Benefits of Yoga, Class Guidelines & Tips

Benefits of Yoga

Many people are tentative to try yoga because they think they have bend like a pretzel or be super athletic already. Not so! Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, flexibility or health - a good yoga instructor can tell you the right class for you to attend, or customize a practice just for you!

Yoga is the great equalizer. Two people can walk into a yoga class, one very flexible with little strength and the other stiff (often from unbalanced strength training) with little flexibility. The same poses done by these individuals will tighten up and strengthen the overly flexible person, and loosen and bring range of motion to the stiff person.

Overweight people, pregnant women, older people, the handicapped, healthy people, and athletes can practice yoga and gain from it's many benefits to the spirit, mind & body.

There are many types of yoga suitable for anyone and poses can always be modified to fit an individual's needs.

Some benefits you can provide yourself through practicing yoga:
Energy
Reduced Body Fat
Athletic Conditioning
Flexibility
No Impact
Sharper Mind
Strength
Youthfulness
Longevity
Toning
Emotional & Mental Balance Self-Awareness
Balance Concentration/Focus
Skeletal/Spinal Alignment
Posture
Overall Wellness
Confidence

Yoga may improve the following:

Circulation
Skeletal Issues
Digestion
Lymphatic Issues
Respiration
Endocrine System
Reproduction
Nervous System
Muscular Issues

There are also countless applications of yoga used to relieve symptoms of specific ailments in daily life. Yoga is preventative maintenance against disease and uncomfortable, ill conditions as we age.

Yoga is an exceptional supplement to enhance performance in other activities and sports, such as running, golf, cycling, swimming, full-contact sports, horseback riding, gardening, on & on.... or on its own for fitness and homeopathic health.

Practicing yoga, or any healthful dedication, you'll find inspires you to make healthier choices in all areas of your life...
Physically, Emotionally, Relationally

Yoga Class Guidelines & Tips
Yoga is for YOU. It is your time. Turn your attention inward. Yoga is non-competitive and non-comparing. Do not mind anyone else in the class or compare yourself with anyone. Refrain from judging yourself or others. We each have different bodies at different stages. Be in tune with your body. Respect your body's physiology - it may vary from day to day. Be honest with yourself and do what feels good for you.

Wear comfortable and supportive clothing

Use all the props you need whenever you need or want them.

When practicing a pose, settle in to the correct form first, using props if needed, then challenge yourself by releasing further into the pose while breathing and letting go, trying to maintain correct form. Pace yourself: Go to the edge in challenging yourself, but don't go over it.

Practice with bare feet - to aid balance and energy flow.

Remove all objects such as watches, glasses, jewelry, etc.

Avoid a big meal at least 2 hours before practice.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adults should drink 1/2 their weight in ounces of water every day.

Be present in the moment - forget about the past or future. Don't worry about getting anywhere.

Remember you don't have to be flexible or strong to practice yoga. You will gain these abilities the more you practice.
Be regular in your practice for better benefits. Over time you will notice advancements in your poses. Like anything, the more you do it, the easier it gets.

Quiet the mind and stay focused: Effort without Tension, Relaxation with Awareness.

Breath (Pranayama) is an integral piece of yoga practice, but often not understood. Here is the key:

As a guideline, we inhale as we move into any opening, expanding, or back-bending poses, and exhale as we move into any closing or forward-bending poses.

Gently coax your body into the asanas (poses) through your pranayama (breath), using internally verbalized mental ques.

Example:
Inhale, spine/legs longer;
Exhale, release further into the pose.

Inhale, breath in softness;
Exhale, release tension away through your breath.

Inhale, energize the body;
Exhale, relax into the pose.