Time Required
Yoga does NOT require a great time commitment. You can practice for short periods (15-20 minutes) daily (or on most days); or you can limit your practice to once or twice a week for longer periods (45 minutes to 1.5 hours).
Motivation
One great motivator for practicing yoga is good health and a sense of well being.
Making yoga a part of each day, even for a short period, helps keep you more in tune with your physical and mental condition. You see and feel positive changes. This awareness, in turn, motivates you to continue.
Location
One of the great things about yoga is that you can really practice it anywhere. All you need is a flat surface and enough room to move around.
The best location is one where it¡¯s quiet and you can practice without distraction. The temperature should be comfortable ¨C not too hot or cold. A mat or rug can help provide a non-slip surface.
Patience
Some yoga positions appear deceivingly simple. They are not.
So be patient with yourself. Over time your flexibility and balance will improve. With constant practice, you¡¯ll be doing positions effortlessly.
Begin with simple poses and work your way up to the more advanced.
Finding Retreats
You can find retreats in a number of ways, but here are a few you might find helpful: www.yogafinder.com (includes International listings); www.yogasite.com (includes an extensive event calendar); and www.yogajournal.com as well as the Yoga Journal magazine.
Reaching ¡°Your Edge¡±
"Your edge" is a phrase you may hear in practice. Did you ever wonder what it means?
Well, basically, what it means is that you feel physically challenged ¨C BUT - you are still able to maintain a steady breathing rhythm.
Beginners find this difficult. If you¡¯re an intermediate or advanced student, you can improve your practice by always trying to reach ¡°your edge.¡±
Safety
It¡¯s definitely important not to stress or strain during your practice. If any position causes pain or discomfort, ease back on what you¡¯re doing or stop completely. You should NOT feel pain or discomfort.
Always be safe and do only what feels comfortable to YOU. Each person is different; in yoga you can celebrate that difference.
Best Time
You can practice anytime of day, just be sure to allow sufficient time. If you can¡¯t practice for one long period, practice in a couple of smaller periods. It¡¯s important that you not rush, and that you allow time for relaxation.
Eating
Do NOT eat before you practice yoga. Wait at least two hours after a meal. Wait at least one hour after a snack.
Positions
A good balanced practice should include some of each of the following types of poses:
- Standing postures
- Seated postures
- Prone postures (facing floor)
- Supine postures (back to the floor)
- Inversions
Remember, to practice using the pose/counterpose principle and to balance both sides of the body.