Get Started With Yoga
One of the great things I like about yoga is that despite the great benefits that it produces, it has no great costs associated with other exercise and fitness disciplines. There is not specific yoga training equipment that one has to use in order to obtain the desired results and there is no such thing as the perfect environment required for practicing yoga. Nor is the practice of yoga outside the abilities of most individuals, no matter their current age or condition.
This because yoga is more than just a physical activity for the health benefits of exercise. It is also a state of mind and an entire life style which can be adopted in the whole or sampled in parts.
It is for this reason that your will, as well as your beliefs, both strong ones and weak ones, and personal attitude about this philosophical path are what really matter.
Your attitude, a little knowledge of the practice, together with a balanced and healthy diet, based on natural food, are what are needed for preparing yourself to get started with yoga
. While it may seem strange that food is a factor in getting started with yoga, but what we eat can strongly affect both our mind and our soul, so it is crucial to mind what we eat a little in advance of beginning a yoga practice.
Even though you really do not need any specially designated or designed place for performing a yoga session, make sure, when selecting the area where you will be having your session, to choose an enjoyable place as far away from distractions...such as radio, street noise, kids, TV...as possible. The place also needs to be clean and quiet and, as well ventilated as possible. A blanket is one accessory that many feel they absolutely need for comfort when carrying out the exercises, and meditation in particular. These are performed in either sitting or lying positions and often occur at the end of the session, when you may be slightly sweaty. Lying or sitting still may chill you a little, but, however, a towel or a mat, could work to help you keep warm and comfortable, as well.
The clothes you wear during a yoga session, should be comfortable and loose, such as training suits, sweat pants and a t-shirt, shorts or loose pajamas. Some people would rather wear no clothes at all, and do their yoga in the nude, but, most yoga practitioners put something on, especially if the yoga session is not a private one.
As far as yoga equipment is concerned, your first item, and the last, until you know a bit more about YOUR desires and needs, only needs to be a yoga mat. These are available at places such as Walmart, or can be purchased online from yoga supply outlets such as Wai Lana Yoga.
It is also important to do yoga on an empty, or nearly empty, stomach. You should wait one or two hours, depending on your digestion and the size of the meal, before starting a yoga session. As breathing is a key element in yoga training, do not forget to also clean your nostrils and your throat. While there are more advanced techniques for the experienced yogi or yogini, at first simply blowing your nose and taking a small drink of water may be all you need.
If you are not sure about what time of day is best for your yoga session, don't worry about it. Depending on the person, and their personal schedule, both morning and evening practices can produce excellent results very beneficial to the health of both your body and mind. Finding the "right" time to do your yoga may be a trial and error process, but, most people find that yoga any time of day feels better than no yoga at all.
Performing the exercises in the morning can contribute to a good feeling which you carry with you for the rest of the day. A morning yoga session improves your vitality level and tends to help you stay focused on making good choices and maintaining the calmness experienced in yoga meditation.
On the other hand, many people find that an evening yoga practice, in addition to the physical benefits of yoga, can help induce a restful feeling for the evening, helping brush away the mental, and physical, debris of the day, leading to more peaceful and refreshing sleep.
In fact, with more experience, you may learn to do a more demanding practice, such as power yoga, in the morning, and a more restful and relaxing session in the evening.
While it should leave you feeling like you've done something, your yoga session should not leave you feeling exhausted, or "spent". Do not hesitate to take a break, especially at first, when you feel tired. Actually, short breaks are common, between difficult exercises. Keep in mind that even just 15 minutes of correct yoga practice can produce unexpected results on your body and mind.
As a final thought; remember that the most important thing when practicing yoga, is your attitude and your desire to uncover, and benefit from, the incredible sensations and benefits of this "ancient" system of health and fitness.
