How to do Yoga

There’s a wealth of available data on the practice of yoga to the extent that it’s all too easy to feel overloaded with information. This is true especially for those who are simply curious about yoga or are thinking of signing up for their first beginner class. This is why we put together a simple guide of the basic information you may want to know, such as the benefits of yoga, different types of poses, as well as the clothes and materials you will need to get started.

Different Types of Yoga Poses

Yoga poses or asanas can be classified into different types according to difficulty level, benefits, and how they are performed. By the latter we mean, sitting poses, standing, inversions, bends and backbends, twists, etc. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged when you see ads of advanced yogis doing difficult positions, thinking you will never be that flexible. But truth be told, anyone can reach that level of flexibility as long as a regular and progressive yoga exercise routine is followed.

There are also certain poses that are especially recommended if you want to do yoga for a specific purpose (meditation, physical therapy, stress relief, weight loss, etc.). For example, if you want to do yoga for back pain relief, you can do forward and back bends, pelvic tilts, and variations of the Bridge Pose. The most important thing to remember when doing yoga exercise is to perform at a pace you are comfortable with; don’t strain yourself to bend as low or reach as far as you see the others do. What’s important is you do the poses with correct body alignment while taking full and steady breaths.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is a holistic practice; meaning, even if you are doing yoga for physical reasons like fitness or weight loss, you will still reap its mental and spiritual benefits. Those who do yoga regularly tend to have improved overall health (especially spinal and respiratory), improved posture, an increased sense of calm and inner peace, better focus and concentration, toned muscles, increased strength and flexibility, and stress management skills.

Yoga is also beneficial for women who are on their period or menopausal stage, and even for pregnant women to help them cope with the physical changes and demands of pregnancy. And all this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless other benefits you will gain from doing yoga that all lead to better health and an improved sense of well-being.

Things You Need: Yoga Mat and Yoga Clothes

One of the best things about yoga is that you don’t need a lot to get started. All you need is a trusty yoga mat and comfortable yoga clothes, and you’re good to go. No need to break the bank to buy machines or weights, and you can even get a yoga mat for as low as $8 or $10. If you don’t have the time, money, or energy to go to a studio regularly and practice yoga as part of a class, you can also simply buy instructional yoga DVDs and learn yoga DIY style.

When choosing between different types of yoga mats, always go for the one that’s most comfortable for you and suits your needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Don’t fall into the trap of buying the thickest mat available, because this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is also the most comfortable. Also, always choose yoga mats with slip resistance and a good grip.

The same principle of putting comfort first also applies when it comes to shopping for yoga clothes. Go for tops and bottoms that are made of breathable and sweat-absorbent material, and have enough stretch in them to allow wide range of upper and lower body movement. For those interested in doing Hot Yoga, you may want to wear minimal clothing so heat can escape the body and you can cool down faster.