Best Time – Yoga Practice Tips
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.
Benefits – Yoga Practice Tips
Yoga retreats have many benefits including:
- a time to reconnect with yourself without everyday distractions
- interaction with other like-minded people
- physical and mental relaxation
- improved awareness and a sense of calm/peace
- learn more or improve physical aspects of practice
- opportunity to try different practices
- a chance for meditation and quiet contemplation
Eating – Yoga Practice Tips
Do NOT eat before you practice yoga. Wait at least two hours after a meal. Wait at least one hour after a snack.
Safety – Yoga Practice Tips
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.
Positions – Yoga Practice Tips
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.
Beginners – Yoga Practice Tips
It’s very important for beginners to practice with an instructor.
Although it is possible to learn yoga without instruction, the benefits of a teacher are significant. For example, a teacher can show the proper way to move into positions, and proper alignment once you’re in the position. A teacher can also help you make minor adjustments that will improve the benefits you gain from a position.
Time Required – Yoga Practice Tips
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).
Patience – Yoga Practice Tips
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 – Yoga Practice Tips
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.
Location – Yoga Practice Tips
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 – not too hot or cold. A mat or rug can help provide a non-slip surface.