Last year, I posted 10 Practical Tips to a Successful Yoga Practice. Given that so many people choose January to explore yoga, I thought it worthy to repost...with an addition. Yoga is a meditation in motion. But once you've started to practice yoga & movement on your mat, it's nice to round out your practice with a seated meditation.
Sitting down & meditating can seem daunting. But start with just 5 minutes a day. Some people like to start their day with meditation. Others close their day with meditation. Still other do both - morning & evening. You wonder..."How will I find the time?" If you commit to it, especially just 5 minutes, you'll find time for meditation just like you find time to brush your teeth. It's starts with commitment & it is a practice also, so be compassionate & just give it a try.
10 Practical Tips to a Successful Yoga Practice.
1. Know where you're going
I'll
admit, I get a little nuts about this. I like to take a look at
mapquest first, because my GPS has been know to make mistakes. I like
to be sure I'm going to the correct place & know where to park, if
that's an issue.
2. Arrive early
Especially
if you're new to a studio, leave yourself enough time (15-20 minutes)
to get oriented to the studio. To talk to the teacher or whoever is
manning the desk & get your questions answered. There's usually a
waiver to fill out & that takes time too. Be considerate.
3. Invest in a good mat
There's
nothing that will complicate your practice faster than a cheap,
slippery mat. I've had countless students buy bargain mats at big box
stores, only to wind up investing in a good mat after a couple of
slippery practices. I'm a huge fan of the Jade travel mat - you stick
to it & it's easy to clean. And the Manduka ProLite is great too
(it's more expensive, but come with a lifetime warranty)
4. If you have a serious injury, let the teacher know.
Teachers
like to assist students - they like to help students find stability in
poses & get more out of the practice. But if you have an injury, an
assist can make your injury worse & make a teacher feel like
they've hurt you, rather than helped you.
5. Be prepared - take a mat, towel & water.
6. Hydrate
What more can I say...hydrate.
7.
Listen to your body.
I've heard stories of teachers banging on
bathroom doors telling students they need to come out & rejoin the
class. I prefer a more compassionate practice - a teacher is just a
guide. Even as a brand new student, no one knows your body better than
you.
8. Get a friend to commit with you
Like anything, if you have someone to help you along & motivate you, you'll be more inclined to stick with it.
9. Be consistent
Patanjali
says yoga is meant to be practiced with love, enthusiasm &
consistency. If you want real results - mental, phsyical &
emotional, you need to practice several times a week.
10. Have fun
Yes,
yoga can be intense - especially if it's a heated, power class...like we offer at Sanctuary Power Yoga (
www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com). But it's also meant to be enjoyed.
Have fun. Lighten up. Don't worry about mastering it. It's a practice
after all.
