If you're considering embarking on a journey toward wellness, yoga poses can be a useful tool in improving your mental, emotional and physical health. The deep breathing exercises coupled with mindful meditation techniques and gentle postures have a plethora of benefits. Those who engage in the ancient practice often experience increased flexibility, enhanced vitality and even a greater capacity to control their emotions. But it can be difficult for beginners to get motivated to join a studio, and once they do they may be intimidated by those around them who learn and develop at different speeds. If you are joining or have just become part of a yoga for beginners class, consider these helpful tips for finding success:
Create a Practice Space at Home
Going to the studio is an important aspect of being part of a yoga community. Doing so allows you to bond with others on a similar path and lean on people for support during your journey to wellness. However, there are benefits to having a studio in your own home. Sometimes, there simply isn't time in the day to go to the studio, and an at-home gym allows you to stick to your yoga routine in cases such as this. Creating a comfortable space to engage in yoga poses is not a difficult or expensive task. A yoga mat laid out in a spot large enough to move about freely is all you need, but you can enhance your at-home space with meditation music, soothing candles and other elements to relax the senses.
Keep a Practice Journal
When you first start taking yoga for beginners classes, you will be exposed to a plethora of unfamiliar concepts and new information. It can be difficult to absorb all of this data at once, but a practice journal can help you keep track of and make sense of this information. Take notes during class when you're not preoccupied in your exercises, and use the journal to keep track of your own insights as well.
Don't Neglect Meditation
Many people focus entirely on the physical aspects of yoga poses – the gentle movements, soft stretching and soothing postures. However, mindful meditation is an important aspect of the practice. Working the body alone is not enough to build real inner strength and enhance the mind-body connection. Think of meditation as a complement to your poses rather than a separate part. As you become more proficient in clearing your mind of negative thoughts and reaching new levels of relaxation, you may find that your body and mind are more at ease, pliable and prepared for the exercises of the day. You can even practice your meditation and breathing exercises at home, work or other places to incorporate the calming technique into your everyday routine.