Well listen up inflexible people, male or female...you don't need to be flexible to practice yoga. Yoga was originally practiced by men; they would sit all day meditating. The physical practice of yoga didn't start until their bodies began to deteriorate from sitting so long. The only requirement for learning and practicing yoga is that you have an open mind, you're alive and breathing.
YOGA TIPS FOR BEGINNERS:
1. Breathing is the most important part of yoga. Focusing on your breath during poses can help you soften and go deeper in poses. Breathe into areas of your body that contain tension. As you exhale visualize tension dissolving and releasing from your body.
2. Wear the proper yoga attire. Avoid wearing socks, unless it's yoga-friendly socks, specially made to practice yoga with...the one with grips on the bottom. Regular socks can cause injury because you will slip on the mat. Make sure you also wear comfortable clothing that allows your body to breathe.
3. Release your ego...there is no competition in yoga. Listen to your body and don't force a pose. If you fall out of a pose, are tired or out of breath, simply go into a resting pose like child's or downward-facing dog. This is your practice and your body so make sure you honor it.
4. Avoid heavy meals before your yoga practice. I once made this mistake. You cannot practice yoga to your full potential with a stomach full of food. Eating a piece of fruit or having a cup of tea before your practice is ok, but avoid a Thanksgiving feast prior to your yoga practice.
5. Practice with acceptance. Place no judgment on yourself. No judgment means no injury. Some days you may find your balance or flexibility is better than others. I sure do. You have good yoga days and not so good yoga days. Practicing with awareness is important. Listen to your body and don't force it if it's screaming in pain.
6. Look within yourself. Do what's right for you... it is your body not the person's next to you with their arms twisted behind the back and head on the floor. Look within yourself and feel what's going on inside with your body. Practice a pose and return to back to mountain pose, closing your eyes and noticing any effects within your body from the pose.
7. Move with grace riding your breath. Use minimal energy and practice effortlessness, as you float from pose to pose riding your breath. You can achieve this by using small muscles to activate large muscles while in poses. Channeling lines of internal energy and power during poses and your everyday life conserves your life force.
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