goes against the philosophy of yoga, which is geared towards healing.
After your class, take the time to digest what you have learned. Don’t simply rush out, jump back into the speed of life and forget why you attended yoga in the first place. Try and keep the peace of mind you developed in your yoga class, and think over what you learned. When you are a beginner you’ll have a lot to learn and remember, and it will take some time. If you can focus on learning and remembering just one or two new poses per lesson, you’ll find that it won’t take long before you know all the basic poses.
Don’t eat for at least two to three hours before attending a yoga class, firstly because digestion takes energy and can make you lethargic, but also because cramps and nausea are an unfortunate result of performing some yoga poses too soon after eating (generally forward bends and twists which utilize the midsection).
Beginning a yoga class with the correct mindset is one way of maximizing yoga sessions, and so is focusing for the class on a positive intention, which can distract the mind from outside worries. Along with taking the right attitude to your yoga class, it’s just as important to maintain positivity and peace afterwards.
Ana Paula Hernandez has been learning and teaching yoga for years, and enjoys writing about it too. Her strongest belief is that developing the correct yoga poses and yoga postures is key to maximizing benefits.
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