YOGA FOR BEGINNERSSTRIVE FOR A PERFECT FEELING INSTEAD OF PERFECT POSES.
Yoga is all about practice, not perfection, especially when
you’re a beginner. While you’re learning the poses, don’t
worry about what you might look like in a mirror; focus
on how you feel in the moment. Do you have the right
combo of relaxation and strength? Are you forcing the
pose? Are you concentrating on your breathing?
REMEMBER TO BREATHE. This is a difficult one to do, but
the more you can concentrate on finding a nice, steady,
even breath, the easier it will be for you to get into the
poses and find that perfect feeling. Also, forgetting to
breathe is a big indicator that you’re pushing yourself too
far. If this happens, back out of the pose enough so that
you can return to your breath.
STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS. Keep your eyes
on your own mat. Focus on yourself. Don’t try to keep
up with the person next to you or the video you found
online. This is your practice, and it’s not meant to look
like anyone else’s.
MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. Stick to a pace that works for
you. Practice tapas to create positive changes in your life
and svadhyaya, the act of self-study, to find what you need
to improve. Pushing too hard is never good. Again, the idea
of “no pain, no gain” does not work in yoga. Listen to your
body; don’t push it to a place it is not meant to go yet.
CLEAR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS FROM YOUR HEAD. Get rid of
the voice that says, “I can’t do this” or “I’ll never do this”
or “I’m not good at this.” If you are on your mat and
you’ve showed up to practice, then you can do this, you
will do this, and you are good at this.